The Department of Health Care Services posted the following:

• September 2026 Pharmacy Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
• September 2026 Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Services Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
• August 2026 Pharmacy Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
• August 2026 Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Services Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
• July 2026 Pharmacy Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
• July 2026 Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Services Medi-Cal Update Bulletin

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: New Federal Reimbursement Limitations on Gender Affirming Care for Youth, Effective October 13, 2026.

Also in California, Medi-Cal is offering a new course titled Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Live Webinar (IO105LW). The course will provide information to registered outpatient pharmacies about certain clinical services, such as reviews of a Medi-Cal member’s medications, member education (for example, about how to correctly use medication) and follow-ups with members to ensure treatment efficacy.

Webinars for the MTM training will be held on the following dates:

• October 7 at 10:00 am
• October 27 at 10:00 am

Providers must register for the webinar through the Medi-Cal Learning Portal (MLP) and select the session they plan to complete to ensure enrollment.

Note: To register for the course, providers must have internet access and a user profile in the MLP. Google Chrome is the recommended web browser for accessing the MLP. Detailed instructions about the registration process and accessing webinar classes are available on the Outreach & Education page of the Medi-Cal Providers website.

For additional assistance, contact the Telephone Service Center (TSC) at 1-800-541-5555.

Finally in California, the NACDS/California Retailers Association and Medi-Cal Rx Standing Meeting will be held on October 12 at 1:00 pm Pacific. Please use the information below to join the call.

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 245 923 124 206 12

Passcode: pr3q2Tj6

Dial in by phone

+1 612-772-9010,,548080788# United States, Minneapolis

(844) 730-9010,,548080788# United States (Toll-free)

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 548 080 788#

As a reminder, please direct inquiries to the PBD inbox: Medi-Cal.PharmacyBenefits@dhcs.ca.gov. This inbox replaces the former DHCS RX Carve Out inbox.

Need more information or assistance?

• Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service Center (CSC), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at 1-800-977-2273 for help with claim denials, prior authorization status, account password and unlock assistance, beneficiary support, and other inquiries about Medi-Cal Rx
• Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal
• Medi-Cal Rx List of Resources
• Medi-Cal Rx Subscription Service (MCRxSS) sign-up

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Pharmacy (hereafter Board) has proposed modifications made to proposed regulation 16 CCR section 1707.4 related to Central Fill Pharmacies. These regulations were originally noticed on October 17, 2025, and again February 23, 2026, and approved as modified by the Board at its September 17 Board meeting.  

Materials regarding this proposal can be found online or by requesting them from the Contact Person identified below. 

Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed modifications may do so by submitting written comments between September 18 and October 2 to the
following: 

Contact Name: Debbie Damoth
Address: 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95834 
Fax number: 916-574-8618 

Email Address: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov    

Please note, comments should be restricted to the most recent modifications made to the proposed regulations. Added text is indicated with a bold double underline. Deleted text is indicated by bold double strikeout. The Board is not required to respond to comments on other aspects of the proposed regulations received in response to this notice. 

Any comments previously submitted remain in the rulemaking file and will be responded to by the Board's staff as part of the Final Statement of Reasons. All written comments received by October 2 that pertain to these modifications will be reviewed and responded to by the Board's staff as part of the compilation of the rulemaking file. 

Notice is hereby given that the following document is being added to the rulemaking record for proposed regulation 16 CCR section 1707.4 related to Central Fill Pharmacies:
 

1. Assembly Bill No. 1503 (Berman, Chapter 196, Statutes of 2025)

The above document is now available for public inspection during regular business hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, at the Board's office located at 2720
Gateway Oaks Dr., Ste. 100, Sacramento, CA 95833. 

Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed modifications may do so by submitting written comments by October 2 to the following: 

Contact Name: Debbie Damoth
Address: 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Fax number: 916-574-8618
Email Address: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov 

Also in California, Notice is hereby given that the Board of Pharmacy (hereafter Board) has proposed modifications made to proposed regulation 16 CCR section 1749, related to Fee Schedule. These regulations were originally noticed on July 31 and approved as modified by the Board at its September 17 meeting. 

Materials regarding this proposal can be found at online or by requesting them from the Contact Person identified below. 

Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed modifications may do so by submitting written comments between September 17 and October 2 to the following: 

Contact Name: Brianna Fujimoto
Address: Board of Pharmacy
2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Ste. 100
Sacramento, CA 95833
Fax number: 916-574-8618
Email Address: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov 

Please note, comments should be restricted to the most recent modifications made to the proposed regulations. Added text is indicated with a double underline. Deleted text is indicated by double strikethrough. The Board is not required to respond to comments on other aspects of the proposed regulations received in response to this notice. 

Also in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) Proclaimed a State of Emergency statewide due to the developing 2026-2027 El Nino event.  

