Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) appointed Jennifer Dillaha, M.D., as Director of the Department of Health. Since 2001, she has worked at the Department of Health leading the Agency’s health promotion efforts focused on population-based interventions to improve the health and well-being of all Arkansans. The Governor also appointed Renee Mallory, RN, BSN to the position as interim Secretary of Health. 

Also in Arkansas, the Department of Human Services Medicaid established a provider portal to accept applications for new providers as an individual practitioner so that pharmacists can order, render, and prescribe with the applicable CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) documentation. Recent legislation passed gave authority to pharmacists to test for flu and strep as well, along with other prescribing authority.  

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

Effective April 1, 2022, Medicaid began accepting applications for new providers as individual practitioners. Pharmacists that intend to be an Ordering, Rendering, and Prescribing (ORP) provider for pharmacy and medical claim billing, must enroll with Arkansas Medicaid. Applications may be submitted to the Provider Portal. For more information, contact the Provider Assistance Center at (501) 376-2211.  

Also in Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) appointed Jennifer Dillaha, M.D., as Director of the Department of Health. Since 2001, she has worked at the Department of Health leading the Agency’s health promotion efforts focused on population-based interventions to improve the health and well-being of all Arkansans. The Governor also appointed  Renee Mallory, RN, BSN to the position as interim Secretary of Health. 

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

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced that the Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero is resigning on May 6^th to take a job with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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

Since methamphetamine is currently the states’ greatest drug threat, the Department of Human Services (DHS) launched the “Me Over Meth” prevention campaign. 

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

Prior to adjourning the fiscal session sine die on March 15th, the House of Representatives selected Rep. Matthew Shepherd (R) to serve a third term as Speaker of the House when the 94th General Assembly convenes in January 2023. 

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

The Legislature convened its biennial fiscal session on February 14th.

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

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.