2026 Critical Access Pharmacies eligibility list is available online as well as the most recent Medicaid Preferred Drug List.

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

The purpose of this Provider Notice is to inform pharmacy providers that the claims adjudication system is now able to process and pay compound claims. The processing system had been paying compound claims at zero since the Change Healthcare outage in March 2024.  

At this time, pharmacy providers are encouraged to void and rebill those claims that were either paid at zero or held pending restoration. This applies to fee-for-service (FFS) billing only.  

Please call the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565 and speak to a pharmacy consultant to obtain any necessary overrides on rejections that may occur while rebilling these claims.

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

Effective October 1, the Department of Health and Family Services updated the Medicaid Preferred Drug List.

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

In accordance with Public Act 104-0027, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is implementing a major update to the Critical Access Pharmacy (CAP) program. Effective January 1, 2026, the revised CAP program will consolidate the two existing initiatives into a single, streamlined model. See Provider Notice Issued 09/29/2025 for details. To minimize confusion during the transition, the Department has established a dedicated email address for all CAP-related inquiries.

Also in Illinois, the WIC [Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children] program does not anticipate any disruption to its operations in the event of a federal government shutdown. The program continues to have funds available for food, and vendors should expect no issues with selling WIC products and receiving payment. As of October 1, 2025, businesses should proceed as usual for all Illinois WIC transactions.

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

Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) has signed HB3637, authorizing health care professionals to prescribe any drug approved by the FDA before 2025 that continues to carry World Health Organization approval. The law is designed to safeguard access to abortion medication in the event of future FDA restrictions. 

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

The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Vendor Relations Unit will host its next Quarterly Vendor Information Conference Call on August 12 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am CST. Please use the following information to access the call: Dial-in Number: 844-291-5490 Access Code: 2902421

This call provides an opportunity for the Department of Human Services to share important program updates, address recent issues and hear general questions or concerns from vendors.

When joining the call, please be prepared to provide your name, company name and WIC Vendor ID (if you represent a specific vendor location).

Key discussion topics have been outlined in the agenda. If you would like to address a specific issue during the call, in addition to the topics on the agenda, please complete the Help IL WIC Improve vendor questionnaire before the call.

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

Electric bills are expected to surge. What you need to know is that Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and PJM capacity auctions cleared at significantly higher prices for the 2025-2026 Planning Year: June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. MISO and PJM are the Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) that coordinate the movement of wholesale electricity in Ameren Illinois and ComEd electric territories, respectively. Ameren Illinois and ComEd electric customers will soon see the effects of these higher prices for the first time on invoices received in June/July. Ameren Illinois, ComEd, nor the suppliers have any control over these charges, nor do they have any power to change them. Due to a multitude of variables, Retail Energy Suppliers (RES) are handling this additional cost in many ways, according to supply contract terms and conditions as well as internal policy decisions. 

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

PBM reform passed the General Assembly. HB 1697, creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, introduces comprehensive changes to state laws governing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), prescription drug pricing, pharmacy access and related health insurance requirements. This legislation represents a significant overhaul of prescription drug and PBM regulation in the state, with the goal of improving affordability, access and transparency in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 56-1 and the House by a vote of 115-1-1. It now goes to the Governor for his consideration.

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

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services released an updated Preferred Drug List.

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