Legislators returned to Baton Rouge earlier this month for the third session this year to consider Gov. Jeff Landry’s (R) tax overhaul package.

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health issued Informational Bulletin 24-42 updating the immunization fee schedules.

Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy continues to make progress on the proposed rule changes expanding the eligibility criteria for obtaining a pharmacy technician candidate registration by providing alternatives to a board-approved, nationally accredited pharmacy technician training program. The proposed rule changes remove the definition of Training Program and instead define Pharmacy Technician Educator, which includes a board-approved, nationally accredited training program, a Louisiana Department of Education program with a pharmacy technician career path and a Louisiana licensed pharmacist providing training in a permitted pharmacy. The Board submitted the second summary report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health & Welfare.

Also in Louisiana, after the August public hearing on Automated Medication Systems (AMS), the Board submitted the second summary report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health & Welfare.

Also in Louisiana, since five of the Board members’ terms expired on June 30, 2024, Gov. Jeff Landry (R) appointed Andy Soileau to replace Blake P. Pitre, who had served 42 years on the Board, and Butch Ray to replace Rock LeBas. The Governor also reappointed pharmacist Robert Cloud, Kevin LaGrange and consumer member Don Resweber.

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH), in partnership with the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPSC), submitted an application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for an 1115 demonstration waiver to improve access to critical pre- and post-release services for Medicaid-eligible individuals who are incarcerated. This new waiver would allow Louisiana Medicaid to provide approved substance use treatment services, case management and a 30-day supply of all prescription medications to eligible individuals.

Finally in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy will meet on November 19-20, 2024; new officers and committee chairs will be chosen during this meeting.

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

Gov. Jeff Landry (R) announced a special session on November 6 focused on revamping the state's tax structure. Governor Landry hopes to overhaul the state's current tax system by reducing income tax and charging sales tax on additional items. If the legislature approves tax reforms, voters will need to ratify the proposals in March 2025 so they can become law.   

Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy provided the Prescription Monitoring Program's Advisory Council with the third quarter update on the program. 

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

The Department of Health (LDH) Bureau of Health Services Financing issued a notice informing Medicaid Pharmacy providers of the upcoming beneficiary third party liability (TPL) data migration that will begin on November 4, 2024. The TPL migration applies to pharmacy claims submitted to Gainwell for Fee for Service (FFS) and to Prime Therapeutics for MCOs (Aetna, AmeriHealth Caritas, Healthy Blue, Humana Healthy Horizons, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, and UnitedHealthcare).

Also in Louisiana, LDH issued an Informational Bulletin 24-37 updating the immunization fee schedule for 2024-2025.

Finally in Louisiana, on October 1, legislation signed into law by Gov. Jeff Landry (R) made Louisiana the first state to classify mifepristone and misoprostol, two abortion-inducing drugs, as controlled dangerous substances. While the drugs are still available with a prescription, they are now classified in the same category as some opioids.

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

The Department of Health issued Informational Bulletin 24-33. Open Enrollment for Medicaid members starts on October 15 and ends on December 2. During this period, members may change their health or dental plans without a qualifying reason.

The Department of Health (LDH) issued a memo clarifying they are continuing to reimburse pharmacies for at-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests to Medicaid patients through December 31, 2024.

Also in Louisiana, on September 9, 2024, Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency for Tropical Storm Francine. LDH issued a memo detailing the procedures for emergency prescriptions claims for Medicaid beneficiaries

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

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.