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: Mass Adjustment for Vaccines Reimbursement for Members 19 Years of Age and Older for Impacted Claims with a Date of Service October 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

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

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the following items: 1.) On January 1, 2027, the DHCS will transition approximately 2 million Medi-Cal members with Unsatisfactory Immigration Status (UIS) from the Medi-Cal managed care delivery system to Medi-Cal fee-for-service (FFS). Pharmacy providers and prescribers can also review the Policy Guide for Transition of the Unsatisfactory Immigration Status Population from Managed Care to Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service to understand the upcoming changes and prepare for the transition. See "Fee-for-Service Transition Town Hall" for details. 2.) Please review in its entirety the "Update: Include ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes on Pharmacy Claims". 

• Fee-for-Service Transition Town Hall – September 30 at 10:00 am PT 

• Ordering, Referring, and Prescribing Enrollment Requirements Town Hall – September 24 at 10:30 am PT 

• Mass Adjustment for Commercialized COVID-19 Vaccines Reimbursement for Impacted Claims with a Date of Service October 1, 2024, through May 16, 2025 

• Now Active: Prior Authorization Policy Updates, Effective September 1, 2026 

• Policy Update for Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Pharmacy Providers, Effective October 1, 2026 

• Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for September 

• Now Active: Updates to the Early Refill Policy, Effective August 21, 2026 

• Now Active: MMRV Vaccine Reimbursement for Children Younger Than 4 Years of Age 

• Mass Adjustment for Member Eligibility Data That Impacted Claim Funding for Claims Submitted January 1, 2022, through May 29, 2024 

• Update: Include ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes on Pharmacy Claims 

• COB Billing Reminder for GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Drugs 

• State of Emergency Override Activation: Submission Clarification Code 13 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and meeting materials for the Licensing Committee meeting being held on September 23. Of interest, the board will discuss changes in pharmacy law included in AB 1503 (Chapter 196, Statutes of 2025), including updates on implementation activities.  

Finally in California, Medi-Cal is offering a new course titled Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Live Webinar (IO105LW). The course will provide information to registered outpatient pharmacies about certain clinical services, such as reviews of a Medi-Cal member's medications, member education (for example, about how to correctly use medication) and follow-ups with members to ensure treatment efficacy. 

Webinars for the MTM training will be held on the following dates: 

• October 7 at 10:00 am 

• October 27 at 10:00 am 

Providers must register for the webinar through the Medi-Cal Learning Portal (MLP) and select the session they plan to complete to ensure enrollment. 

Note: To register for the course, providers must have internet access and a user profile in the MLP. Google Chrome is the recommended web browser for accessing the MLP. Detailed instructions about the registration process and accessing webinar classes are available on the Outreach & Education page of the Medi-Cal Providers website. 

For additional assistance, contact the Telephone Service Center (TSC) at 1-800-541-5555. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

As part of the West Coast Health Alliance, the Department of Public Health released vaccine recommendations for the 2026–27 respiratory virus season.  

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the full Board Meeting on September 17. Please note item III. Discussion and Possible Action Related to Proposed Amendment of California Codes of Regulations, Title 16, Section 1707.4 Related to Central Fill Pharmacies, Including Discussion of Requirement for a Central Fill Pharmacy to be Located in California.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Pharmacy has proposed amendments to Title 16 CCR § 1749, related to Fee Schedules. Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed text may do so by submitting written comments beginning July 31 and ending on September 14 to the following: 

Contact Person: Brianna Fujimoto
Agency Name: California State Board of Pharmacy
Address: 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Ste 100, Sacramento, CA 95833
Email: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov
Fax: (916) 574-8618 

Below are related links: 

• Notice of Proposed Action (PDF) 

• Initial Statement of Reasons (PDF) 

• Proposed Text (PDF) 

 Any responses to comments directly concerning the proposed addition of the text of the regulation will be considered and responded to in the Final Statement of Reasons. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy released its August 2026 News Roundup, the latest in its series of monthly updates covering regulatory and board developments.

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board proposed amendments to Title 16 CCR § 1749, related to Fee Schedules. Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed text may do so by submitting written comments beginning July 31 and ending on September 14 to the following:

Contact Person: Brianna Fujimoto
Agency Name: California State Board of Pharmacy
Address: 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Ste 100 Sacramento, CA 95833
Email: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov
Fax: (916) 574-8618

Any responses to comments directly concerning the proposed addition of the text of the regulation will be considered and responded to in the Final Statement of Reasons.

All documents related to this regulatory action are available on the Board’s website.

