The Division of Medical Services rules allowing six refills per month, add certain medications that do not count toward the monthly prescription cap, and allow up to nine medically necessary prescriptions per month for Living Choices Assisted Living Program clients went into effect on January 1, 2022. The rule also specifies that patients must pay for their own medications beyond the maximum benefit, remove the extension of benefits provisions, and revise refill requirements.  

Also in Arkansas, the Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance (DPSQA) issued a COVID-19 Response Manual. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Prior to the adjournment of the three-day special session that Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) convened December 6th, both houses approved legislation repealing the Insulin Rebate law passed during the regular session earlier this year. Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signed the bills into law – SB7- Act9 and HB1005- Act 13 on December 9th.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) is convening a Special Session of the Legislature on Tuesday, December 6^th to deal with income tax reform and repeal of the Insulin Rebate law (Act 1104/HB 1709).

Also in Arkansas, the Department of Health final rules amending the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to provide for an alternate method of reporting and allow the department to request prescription copies from dispensers for evaluation go into effect on December 3, 2021.

Finally in Arkansas. The Division of Medical Services adopted a rule revising the rate methodology and reimbursement rates for covered long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) that went into effect on December 1, 2021.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Division of Medical Services is holding a virtual rulemaking hearing on October 20th to consider proposed rules to allow six refills per month, add certain medications that do not count toward the monthly prescription cap, and allow up to nine medically necessary prescriptions per month for Living Choices Assisted Living Program clients. The rule also would specify that clients must pay for their own medications beyond the maximum benefit, remove the extension of benefits provisions, and revise refill requirements.  

Also in Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced on November 15th that individuals over 18 are eligible for the booster shot. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) and legislative leaders have finally reached an agreement on a tax cut package, so the Governor is now expected to make a formal statement soon announcing that he will convene a special session after Thanksgiving. NACDS has confirmed with several sources that the repeal of the Insulin Rebate law, Act 1104, will be an issue the legislature addresses. 

Also in Arkansas, the Governor has been assured by his Department of Human Services that the federal government will be granting a new waiver soon for the Medicaid expansion program first enacted in 2014.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Division of Medical Services (Medicaid) is seeking comments by November 8, 2021, on proposed rules that would allow six refills per month, add certain medications that do not count toward the monthly prescription cap, and allow up to nine medically necessary prescriptions per month for Living Choices Assisted Living Program clients. The rule specifies that clients must pay for their own medications beyond the maximum benefit, removes the extension of benefits provisions, and revises refill requirements.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) continues to work with legislative leaders to forge a consensus on income tax reductions before convening a special session this month. Pharmacies are advocating that the Governor include in his list of clean up items a repeal of the insulin rebate law (Act 1104) passed earlier this year.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, the Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director for Immunizations and Outbreak Response at the Arkansas Department of Health, shared statistics showing that pharmacies had administered at least 72% of the COVID vaccines in Arkansas, not counting those shots administered at hospital sites.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Arkansas lawmakers will return to the Capitol on September 29th to finalize the redistricting maps and conclude the regular session. Gov. Asa Hutchinson is waiting on legislators to reach a consensus on tax reform before calling a special session.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.