The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) wishes to inform providers that due to the widespread availability of generic Tamiflu (oseltamivir), the Department will end the temporary procedures outlined in the December 9, 2022 provider notice effective March 1. This affects the Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) program and the managed care organizations (MCOs).  

Effective March 1, the Department will no longer reimburse providers for dispensing brand name Tamiflu or for compounding suspensions with brand name Tamiflu. While there is no current shortage of oral suspension, compounding with the generic oseltamivir will be allowed only in emergency situations, as there still may be localized areas of shortage where demand is high.  

The drugs will be removed as preferred products on the Preferred Drug List, and prior authorization will again be required for brand Tamiflu under the FFS program and the MCOs. 

Please direct questions regarding this notice to a pharmacy consultant in the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565 for FFS claims, or the appropriate MCO.

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

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotments (EAs), which have been issued since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic to address food insecurity challenges, will end in Illinois after February, when the federal increases expire. This change will impact over one million households and two million people in Illinois.  

The benefit amount participants will receive starting in March will be noted in a client letter sent to all SNAP recipient households.  

The Illinois Department of Human Services seeks to prepare SNAP Participants for U.S. Department of Agriculture’s return of SNAP benefits to the pre- pandemic levels. Grocery and pharmacy retailers can assist in the effort by posting SNAP Reduction Customer Notice posters in their stores.  

Also in Illinois, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services will review the following classes at the Drugs &Therapeutics Advisory Board meeting on April 6: CGRP migraine agents, Oral Antipsychotic (class clean-up). All clinical and financial submissions are due to the Department by 3:00 p.m. CST on March 16. Submissions should be sent to: HFS.SupplementalRebaleProgram@illinois.gov. For more information, please visit here.  

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

The Illinois Department of Labor (“IDOL”) recently issued the new 2023 “Your Rights Under Illinois Employment Laws” poster that ALL ILLINOIS EMPLOYERS are required to post in a conspicuous place in the workplace, where notices are customarily posted. See the links here. The poster includes information related to the Wage Payment and Collection Act, Child Labor Law, Minimum Wage Law, Equal Pay Act, Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act and the One Day Rest in Seven Act (“ODRISA”).  

Importantly, the ODRISA amendments that went into effect on January 1, 2023, require not only posting in the workplace, but also, for employees who do not regularly report to a physical workplace, and instead work remotely or travel for work, the poster must be provided to them via email or uploaded onto the employer’s website. The ODRISA amendments also now include civil penalties for failure to comply with the ODRISA, including the posting requirements. Employers who fail to comply with the posting requirements will be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $250, payable to the IDOL.  

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

This notice implements the section of Public Act 102-0103 that allows pharmacists to bill and be reimbursed for patient care services for hormonal contraceptives. This new policy is effective with dates of service on and after August 1, 2022, and applies to the Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) program and the HealthChoice Illinois (HCI) managed care organization (MCO) plans.  

Also in Illinois, this notice provides an update on coverage of the new COVID-19 bivalent boosters. The update applies to claims for customers covered under traditional Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) and the HealthChoice Illinois (HCI) managed care organization (MCO) plans.  

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

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Post Kidney Transplant Preferred Drugs under the Emergency Medical Program.

Also, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Prior Approval Requests for Synagis Dosing.

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

The Illinois D&T Advisory Board will be reviewing the Biologic Modifiers at its October 20, 2022 meeting. All clinical and financial submissions are due to the Department by 3:00pm CST September 29, 2022. Please submit to: HFS.SupplementalRebaleProgram@illinois.gov. 

Also in Illinois, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Sexual Assault Treatment Program Private Insurance Opt-Out Alternative Per Public Act 102-1097. 

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

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Pharmacy COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Update. 

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

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Confirmation of Coverage for Continuous Glucose Monitors per Public Act 102-1093.

Also in Illinois, the state’s sales tax holiday begins on August 5th, runs through August 14th, and applies to clothing and footwear with a retail selling price of less than $125 per item and certain school supplies. School supplies are not subject to the $125 threshold.

The Illinois Department of Revenue has released an Informational Bulletin providing comprehensive details including how to handle coupons, exchanges, returns, backorders, etc. It also lists qualifying and non-qualifying items.

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

The HFS (Healthcare and Family Services) Illinois Drugs and Therapeutics Advisory Board’s quarterly meeting will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2022. Call in information can be found here. Pre-registration is required. 

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