The Family and Social Services Administration’s (FFSA) Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) announced that they will continue reimbursing Health Indiana Plan (HIP) services at Medicare rates through the end of 2023. However, January 1, 2024, they will transition to a reimbursement model with consistent rates across all its programs. IHCP plans to equalize rates among the HIP, Hoosier Care Connect, Hoosier Healthwise and fee-for-service programs. 

Also in Indiana, IHCP will host an online seminar on September 28 to discuss provider notices published this month. 

Also in Indiana, IHCP announced the intent to implement Statewide Uniform Preferred Drug List (PDL) for all Medicaid pharmacy plans effective July 1, 2023. 

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

The Family and Social Services Administration’s (FFSA) Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) Medicaid announced that effective July 1, 2023, all managed care plans will cover both preferred and nonpreferred drugs, maintain the same clinical criteria requirements and use the same format for prior authorization (PA) as the fee-for-service (FFS) program. 

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

Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) convened an 11-day special session in late July. Both Senate Bill 1, the “abortion ban bill,” and Senate Bill 2, the “tax refund bill” passed and were signed into law. Early in the session the Indiana Pharmacists Association rallied pharmacists to advocate for an amendment allowing pharmacists prescribing self-administered hormonal contraceptives, but the amendment failed by one vote, 48-49.  

Also in Indiana, the Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R) named Sen. Chris Garten (R) as the new Majority Floor Leader, replacing Sen. Mark Messmer (R) who served as the floor leader since 2018. 

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

A special session on banning abortion and taxes was convened on Monday, July 25. Pharmacies are promoting an amendment allowing pharmacists prescribing self-administered hormonal contraceptives.

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

The state Medicaid Health Coverage Programs’ (IHCP) Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board issued several updates in the IHCP Bulletin for pharmacies.  

Also in Indiana, effective August 1, the IHCP will cover COIVD-19 Vaccine Counseling as part of Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Testing (EPSDT) benefit. Coverage applies to all IHCP programs for beneficiaries under the age of 21 who are eligible for EPSDT.  

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

HEA 1169, legislation allowing pharmacy technicians to immunize all vaccines delegated by a pharmacist and to do verbal transfers was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcolm (R) on March 15, 2020. 

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

NACDS sent a letter to Medicaid detailing our concerns regarding tiered reimbursement rates that we raised with the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) and Myers and Stauffer on our February 11 Zoom call.  

Also in Indiana, on March 3, Gov. Eric Holcolm (R) issued an Executive Order 22-09 rescinding the public health emergency disaster declaration for COVID-19. 

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

The Department of Health (IDOH) and the Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) announced that they are making changes to the Vaccines for Children (VFC) policy to allow pharmacies to easily enroll in the program, effective March 14, 2022. The maximum allowable reimbursement for the administration of a VFC vaccine will be consistent with reimbursement for vaccines administered by medical providers, which is currently $15.00.

Also in Indiana, effective February 1, 2022, IHCP began reimbursing pharmacies for dispensing FDA approved COVID19 test kits at home, with a limit of two tests per 7 days per member under a statewide standing order. 

Also in Indiana, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s (FSSA) Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning provided updates to the opioid utilization prior authorization (PA) criteria’s maximum allowable daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME) effective for claims with dates of service (DOS) on or after April 1, 2022. 

Finally in Indiana, HB 1158, legislation that would allow a pharmacy technician to administer any vaccines delegated by a pharmacist, passed the House and is pending in the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee.  

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

Currently the Health Commissioner of the State Department of Health or the Commissioner’s designated public health authority can issue standing orders, prescriptions, or protocols to administer or dispense certain immunizations for individuals who are at least 11 years old. SB 3, a bill that includes a provision that would lower the age limit to five years old, passed Third Reading in the Senate and now advances to the House for further consideration. 

Also in Indiana, legislation that would have allowed pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives failed to get heard in the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee. (SB189) 

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