The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will be communicating to providers on rolling back certain flexibilities that will expire when the public health emergency.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The legislature convened on January 9, 2023.
Also in Colorado, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is hosting an informational session on preparing for the end of the Public Health Emergency. This online seminar is geared toward community partners such as advocacy organizations, providers and community organizations that may provide other assistance to Health First Colorado (Medicaid) or CHP+ members. Register in advance for the January 25 online seminar scheduled from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm MST.
Finally in Colorado, Prescription Drug Affordability Board established under SB21-175 is currently evaluating draft rules for the Upper Payment Limits.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
When the Public Health Emergency (PHE) that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared in January of 2020 in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 ends, everyone enrolled in Health First Colorado (Medicaid) was guaranteed to keep their health coverage during the PHE. However, the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) will take 12 months (14 months including noticing) to complete the renewal process for each of the approximately 1.6 million people currently enrolled. Medicaid members need to pay attention to renewal notices and fill out the necessary forms to make sure they keep their Health First Colorado and CHP+ coverage, if they are still eligible.
Also in Colorado, on December 5, the HCPF sent the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) an official proposal to import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Gov. Jared Polis (D) named House Speaker Alec Garnett as his new chief of staff.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) announced that Adela Flores-Brennan, MA, JD is the new Medicaid Director, reporting to Executive Director Kim Bimestefer. Flores-Brennan will also assume the role of Office Director, leading our newly titled Health Policy Office (formerly Health Programs Office), which designs, maintains and oversees Health First Colorado and CHP+ medical policies and contracts. HCPF also announced the formation of a new Office of Medicaid and CHP+ Behavioral Health Initiatives and Coverage being led by Cristen Bates who will serve as Director. Bates’ office will govern HCPF’s specific behavioral health policies, benefits, special projects, and strategies that were previously part of our Health Programs Office. Bates will hold the role of Deputy Medicaid Director.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Gov. Jared Polis’ (D) administration and the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) announced partnerships with key supply chain partners that will help Colorado operationalize the importation of drugs. Colorado’s Canadian Importation Program, once approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), estimated it will save Coloradoans an average of more than 60% on prescription medications.
Also in Colorado, on August 28 the Division of Profession and Occupations will hold a Joint Stakeholder online seminar with Pharmacy and other Healthcare Boards with prescriptive authority to solicit input from stakeholders on the implementation of House Bill 22-1115, clarifying certain provisions in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy will hold a virtual Stakeholder Meeting on August 5th on multiple proposed revisions including Rule 17 (Collaborative Pharmacy Agreements); Appendix C (Statewide Protocol for Pre-Exposure and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)); Appendix A (Statewide Protocol for Prescribing Hormonal Contraceptive Patches and Oral Contraceptives), and the Colorado Self-Screening Contraception Risk Assessment Questionnaire to include Vaginal Rings and Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DPMA); and the proposed Appendix E (Proposed New Statewide Protocol for Statin Therapy). Potential considerations to revise the rules to implement new legislation concern: Colorado Senate Bills 22-116, 22-173, 22-027, and 22-098; and Colorado House Bills 22-1235, 22-1246, 22-1326, 22-1115, and 22-1122.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy is hosting a virtual Stakeholder Meeting on June 27 at 10 AM MDT to solicit feedback on multiple proposed revisions to the Board’s rules on newly passed legislation. Topics include Third Party Logistics Providers, Reporting Violations, and Collaborative Pharmacy Agreements and Appendix C (Statewide Protocol for Pre-Exposure and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis of HIV). Potential considerations to revise the rules to implement new legislation concern Colorado Senate Bills 22-116, 22-173, 22-027, 22-098; and Colorado House Bills 22-1235, 22-1246, 22-1115, and 22-1122. To participate, you must register for the online seminar. If you cannot attend the meeting or want to submit comments, send your comments to: dora_dpo_rulemaking@state.co.us by June 24, 2022.
Also in Colorado, HB (House Bill) 22-1370 will pass along drug manufacturer rebates to employers and consumers – valued at more than 16% of overall drug costs for those not sharing in rebates now. This bill represented one of the policy recommendations in the Department’s 2021 Reducing Prescription Drug Costs in Colorado Report.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The legislature adjourned on May 11th. Prior to adjournment, several bills of interest to pharmacies passed and will be sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law, including a telepharmacy bill eliminating the mileage restrictions SB-173, and a PBM 340b bill prohibiting additional fees and chargebacks HB-1122,
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.