Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed LB 118, legislation increasing the pharmacist-to-pharmacy technician ratio to permit a pharmacist to supervise any combination of pharmacy technicians and pharmacist interns up to four people. For any pharmacist supervising four pharmacy technicians or pharmacist interns, at least one person must be a certified pharmacy technician.

Also in Nebraska, starting on June 1, Medicaid will no longer accept paper applications for Medicaid provider enrollment. All enrollments can be completed electronically at Maximus’ Nebraska Provider Data Management System  (PDMS) website. For more information about Maximus’ PDMS, call 844-374-5022 or email at nebraskamedicaidPSE@maximus.com. For questions about how to enroll as a Nebraska Medicaid provider, call 402-471-9018.

Also in Nebraska, on March 19, the Department of Health and Human Services updated provider Bulletin 24-22: Coverage of Interpretation Services.

Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Insurance (NDOI) released a PBM-specific complaint form for reporting concerns. The form is reflective of what is in the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Licensure and Regulation Act that was passed in 2022. There is also a free text space for complaints that do not fall into those statutes. It is important to fill out this form completely and then send it to the NDOI via email or mail as follows:

Email: doi.insurancecomplaints@nebraska.gov

Mail: Nebraska Department of Insurance

P.O. Box 95087

Lincoln, NE 68509-5087

Any materials, medical records or documents that are provided at any time in connection with a complaint will be shared with the insurance companies or PBM against whom the complaint is filed, and their counsel. These documents may also be distributed to other parties engaged in a contested case or other matters pending before the Insurance Commissioner.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Department of Health and Human Services added the following items under the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Provider Resources dropdown.

• Daily Freezer Temperature Log
• Daily Refrigerator Temperature Log
• Daily Ultracold Freezer Temperature Log
• Quick Reminders
• Transport During Emergencies
• Vaccine Restitution Form
• VFC Borrowing Report
• Vaccine Storage Troubleshooting Report
• Clinic Line Listing Template
• Clinic Line Listing Blank

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Tobacco Free Nebraska announced its partnership with the Mayo Clinic’s Nicotine Dependence Center to host Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training in Lincoln.

Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) training is a specialized training for healthcare professionals about providing treatment for individuals seeking to quit tobacco. The program is worth 29 AMA, ANCC, ACPE, or CE credits and covers topics such as pharmacotherapy, motivational interviewing, evidence-based practice, sustaining tobacco treatment protocols and working with special populations. This course is delivered through a blended learning format in which instruction is completed first online through the Brightspace platform as a self-paced training, followed by a live, interactive 3-day training in Lincoln on March 4-6, 2025. The cost of the training registration is funded by Tobacco Free Nebraska, so no cost is associated with registration.

The online portion of training opens January 28 and closes February 28, so individuals are encouraged to register now to have ample time to complete the online portion of the training that is due before participation in the in-person class on March 4-6.

The training is for healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, who have a strong interest in the field of tobacco or health or provide clinical care to people who use tobacco. Participants must be tobacco-free for at least six months prior to starting the training. To complete full certification, 240 practice hours must be completed within two years of the training. Click here for more information on requirements.

Registration is available online. Click “create an account” to begin the registration process. Reach out to Kyla Scott if you have any questions.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the durable medical equipment, prosthetic, orthotics and medical supplies (DMEPOS) fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, and published 471-000-507 Nebraska Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetic, Orthotics and Medical Supplies (DMEPOS). 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Medicaid Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board posted the January 14 meeting agenda.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Medicaid has contracted with Myers and Stauffer LC to perform a pharmacy cost of dispensing survey. The due date for the cost of dispensing survey will be January 29, 2025. All providers are encouraged to participate. The cost of dispensing survey tool and instructional letters are available online.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board posted the November 12 draft meeting minutes. The next meeting will be on January 14, 2025.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy posted the draft November 4 meeting minutes.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy posted the revised #2 agenda (October 25, 2024) for the November 4 Board of Pharmacy Meeting. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board posted a list of the DUR Board Members. Also, the agenda for the next DUR Board Meeting on November 12, 2024, has been posted. 

Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced plans for an upcoming pharmacy cost of dispensing survey. Cost of dispensing surveys are anticipated to be distributed to pharmacies that participate in the Medicaid program on December 4, 2024. The due date for the cost of dispensing survey will be January 29, 2025. All providers are encouraged to participate. The cost of dispensing survey tool and instructional letters will be posted on this page by December 4, 2024. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the Excel file of the fee schedule for Injectables October 1, 2024 and published 471-000-540 Nebraska Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule for Injectionables.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.