The General Assembly passed SB 50 sponsored by Sen. Max Wise (R). The bill will provide significant financial relief to pharmacies by prohibiting PBMs in Medicaid managed care from using fees or effective rates to lower reimbursement. Additionally, the bill will require the Department of Medicaid Services, with the input of pharmacy, to set reimbursement rates in Managed Care. The intent of this provision is to move to cost-based reimbursement plus a professional dispensing fee. NACDS supported the on-the-ground efforts of the Kentucky Retail Federation and member companies to support provisions of this bill that align with our campaign. The bill now goes to the Governor.

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

Gov. Andy Beshear signed an Executive Order on March 10 giving emergency authority to pharmacists in reaction to the COVID-19, authorizing pharmacists in the Commonwealth to: dispense emergency refills of up to a thirty (30) day supply of any non-controlled medication for residents of any county of the Commonwealth; temporarily operate a pharmacy in an area not designated by permit; dispense drugs as needed to treat COVID-19 pursuant to protocols established by the CDC or the NIH or determined to be appropriate by the commissioner of public health or his designee to respond to the circumstances causing the emergency. The order expires on April 8, 2020 but may be renewed.

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

NACDS is seeking member comments on SB 50 as recently amended and passed by the Senate. The includes provisions on Single PDL and PBM; PBM transparency, clawback prohibitions, any willing provider, and allows Medicaid to set reimbursement rate in managed care according to CMS Guidance. It also would allow the department to have differential PDF rates based on pharmacy types. Please send your comments ASAP to Jill McCormack, NACDS State Director, at jmccormack@nacds.org.

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

Gov. Andy Beshear (D) has appointed Lisa Lee to serve as the new commissioner of Department for Medicaid Services.  Previously Lee served in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

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

In this week’s election for governor, Attorney General Andy Beshear (D) has claimed victory over incumbent Governor Matt Bevin (R) in a very tight race.  However, Bevin has not conceded.  Bevin claims that the race is too close to call and has requested a recount.  That recount is scheduled to take place next week.

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

Though its original implementation was slated for December 2019, last week, the Board of Pharmacy voted not to adopt USP General Chapter <800>, standards for safe handling of hazardous drugs to minimize the risk of exposure to healthcare personnel, patients and the environment. NACDS supported efforts of our in-state partners to advocate against the state adopting these standards at this time.

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

A new law (KY Acts ch. 185) allowing pharmacists to dispense emergency supplies of insulin was effective June 27. The law closes a loophole in the state’s current emergency refill statute that excluded insulin because it does not fall into a 72-hour dose category. It also contains language to allow emergency dispensing of inhalers for treatment of chronic respiratory illnesses.

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