The state received a preliminary notice of award from CMS for approximately $218 million for the first year, which is more than what was budgeted for in the application materials. Due to the increased amount of the award, the state must revise some of the application materials that were submitted. Those revised documents must be submitted to and approved by CMS before work can begin. The state intends to release multiple Requests for Applications (RFA) as opportunities for organizations to apply for funds and assist with implementing this important work. To learn more about project initiatives, view the Project Narrative .​

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

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the draft minutes from the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board’s January 13 meeting. The next meeting will be held on May 12. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services published the following new fee schedules effective January 2026: 

• Durable Medical Equipment, Medical Supplies, Orthotics and Prosthetics 

• • Notice 

• • Spreadsheet 

• Immunizations 

• • Notice 

• • Spreadsheet 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services published the following Medicaid Program Provider Bulletins:  

• Provider Bulletin 25-29: New Immunization/Vaccine Fee Schedule 

• Provider Bulletin 25-28: Changes to the Nebraska Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL) 

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for its January 12 meeting. Please note the discussion addressing the reduction of retail pharmacy hours and filling of controlled substance prescriptions issued by emergency rooms. Also, the Board posted the draft November 17, 2025, meeting minutes.

Also in Nebraska, the Medicaid Provider Manual has recently been updated; see Provider Bulletin 25-30A for more information.

Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the “First-In-The-Nation Waiver Restricting Soda and Energy Drinks from SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program]” effective January 1, 2026.

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted an agenda for its November 17 meeting. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in partnership with the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, has launched the Prevention & Care Provider Survey to find out more about care of certain infectious diseases in the state. 

This anonymous online survey asks about your experiences and perspectives related to prevention, testing and diagnosis, patient care and services in Nebraska, with some questions asking about HIV in particular. Your input is critical for informing policies on HIV prevention and care across the state. 

To access the survey, please visit: https://go.unl.edu/hiv-providersurvey or scan the QR code with a mobile device. 

The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. All responses go directly to researchers at the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center. DHHS will receive only a summary of aggregated results, no individual responses or identifying information will be collected or shared. 

The survey will remain open until December 5. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Quinn Lewandowski of the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center at qlewandowski2@nebraska.edu or 402-472-9459.  

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services posted the draft minutes from the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board's October 28 meeting. The next meeting will be held on January 13, 2026. 

Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services added the Buprenorphine: Practical Clinical Guidance for Prescribers​ under DUR Resources.  

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

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the Injectables fee schedule effective October 2025.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services posted the October 28 agenda for Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board.

Finally in Nebraska, the state’s Medicaid Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board is currently seeking nominations for physicians and pharmacists to serve on the Medicaid Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board. Board members are required to serv​e a three-year term with a three-year renewal opportunity. Meetings are held at least quarterly and no more than six times a year (every two months). All interested applicants are required to submit an application.​

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

The Department of Health and Human Services announced CMS approved state Plan amendment 25-0010: Recovery Audit Contractor, waiving the requirement to implement a Recovery Audit Contractor for an additional two years effective December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2027. Neb Rev Stat 68-974(3)(a) excludes Managed Care claims from the scope of the Recovery Audit Contractor. Recall, the state implemented Heritage Health, combining physical health, behavioral health and pharmacy programs into a single managed care system, effective January 1, 2017. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the agenda for the September 9 meeting of the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board.

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

As a reminder, LB 118 (Statute 38-2866.01), 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, is effective September 3. Also recall, for any pharmacist supervising four pharmacy technicians or pharmacist interns, at least one person must be a certified pharmacy technician. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the first round of Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits, issued on April 23, 2025, will be expiring on August 23, 2025. Summer EBT funds can be used to purchase nutritious foods at grocery stores, online food retailers, and farmer's markets that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT.  

Finally in Nebraska, the Board of Pharmacy published its draft minutes from the July 14 meeting. The next Board of Pharmacy meeting is scheduled for September 8. 

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