Medicaid issued a bulletin revising the launch date for its Medicaid Provider Enrollment Rebaseline, which means new managed care organization (MCO) credentialed providers that have not enrolled with Medicaid will receive an invitation letter to enroll through the web portal. The invitation letter will provide specific provider information along with detailed instructions needed for the enrollment process.

Also in Louisiana, Medicaid issued a revised bulletin with contact information outlining the available options to providers for pursuing resolution of issues with Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) and the state’s fee-for-service claims processor, Gainwell Technologies. Unless explicitly notated, providers should first seek resolution with the MCO or Gainwell directly, prior to engaging the Department of Health or other third parties.

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

The Council on Medicaid Pharmacy Reimbursement met on July 30 to receive updates from the Department of Health (LDH) on the state’s single PBM, the Medicaid PDL and the Myers and Stauffer dispensing cost survey that will be distributed to pharmacies in early August.

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

The Board of Pharmacy is holding a Public Hearing on August 26 to solicit comments and testimony on proposed regulatory changes on prescription transfers, durable medical equipment (DME) change of ownership, pharmacy technicians and stocking automated dispensing systems. 

Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy published Bulletin No. 24-02 listing the new laws impacting the practice of pharmacy or Board operations adopted during the Louisiana Legislature’s 2024 Regular session that ended in June.

Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy published its July 2024 newsletter. 

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

Walmart pharmacist Jeremy Moffett was chosen by his colleagues as the 2024 Louisiana Chain Pharmacist of the Year. He received recognition during the awards ceremony at the annual meeting of the Louisiana Pharmacy Association in Lafayette on July 12.

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health’s Medicaid Director Kimberly Sullivan issued a pharmacy provider memorandum on the diagnosis code policy.

Also in Louisiana, the Board published Bulletin No. 24-01 which contains notice and guidance in regard to Act 246 of the 2024 Legislative Session.

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health’s (LDH) Medicaid team and Myers and Stauffer held a Zoom stakeholder meeting on July 15, sharing its plans for conducting a pharmacy cost of dispensing (COD) study. The survey will be emailed to a key point of contact for each chain pharmacy on August 7. The survey results will be used to evaluate the Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement methodology.

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

ACT 246 (SB 276) creates the crime of coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud when a person knowingly and intentionally engages in the use of an abortion-inducing drug on a pregnant woman, without her knowledge or consent, with the intent to cause an abortion, effective October 1, 2024.

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

Gov. Jeff Landy (R) signed into law the PEP/PrEP bill, HB 579, sponsored by Rep. Wayne McMahen (R), that will improve critical community access to HIV prevention services. With one of the highest rates of HIV in the country, the Department of Health (LDH) recognized the need for better access. LDH worked with the Louisiana Alliance for Retail Pharmacies (LARP) and other groups advocating for expanding options for at-risk patients to receive timely, convenient and lifesaving care at their local neighborhood pharmacies.

Also in Louisiana, Gov. Landry (R) announced key leadership changes. The Department of Health Secretary (LDH) Dr. Ralph Abraham transitions to the newly created Surgeon General role, Undersecretary Michael Harrington was named as the new LDH Secretary and Chief of Staff Drew Maranto was promoted to Undersecretary of LDH. The Secretary of LDH is responsible for implementing the Surgeon General’s recommendations, overseeing fiscal matters and ensuring the operations of the Department are carried out efficiently and effectively. Both the Secretary and the Surgeon General report directly to the Governor.

Also in Louisiana, LDH announced that Myers and Stauffer will be conducting a pharmacy cost of dispensing survey in August 2024 to evaluate the Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement methodology. A Zoom stakeholder meeting will be held at 9:00 am on July 15. LDH and Myers and Stauffer representatives will discuss the scope of the survey, timeline for completion and address stakeholder questions about the process.

Finally in Louisiana, Medicaid is implementing changes to the Single Preferred Drug List (PDL) on July 1, 2024. The current PDL indicated a preference of some brand name drugs over generic drugs. The revised PDL will shift both brand and generic versions of these drugs to preferred status. The new PDL will be posted online.

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

Gov. Jeff Landy (R) signed into law SB 281 – ACT 514, legislation pharmacies supported that will enhance the Attorney General’s enforcement authority over PBM audits, effective August 1, 2024.

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

The Department of Health (LDH) issued several bulletins:

• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Single Preferred Drug List (PDL) Update – Effective July 1, 2024
• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Edits for Vonoprazan (Voquezna®), Sitagliptin (Zituvio™), and Budesonide (Eohilia™) – Effective July 1, 2024
• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Clinical Authorization and Updates – Effective July 1, 2024
• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Quantity Limit – Effective July 1, 2024
• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Diagnosis Code Requirement – Effective July 1, 2024

Also in Louisiana, three PBM reform bills pharmacies supported were sent to Gov. Jeff Landy (R) to be signed into law. SB 444 prohibits reimbursement below cost, HB 603 adds guardrails for PBM audits and SB 281 enhances the Attorney General’s enforcement authority over audits.

Finally in Louisiana, LHD created an on-line form allowing anyone to request a Medicaid Policy change.

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

The legislature adjourned sine die on June 3. 

Also in Louisiana, several bills’ pharmacies supported passed both houses and were sent to Gov. Jeff Landry (R) to be signed into law.   

HB 579 – Allows pharmacists to test and treat for PEP/PrEP (See NACDS’ letter to the governor supporting enactment of this legislation.) 

SB 444 – Prohibits reimbursement below cost 

HB 603 – PBM audits 

SB 281 – PBM Enforcement and audits 

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health issued the preferred drug list update for July 1, 2024. 

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