SB 96, immunization legislation NACDS supports because it removes the list of vaccines a pharmacist can administer, allowing them to provide any vaccine recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices that has been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration under a drug order, under a prescription, or according to a protocol approved by a physician. The bill was amended, giving the Indiana Commissioner of Health the authority to remove a specific vaccination from the list of vaccines recommended and approved by the federal agencies, and then unanimously approved by the Senate.

Also in Indiana, NACDS rallied members to contact their senators to urge support for the rate floor bill that is scheduled for a Senate vote this week. SB 140 would establish a minimum dispensing reimbursement rate of NADAC plus a professional dispensing fee equal to the Medicaid Fee for Service fee, which is currently $10.64.

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

NACDS sponsored the Indiana Pharmacists Legislative Day, where over 350 pharmacists, students and technicians gathered at the Statehouse to engage in advocacy for the profession. The priority legislative issues included securing fairer reimbursement for dispensing, PBM reforms and reimbursement for services. The advocates also promoted bills securing authority for pharmacists to provide “test and treat” services and substance use disorder treatments; lowering the vaccination age from 11 years and allowing administration of any FDA-approved vaccines if operating under a physician protocol or health commissioner standing order; allowing nationally certified technicians the ability to perform any task delegated to them by a supervising pharmacist that does not require the training or judgment of a pharmacist, including receipt of verbal orders and final product verification; and 340B protections.

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

The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) posted a notice of intent to submit an application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under section 1115 of the Social Security Act seeking a five-year extension of the current waiver authorities for the substance use disorder and serious mental illness demonstrations. The current demonstration is authorized through December 31, 2025.

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

The Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) posted provider Bulletin BT20244172, pharmacy provider updates approved by the Drug Utilization Review Board in October 2024.

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

The General Assembly’s Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force held a meeting on October 8 on PBM oversight and contracting. Two years ago, legislation was adopted that funded a state audit. RxConnection was hired to review five years of data from the state’s major PBMs. Unfortunately, the data the auditors obtained was incomplete due to an ongoing lack of transparency surrounding the specific details regarding PBM contracts with the state’s medical plans and the terms of the rebate systems negotiated by PBMs, which prompted the Office of the Attorney General to file civil investigative demands.

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

The Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) issued a Medicaid provider bulletin BT2024166 reminding providers to use the new Gainwell Technologies addresses.

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

After six years of service, the Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff Kim Opsahl departed the Family and Social Services Administration (IFSSA) on October 11.

Also in Indiana, the Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) has a new Claims Submission and Processing Manual.

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

The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning (OMPP) is hosting an informational online seminar on the PathWays for Aging program on September 12 at 9:00 am. The presentation by OMPP staff will provide a post-implementation update of the PathWays program which launched on July 1, 2024. The online seminar will be recorded and posted on the PathWays stakeholder engagement website. You can view the online seminar on Zoom or the FSSA YouTube page at the time of the event.

Also in Indiana, FFSA pharmacy updates were approved by Drug Utilization Review Board at the August 2024 meeting.

Finally in Indiana, the Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) posted a bulletin reminding providers of administrative review requirements for fee-for-service prior authorization.

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

The Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) issued a bulletin reminding providers requesting an administrative review, also known as a reconsideration, of a denied or partially approved fee-for-service (FFS) nonpharmacy prior authorization (PA), that they must submit a written request to the FFS prior authorization and utilization management (PA-UM) contractor within seven business days of receipt of the PA decision notification.

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