The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. 

• Prior Authorization Submission Reminders (May 16) 
• Changes to the Family PACT Pharmacy Formulary (May 13)
• Medi-Cal Weekly Wrap-Up for May 6-12 (May 13) 
• Medical Supplies Update: Update to the Maximum Allowable Product Cost (MAPC) for Female Condoms, Effective, July 1, 2022 (May 12) 
• Medical Supplies Update: New Pharmacy Benefit, Blood Pressure Monitors, and Blood Pressure Cuffs, Effective July 1, 2022 (May 12) 
• Medi-Cal Weekly Wrap-Up for April 29-May 5 (May 6) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for April 29-May 5 (May 6) 

Also in California, on May 6, the Department of Health Care Services hosted a Medi-Cal Rx Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) – Chain Rx Kickoff meeting to explain current MFA policy and how the exception granted for some chain pharmacies to the MFA policy expires on December 31, 2022. As indicated in the slidesDHCS will schedule bi-weekly meetings to formalize requirements and timelines. Please feel free to send questions to: 

• Rajesh Adoni Rajesh.Adoni2@dhcs.ca.gov 
• Gina Connors Gina.Connors@dhcs.ca.gov 
• Julie Cheung Julie.Cheung@dhcs.ca.gov 

Finally in California, on May 17, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released the “Medi-Cal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Operational Unwinding Plan”. This plan provides an overview of DHCS’ plan to unwind COVID-19 Medi-Cal flexibilities and resume normal Medi-Cal operations.  

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

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note DUR Claims Edits were not reinstated on May 1 and the Electronic Claims Agreement Submission Deadline has been extended to July 31, 2022. Additionally, the Medi-Cal Rx 180-day prior authorization (PA) transition scheduled to go into effect July 1 will not take place.  Medi-Cal Rx will continue to utilize historical PA and claims data beyond July 1.  There is no new date for the transition.  However, providers will be notified 90 days before the PA transition takes place.  

• Diabetic Supplies – Therapeutic Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems (May 5) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Operational Updates (May 5) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for May (May 1)
• Changes to Contract Drugs List (CDL) (May 1) 
• Changes to Contract Drugs List (CDL) — Over-the-Counter Drugs (May 1) 
• Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (May 1) 
• Update: Drug Utilization Review Claims Edits Will Not be Reinstated on May 1, 2022 (April 29) 
• Electronic Claims Agreement – Submission Deadline Extended to July 31, 2022 (April 29)
• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for April 22-28 (April 29) 
• Diabetic Supplies Update: Disposable Insulin Delivery Devices Updates (April 28) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Compound Claims Processing Billing Tips (April 22) 
• Prescriber Training Checklist (April 22) 
• Pharmacy Training Checklist (April 22)
• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for April 15-21 (April 22) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Billing Policy for Disposable Insulin Delivery Devices (April 21) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Billing Policy for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (April 21) 
• Understanding Medi-Cal Rx for Beneficiaries (April 21) 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted its agenda for the May 11 Board Meeting; see link below. 

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted its May update. 

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

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.  

• Medi-Cal Rx Policy for Requesting Alternative Medication in Case of Supply Shortage (April 15) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Policy for Requesting Alternative Medical Supplies or Enteral Nutrition Products Due to Supply Shortages (April 15) 
• Medi-Cal Rx List of Resources (April 11) 
• Prior Authorization Status Notifications (April 11) 
• Medical Supplies Update on Pen Needles (April 11) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Coordination of Benefits (COB) Reminder (April 8) 
• Dexcom Therapeutic Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) – Issue Resolved (April 7) 
• Medicare Remit Easy Print Software for EDI 835 Files (April 5) 
• Medi-Cal Rx 101 Trainings for April 2022 (April 4) 

• • Friday, April 22 – 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. PST 
  • Friday, April 29 – 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. PST 

• Enteral Nutrition Update: Temporary Interchange of Equivalent Contracted Enteral Nutrition Products Due to Recent Formula Recall (April 4) 
• Monoclonal Antibodies for the Outpatient Treatment of COVID-19 as a Pharmacy Benefits (April 1) 
• Changes to Pneumococcal 15 & 20 Vaccines (April 1) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin (April 1) 
• Changes to the Contract Drugs List (April 1) 
• Changes to the Contract Drugs List (CDL) – Over-the-Counter Drugs (April 1) 
• Changes to Contract Drugs List (CDL) – Authorized Drug Manufacturer Labeler Codes (April 1) 
• Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (April 1) 
• How to Find Covered Drugs (March 28) 
• Deadline Reminder: Electronic Claims Agreement (March 25) 
  • By April 30, 2022, all participating Medi-Cal Rx pharmacy providers and billers need to submit a Medi-Cal Rx Telecommunications Provider and Biller Application Agreement (DHCS Form 6500) to continue submitting electronic claims without interruption. Refer to the Medi-Cal Rx Electronic Claims Agreement alert, originally posted on December 31, 2021. 