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:

• Now Active: Prior Authorization Policy Updates, Effective August 3, 2026
• Update: Basaglar® (Insulin Glargine) Removal from the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List Postponed Until November 1, 2026
• Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for August
• 30-Day Countdown: Prior Authorization Policy Updates, Effective September 1, 2026
• Important: Provider Enrollment Requirement Not Yet Active
• 30-Day Countdown: Updates to the Early Refill Policy
• Mass Adjustment for Vaccines Reimbursement for Members 19 Years of Age and Older for Impacted Claims with a Date of Service July 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024

Finally in California, as a follow-up to the July 30 Town Hall on provider enrollment, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) invites you to participate in a focused discussion on DHCS’ data-informed effort to ensure that providers who order, refer or prescribe are properly enrolled in Medi-Cal.

Details:

• Date: August 26, 2026

• Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Link here.

Participants will:

• Receive an overview of provider enrollment requirements.

• Learn about mitigation efforts designed to reduce impacts on members, practitioners and billing providers.

• Hear the proposed approach and timeline for enforcement.

Stakeholder feedback gathered during this discussion will be used to finalize the enforcement timeline and strategic plan, which will be shared at the second Town Hall meeting in late September.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

A California federal court dismissed PCMA’s challenge to California’s law SB 41 imposing fiduciary duties on PBMs.  PCMA sued California Attorney General Rob Bonta in the US District Court for the Central District of California in January, arguing that this law interferes with self-funded health plans that are federally regulated under ERISA. Bonta argued that PCMA had not demonstrated specifics on how the law would negatively impact their daily business practices and that “other than regulating prohibited transactions, ERISA has nothing to say about plan-service provider relationships.”  Judge Otis D. Wright, II, agreed, saying PCMA’s arguments only amounted to an “abstract theory” of injury by failing to identify specific contract provisions or operational changes PBMs would have to undergo.  “Without such allegations, the Court is left to guess what conduct the statute requires and what burdens it imposes,” he wrote in his opinion dated July 24.  The judge allowed PCMA to file an amended complaint, which the group said in a statement it plans to do. PCMA Counsel Michael Kimberly noted that Wright “recognized that compliance costs and changes to business operations are concrete injuries.” If Judge Wright finds that PCMA’s amended complaint properly states a concrete injury, the case will move forward. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will soon begin revalidating pharmacy providers in accordance with federal regulations.

Enrolled pharmacies that have not submitted an application in the past year will soon receive a paper notice sent via USPS. If the provider has reported different service, pay-to and mailing addresses, a copy of the notice will be sent to each unique address. This notice will require the pharmacy to respond within 35 calendar days and confirm that they intend to continue participating in the Medi-Cal program. To facilitate the response, the notices will include a QR code that may be used to provide the confirmation. Failure to respond to the notice within 35 days will result in deactivation from the Medi-Cal program.

After completing this first step and confirming that they intend to continue to participate, providers will receive another paper notice with instructions for completing the next part of the revalidation process. This second step will include using the Provider Application and Validation for Enrollment (PAVE) system to complete a revalidation application. Providers will have 70 calendar days from the date of this notice to submit a complete revalidation application. Providers should not begin the application in PAVE before receiving the second notice – applications initiated before receiving the second notice will not be accepted.

In most cases, the revalidation will be separately completed for each location, and each location will receive unique notices and will require unique responses. Chain pharmacies will complete a slightly different process.

For more information, please contact Jenny Tudesko, Assistant Division Chief, Provider Enrollment Division, Department of Health Care Services

Also in California, attention: DHCS Town Hall Webinar on July 30 to Discuss Medi-Cal Provider Enrollment Requirements

• Who: Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
• What: Town Hall Webinar
• When: July 30, 2026; 9:30am – 11:00am PDT
• Advance registration is required – register now.

The State Board of Pharmacy wishes to advise licensees and other stakeholders that DHCS will host a town hall webinar on July 30 to explain Ordering, Referring and Prescribing (ORP) enrollment requirements for claims across both pharmacy (Medi-Cal Rx) and medical (CA-MMIS) billing systems.

Federal law requires providers who order, refer or prescribe services for Medi-Cal members to be enrolled in Medi-Cal and identified on claims using a valid Type 1 (Individual) National Provider Identifier (NPI). The webinar will explain this requirement, clarify what prescribers and providers must do to achieve or stay in compliance, and gather questions from stakeholders.

ORP enrollment requirements may apply to you – Board licensees are encouraged to register and attend to learn more about these important changes.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

REMINDER: Medi-Cal Rx appreciates your continued partnership and support in ensuring the continuity of care for members. Medi-Cal staff are requesting stakeholder feedback regarding the services provided by the Resolution Team (also known as the Special Population and Managed Care Plan Clinical Liaison Team). Participation in the Stakeholder Survey for the Resolution Team will help with efforts for continuous process and quality improvement. Please submit your responses no later than July 19.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.