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.

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the following fee schedules effective July 2025: 

• Durable Medical Equipment, Medical Supplies, Orthotics and Prosthetics 

• Injectables 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) sent its fourth issuance of Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits to households with eligible school-age children. A one-time payment of $120 to purchase groceries will be issued for each eligible child, intended to cover the three summer months at $40 a month. Summer EBT benefits can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, online food retailers and farmer’s markets that accept SNAP EBT. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services published Provider Bulletin 25-10: Pharmacy Dispensing Fee Increase. Effective July 1, all pharmacies who fill a prescription for a Medicaid Fee-for-Service member will receive a professional dispensing fee rate increase from $10.38 to $10.50. Independent pharmacies, defined as those who own six or fewer pharmacies, who fill a prescription for a Medicaid managed care member will receive a professional dispensing fee rate increase from $10.38 to $10.50. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services published Provider Bulletin 25-09: Changes to the Nebraska Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL) effective July 18. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, in partnership with the State Board of Health, is seeking members for 25 professional healthcare boards, including the Board of Pharmacy. Applications are now being accepted for one pharmacist member on the Board of Pharmacy. The term begins on December 1, 2025, and ends on November 30, 2030. Details are available online. Please note the deadline for submission of an application and all supporting documentation is August 1.

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

A confirmed measles case in Sheridan County has been reported to the Department of Health and Human Services. The patient is an appropriately vaccinated child with no out-of-state travel history. This is the first confirmed case reported this year.

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

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) sent out its second issuance of Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits. Throughout the 2025 Summer EBT period, households with eligible school-age children can receive assistance in buying groceries during the program’s second year of operation. A one-time payment of $120 will be issued for each eligible child, intended to cover the three summer months at $40 a month. Eligible families will have 122 days, or four months, to use summer EBT benefits. Summer EBT benefits can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, online food retailers and farmer’s markets that accept SNAP EBT. 

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