On September 14, the Department of Insurance filed an emergency regulation in accordance with SB 188 of 2024, a comprehensive commercial market PBM reform law that included a rate floor of NADAC + a professional dispensing fee as determined by a Department of Insurance cost of dispensing study. The Department’s study determined the cost of dispensing to be $16.31. The rule, effective upon filing, will require commercial insurers and the State Employee Health Plan to pay a professional dispensing fee of $16.31 per claim to all ambulatory pharmacies beginning January 1, 2027. The regulation will remain in effect until a subsequent ordinary regulation is finalized.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Beginning January 1, 2027, all Kentucky insurance carriers will be required to reimburse all outpatient pharmacy claims at NADAC + $16.31, following the Insurance Commission’s announcement of the results of their recent cost of dispensing study. The study was required by the comprehensive commercial market PBM reform law NACDS worked with members and the Kentucky Retail Federation to pass in 2024.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy published the Kentucky Pharmacy Lawbook, 2026, compiling current statutes and regulations governing pharmacy practice in the state.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

HB 3 passed both Chambers and is awaiting Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) signature. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Amy Neighbors (R), requires Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists at the non-physician rate for providing healthcare services within their scope of practice. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

NACDS members are invited to participate in the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy's Standard of Care Summit on May 16.  

Also in Kentucky, the Board of Pharmacy released its March 2026 newsletter, providing regulatory updates and guidance for pharmacy professionals.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

NACDS reminds members that the long-awaited pharmacy cost of dispensing study required by SB 188 of 2024, a landmark law that will require a pharmacy reimbursement rate floor in the commercial market, has been delivered to pharmacies and is due back by February 28. The study will be used by the Department of Insurance to determine the pharmacy dispensing fee that commercial insurers will be required to pay in combination with NADAC. It is critical for pharmacies to complete this survey, to establish an accurate dispensing fee that sets a precedent for future actions across the states. Data must be submitted electronically through the Board’s Licensure Gateway using Form A (required) and Form B (optional). All community and specialty pharmacies that are open to the public are required to submit their cost of dispensing data using Form A. For additional details and guidance, members are encouraged to review the Board of Pharmacy’s December newsletter.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Medicaid issued a bulletin extending the effective date for the Managed Care Organization (MCO) Over-the-Counter (OTC) coverage change to February 15. At that time, the Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) will end coverage for OTC drugs that are non-Medicaid rebateable. The effective date has been extended to ensure providers have adequate time to prepare for this change. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

 MedImpact issued an updated statewide physician protocol for COVID point-of-care testing and a revised covered over-the-counter drug list. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

MedImpact, the state’s single PBM, announced that beginning September 28 they will cover and reimburse certain new COVID vaccines and issued an updated protocol.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.