Effective November 9, the Department of Health and Human Services published the COVID Ad-Hoc Fee Schedule Booster – Pediatric Vaccine Update.  

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

The Board of Pharmacy published the November 8 meeting agenda and the September 13 draft meeting minutes. The November 8 meeting will be in-person and available to the public via WEBEX; see the agenda for details. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next weekly COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on November 17 at noon (Central). 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services announced the next weekly COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on November 3 at noon (Central).

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services added the September 2021 DUR Board draft meeting minutes for approval to the website. Other materials for the DUR Board November 9, 2021, meeting include the agenda and DUR Policy Statements (as of July 2021).

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

The Dept. of Health and Human Services has posted the DUR Board November 9, 2021, meeting agenda and DUR Policy Statements (as of July 2021); see links below.

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

On October 13, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) signed Executive Order No. 21-15 — Further Health Care Workforce Capacity, including language waiving “Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-2866.01 and its implementing regulations… to permit pharmacists to have any number of pharmacist interns and pharmacy technicians under their supervision insofar as they determine it necessary within their professional discretion when administering vaccinations…”. It took immediate effect and will remain in effect until December 31, 2021.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced the next weekly COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on October 20 at noon (Central).

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

The 471-000-540 Nebraska Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule for Injectables was updated effective October 1.

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

Effective October 1, all Medicaid beneficiaries will automatically receive full Medicaid benefits, including dental, vision and over-the-counter drugs as part of the Medicaid Expansion program. A new Medicaid card will not be needed for people who have current Medicaid coverage. Recall this change to the Medicaid Expansion program occurs as a result of the Department of Health and Human Services’ notice not to implement the Heritage Health Adult (HHS) demonstration that would have required engagement in wellness, personal responsibility and community engagement activities to quality for full Medicaid benefits.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced the next weekly COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on October 6 at noon.  Information to access the call has been posted on the DHHS website.

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

The Department of Health and Human Services issued a Health Alert Network Update notifying healthcare providers and facilities that COVID-19 monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy has a new indication for post-exposure prophylaxis via emergency use authorization.  As of September 13, the US Government began allocating mAb therapy; infusion sites will no longer order mAb therapy directly from distributors. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy met in-person earlier this week on September 13 and distributed the draft meeting minutes from its two prior meetings held on July 26 and August 16.  NACDS will share the draft meeting minutes from the September meeting once available.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued several updates:

• The next COVID-19 Provider call will take place on September 22 at noon. Information to access the call has been posted on the DHHS website.
• Provider Bulletin 21-19 includes information related to the following:
  • Full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for individuals ages 16 and older, which does not change the reimbursement rate;
  • Coverage of an additional dose of some COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised individuals; and
  • A change in the number of additional fees that can be reimbursed for at-home vaccine administration.
• Provider Bulletin 21-18 includes a reminder that effective October 1, Heritage Health Adult will move from a two-tier benefit system to a single benefit package, including comprehensive physical and behavioral healthcare as well as vision, dental and over-the-counter drug coverage. A series of one-hour educational webinars have been scheduled for providers regarding these changes.  See bulletin for dates and times.

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