Medicaid has announced that, effective October 1, pharmacy providers must enroll in electronic funds transfer (EFT) to receive fee-for-service pharmacy payments. After this date, paper checks will no longer be issued for pharmacy payments. This change is intended to address issues such as lost checks, payment delays and mailing time, as well as to modify payment security protocols. Providers that still need to enroll in EFT will need to first register with the Prime User Administration Console (UAC). See the UAC Quick Start Guide for step-by-step instructions on the registration process. Once registered, you will have access to the Provider Job Aid/Prime Therapeutics Financial Portal Guide which will provide step-by-step instructions on completing the EFT enrollment process. After submitting your enrollment request, you will receive a phone call within three business days to verify the information you provided. Please make every effort to complete this verification as soon as possible once contacted to avoid any delays in finalizing your enrollment. Questions should be directed to the Prime Therapeutics Provider Support Line at 1-888-277-5510, OPTION 1. 

Also in Michigan, Medicaid announced via email that effective August 1, the following brand products will no longer be preferred and will be replaced by their generic alternatives on the preferred drug list (PDL). An updated Brand over Generic List will be posted soon. 

• Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) 

• Humalog Mix pen (insulin lispro protamine) 

• Novolog cartridge (insulin aspart) 

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued the following notices:

• 12-18-24 Pharmacy Full Agenda.pdf
• 12-18-24 Pharmacy Disciplinary Subcommittee Agenda.pdf

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

The Department of Health and Human Services will be conducting CHAMPS System maintenance this weekend. As a result, the system will not be available between 6:00 pm EST on November 16 through 9:00 am EST on November 17, 2024. Providers with questions should contact Provider Support at 1-800-292-2550 or ProviderSupport@Michigan.gov.

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted the Pharmacy Rules Committee Workgroup Agenda for November 4.

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted a notice and agenda for a Rules Committee Workgroup on November 4. Instructions for attending the meeting are included in the notice.

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

Sen. Santana has introduced SB 993,  a “trailer” bill that require insurers to reimburse pharmacies for the vaccination and test and treat services authorized under P.A. 97 of 2023. The bill was referred to the Senate Health Policy Committee and could see action as early as this fall.

Also in Michigan, the Department of Health, and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a final bulletin ending three temporary COVID-19 Medicaid Pharmacy provisions due to the COVID-19 PHE.

• HASA 22-02 – Authorization of U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) pharmacist prescriptive authority of oral antivirals for the treatment of COVID-19;
• MMP 22-29 – Coverage of FDA EUA COVID-19 monoclonal antibody injections by pharmacy providers; and
• L 22-04 – Stand-alone vaccine counseling services billed as a Medication Therapy Management service.

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

The Department of Health and Human Services issued a final bulletin related to the end of COVID flexibilities for OTC (Over-the-Counter) COVID tests and pharmacies as labs.

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted the August 14 full Board and Disciplinary Subcommittee meeting agendas.

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

The Department of Health and Human Services issued two bulletins announcing the upcoming termination of coverage for certain pharmacy services due to the upcoming expiration of the federal PREP Act.

• 2419-Lab – Termination of COVID-19 Home Test Kit Coverage and Special Reimbursement for COVID-19 Specimen Collection and Clinic Vaccine Administration. Comments may be forwarded to the e-mail noted on the policy’s transmittal sheet.
• 2424-Pharmacy – End of the Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) and Final Unwinding of Pharmacy COVID-19 Response Policies. Comments may be forwarded to the e-mail noted on the policy’s transmittal sheet.

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