• Medi-Cal Rx Policy Updates: Consolidated Listing (March 25) 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the following to the website: 

• Legislation and Regulation Committee Meeting Agenda – April 26 
• Communication and Public Education Committee Meeting Agenda and Meeting Materials – April 26 
• Full Board Meeting CORRECTED Agenda – April 26-27 

 Also in California, AB 852, related to e-prescribing software requirements and prescriber exceptions to e-prescribing requirements, was amended on April 18. 

Finally in California, AB 1651 was amended on April 18, creating the Workplace Technology Accountability Act. Among its various provisions, this legislation would give workers new rights with respect to their data, regulates data employers collect, regulates how employers can monitor workers, regulates the ways in which employers use algorithms to monitor workers and creates a new enforcement regime through the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. The bill is sponsored by the California Labor Federation, SEIU California, the United Food and Commercial Workers-Western and the States Council.  

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

As a reminder regarding the COVID-19 declaration of emergency, the Board of Pharmacy has a webpage dedicated to Pharmacy Law Waivers; interested parties may sign up to receive the Board’s alerts for the most up-to-date information. Also, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has a webpage dedicated to DCA Waivers and Guidance Documents..

Also in California, as a reminder, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) eased DUR edits in Medi-Cal Rx until May 1. NACDS and the California Retailers Association have been in communication with the DHCS staff to request advance notice be provided to pharmacy providers of the Department’s plans for these DUR edits in advance of May 1.

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

The Board of Pharmacy has rescheduled April 19 Standard of Care Ad Hoc Committee meeting to June 22. The Board also announced the April 20 Medication Error Reduction and Workforce Ad Hoc Committee meeting will be rescheduled (TBD). 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted this DUR article titled “Improving the Quality of Care: Legislative Impact on the Use of Naloxone” on its Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the Table 2 update on March 31. 

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal on March 24: 

• Medi-Cal Rx Finance Portal Frequently Asked Questions 
• Medical Supplies Update: Dexcom Therapeutic Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) 

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued an Amended Waiver: Staffing Ratio of Pharmacists to Intern Pharmacists and General Supervision and Interprofessional Supervision – Immunizations – BPC section 4114. 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services issued Stakeholder News that it is still accepting claims for individuals enrolled in the COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program. The COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program will end the last day of the calendar month in which the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ends. For questions or concerns, please email COVID19Apps@dhcs.ca.gov.  

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

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts to the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

• Enteral Nutrition Recall (March 14)
• Enteral Nutrition Updates: Maximum Quantity Rejections (March 15) 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy amended the expiration date of the following waiver: Mass Vaccination Sites – AMENDED AND REISSUED; the expiration date is June 30, 2022, or until 90 days following the declared disaster, whichever is sooner. All Pharmacy Law waivers are posted under the COVID-19 Updates and Resources. 

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

The following alerts have been posted to the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:  

• Update to CCS Service Authorization Requests (March 4)  
• Claim Edit Prescriber Enrollment (March 7) 
• New Ixinity National Drug Codes (March 8) 

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy will host the Pharmacy Technician Summit on April 19; details TBD. In advance of this summit, the board invites California pharmacists and California pharmacy technicians to participate in Pharmacist Listening Sessions and Pharmacy Technician Listening Sessions. For those unable to participate, the board is also accepting feedback via short online surveys for both pharmacists and technicians, respectively. 

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

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts to the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for February 21-24 (February 25) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Approved NDC List (February 25) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Beneficiary Tips (February 28) 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy published its March issue of “The Script.”  This issue includes the following articles about:  

• New pharmacy laws in 2022. 
• Pharmacy issues related to COVID-19 vaccination programs. 
• Mix-ups related to COVID-19 age requirements.

• A new vendor for submitting prescription data to CURES. 
• A Board policy statement on compounding requirements. 
• Mitigation strategies for preventing pharmacy drug diversion. 
• The important role and responsibilities for pharmacists-in-charge. 
• Listening sessions for pharmacy technicians. 

• New public members appointed to the Board. 
• New ad hoc committees on medication errors and workforce issues and on standard of care. 
• Summaries of disciplinary actions ordered July 1 through December 31, 2021.

Also in California, the Office of Administrative Law has issued a Notice of Approval for amendments to the Code of Regulations’ Division 17 of Title 16, section 1715.6, related to Reporting Drug Loss, effective April 1. 

Finally in California, the following Pharmacy Law waivers issued pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 4062 expired on February 28.  

• Duty to Consult (Title 16, California Code of Regulations, section 1707.2(a)) 
• Prelicensure Inspection at Proposed Location of an Automated Drug Delivery System (ADDS) – Business and Professions Code sections 4119.11(a)(9) and BPC 4427.2(e) 

• Signature Requirement for Receipt of Delivery of Drugs (BPC section 4059.5) 
• Requirement for Consulting Pharmacist to Make Quarterly Visits to Clinic (BPC sections 4182(a) & (b)/BPC 4192(a) & (b)) 

Other waivers still in effect are posted online under Pharmacy Law Waivers. 

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