In anticipation of Tropical Storm Bertha potentially disrupting services, the Board of Pharmacy is authorized to declare a State of Emergency and issue a proclamation directing certain actions and suspending certain laws and rules. The Department of Health (LDH), Bureau of Services Financing, provided information for pharmacies on Medicaid.

Also in Louisiana, LDH issued Informational Bulletin 26-11 – Pharmacist Billing for HIV PEP/PrEP Services.

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

On July 10, NACDS honored Margo Chauvin, PharmD, of Sam's Club, as the 2026 Louisiana Chain Pharmacist of the Year at the Louisiana Pharmacy Association's annual meeting in Bossier City. Chauvin was chosen by a vote of her colleagues.  

Also in Louisiana, effective July 1, the Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), in consultation with the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board, will implement new Point of Sale (POS) edits for select medications. 

Also In Louisiana, effective July 1, the Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), in consultation with the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board, will implement clinical authorization for select medications.  

Also in Louisiana, effective July 1, the Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), in consultation with the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board, will implement new Point of Sale (POS) diagnosis code requirements for select medications.  

Finally in Louisiana, effective July 1, the Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), in consultation with the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board, will implement new Point of Sale (POS) quantity limits.  

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

The legislature adjourned sine die on June 1.   

Also in Louisiana, the Pharmaceutical & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee updated the Preferred Drug List (PDL) that will take effect July 1. 

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

SB 401, legislation that creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) within the Department of Insurance to improve transparency and control drug prices, passed the Senate and was referred to the House for further action. The bill requires an annual report on drug pricing trends and highlights drugs with high prices relative to other states, countries and their own production and research costs, thereby increasing accountability and guiding state healthcare policy.

Also in Louisiana, HB 1236, legislation that passed the House, requires PBMs to reimburse independent pharmacies using the NADAC and a professional dispensing fee, at least equal to the state’s Medicaid dispensing fee. The bill was amended on the Senate floor last week. NACDS is working on an amendment so that the rate floor reimbursement includes our members.

Finally in Louisiana, another PBM reform bill, HB 938, passed the House and was referred to the Senate Insurance Committee. The bill requires PBMs to reimburse local pharmacies at least their drug acquisition cost plus a Medicaid-level dispensing fee, bans below-cost payments and prohibits increasing patient copays after claims are processed. The law also requires PBMs to share claim data with regulators and is retroactive to January 1, 2026.

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

The Legislature convened its regular session on March 9. 

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) provided Informational Bulletin 26-3 regarding the UnitedHealthcare's participation in the Medicaid program that will end on March 31. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy will post the agenda for its quarterly meeting on February 25.

Also in Louisiana, on February 26, the Board of Pharmacy will be solicitating comments on several regulatory projects proposed rule changes, including Remote Access by a Pharmacy Technician. This proposal would amend Section 1145 of the Board’s rules concerning remote access to prescription drug orders, medical orders and chart orders by including pharmacy technicians among those authorized under the rule.

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

The Board of Pharmacy's Regulation Revision Committee posted the agenda for the February 3 meeting in Baton Rouge. 

Also in Louisiana, Julie Foster Hagan, Executive Director of the state's Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability Project, presented the program's mission, objectives, strategy and timeline at the Department of Health's annual shareholders meeting on January 21. Louisiana secured $208.4 million in federal funding for Year 1 of the Rural Health Transformation Grant—one of the nation's largest awards—and is expected to receive $1.4 billion over five years. 

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) extended its Medicaid managed care contract with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) for 90 days through March 31.  

Also in Louisiana, Gov. Jeff Landry (R) declared a State of Emergency ahead of the January winter storm. Medicaid posted a provider notice on early refills:  

• The early refill edit will be bypassed for pharmacy claims submitted to fee-for-service (FFS) and the managed care organizations (MCOs) in all parishes statewide through February 6. 

• All expiring prior authorizations for pharmacy claims for FFS and the MCOs will also be extended through February 6. 

Finally In Louisiana, LDH appointed Seth Gold as Medicaid Director. His prior experience includes nearly a decade of experience in federal health policy serving on the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee. 

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

The Department of Health’s (LDH) published Informational Bulletin 25-34, detailing changes to the Medicaid Managed Care Contracts for United Healthcare effective January 1, 2026.

Also in Louisiana, LDH revised Informational Bulletin 25-27, related to the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

Also in Louisiana, Act 464 of 2025 permits a pharmacist to dispense ivermectin to a person 18 years of age or older pursuant to a standing order. Subsequently, LDH issued a standing order and documentation authorizing pharmacists to dispense ivermectin to individuals 18 years of age and older.

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Insurance issued an Advisory Letter to all PBMs licensed in Louisiana and all health insurance issuers that contract with PBMs alerting them that Act 474 of 2025 established a new professional dispensing fee reimbursement for local independent pharmacies only effective January 1, 2026.

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) appointed Seth Gold as the new Medicaid Director. He has a decade of experience in federal health policy, most recently serving as a professional staff member for the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he advised members of Congress on Medicaid, CHIP and the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

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

The Department of Health (LDH) announced a webinar on December 4 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Central Time. This event aims to inform stakeholders about LDH’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) submission.

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