On June 6, Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed LB 227 that includes among its various provisions the administration of vaccines by pharmacy technicians under the supervision of the pharmacist and the ability of the central fill pharmacy to deliver prescriptions to patients/caregivers if the dispensing pharmacy and the central fill pharmacy are under common ownership and whereas the dispensing pharmacy is responsible for prescriptions filled.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services posted the recording from the June 7 COVID-19 Provider Call.

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

The Department of Health and Human Services is accepting applications for Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) benefits for homeschooled and fully virtual school-age students (K-12); application deadline is June 22. Through P-EBT, eligible school children receive temporary emergency nutrition benefits loaded on EBT cards that are used to purchase food. All benefits for homeschooled students and fully virtual students will be issued on August 15, 2023, for the 2022-2023 school year. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced plans to distribute Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) benefits to households in the state with school-age children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals and children in childcare during the 2022-2023 school year period.  

Also in Nebraska, the DHHS issued recent guidance regarding Executive Orders expiring on June 30, 2023. The following requirements are no longer waived or deferred as of July 1, 2023. Providers are encouraged to reacquaint themselves with the original, pre-Executive Order, specific requirements. For more information, contact DHHS.LicensureUnit@Nebraska.gov.  

• Time-limited Provisional Licenses Pending Successful Examination Results 
• Onside, Face-to-Face, or Direct Supervision to Complete Certain Work or Training Required to Obtain a Credential 
• Practice Agreements 
• Direct Client-contact Hours 

Finally in Nebraska, the DHHS posted the following bulletins: 

• Provider Bulletin 23-15: Nebraska Medicaid to Cease Coverage for Makena Immediately 
• Provider Bulletin 23-14: Nebraska Medicaid Continues to Hold Weekly Public Webinars on the Unwind 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services posted information about the expiration of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency including fee-for-service providers are no longer allowed to extend prior authorizations that existed before the pandemic started through to the end of the pandemic without requiring follow-up visits and cost-sharing, including copayments/copays and premiums, will continue to be waived for members of Nebraska Medicaid until June 1, 2024. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Medicaid will hold weekly public webinars on the public health unwinding as part of the return to regular eligibility operations. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the Practitioner Fee Schedule for Injectables effective April 1, 2023. The Department also posted the COVID-19 Fee Schedule effective April 21. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services published the following: 

• Provider Bulletin 23-11: Pandemic Flexibilities That End After June 30, 2023  
• Provider Bulletin 23-10: Pandemic Flexibilities That End After May 11, 2023 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the DUR (Drug Utilization Review) Board Meeting scheduled for May 9 has been cancelled. The next meeting will be held on July 11.  

Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a public hearing on May 31 to receive comments on proposed changes to Title 471, Chapter 7  of the Nebraska Administrative Code (NAC) – Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Medical Supplies (DMEPOS). The proposed changes set the regulations’ scope and authority; update definitions; expand prescription authority; update provider requirements; update service requirements for covered and non-covered services; add glucose monitors as a covered service; update billing and payment requirements; remove unnecessary and outdated language; remove duplicate statutory language from the regulations; update formatting; and restructure the regulatory chapter. Written comments may be submitted no later than the day of the hearing to: DHHS Legal Services, PO Box 95026, Lincoln, NE 68509-5026, (402) 742-2382 (fax) or dhhs.regulations@nebraska.gov, respectively. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services published Provider Bulletin 23-08: Guidance on Telehealth.

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

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) published Provider Bulletin 23-06: Continuous Glucose Monitoring Updated Medicaid Reimbursement Policy that provides an update to Provider Bulletin 22-22 regarding coverage for eligible beneficiaries with diabetes effective January 1, 2023. 

Also in Nebraska, the Board of Pharmacy posted a revised agenda for the March 6 meeting.

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

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued Bulletin 23-04: Nebraska Medicaid Managed Care Contracts 2024. Contracts between DHHS and Molina Healthcare of Nebraska, Nebraska Total Care and United Healthcare have been signed and these organizations will prepare to provide services under the new contract beginning January 1, 2024. 

Also in Nebraska, DHHS posted the draft minutes from the November 15, 2022, Drug Utilization Review Board meeting. 

Finally in Nebraska, LB 778, amending the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Licensure and Regulation Act, has been scheduled for a hearing on March 21. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) posted recordings from the January 4 and February 6 COVID-19 Provider Calls. 

Also in Nebraska, the DHHS will host the next monthly COVID-19 provider call on March 1 at 12:00 noon (Central). Details will be posted on the website one week before the call. 

Also in Nebraska, the DHHS issued Provider Bulletin 23-02: Resuming Regular Reviews of Medicaid Eligibility and Provider Bulletin 22-22: CGM [Continuous Glucose Monitoring] Coverage by Medicaid. 

Finally in Nebraska, DHHS launched its iServe Nebraska Portal Explore Benefits Tool. The new portal offers an easy-to-use system for individuals to apply to get help with food, heat, electricity, healthcare, childcare, and other essential needs. Individuals may apply for a single benefit or more at the same time. 

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