The Department of Health and Human Services posted the agenda for the next Medicaid DUR Board Meeting scheduled to be held on May 10. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services issued Request for Proposal (RFP) Number 112209 O3 facilitating the selection of a qualified bidder to provide a full-risk, capitated Medicaid Managed Care program for physical health, behavioral health, pharmacy and dental services for at least the next five years. Nearly all Medicaid beneficiaries currently receive health care services through Heritage Health, the state’s integrated managed care program.  

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

Executive Order No. 22-02 — Continued Waivers to Facilitate Hospital Planning and Ensure Additional Healthcare Workforce Capacity — states “Executive Order No. 21-15, which is currently scheduled to expire on March 31, 2022, per [E]xecutive [O]rder No. 21-18, shall remain in effect through September 30, 2022.” See item 6 in Executive Order No. 21-15 suspending Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-2866.01 and its implementing regulations “in order 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”.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on May 4 at noon (Central).

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

Executive Order No. 21-18 Continued Waivers to Facilitate Hospital Planning and Ensure Additional HealthCare Workforce Capacity expired on March 31. Executive Order No. 21-18 extended Executive Order 21-15 Further Health Care Workforce Capacity that permitted pharmacists to have any number of pharmacist interns and pharmacy technicians under their supervision when administering vaccinations. Beginning April 1, the ratio reverts to pre-pandemic levels.

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

Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) signed into law LB 767, creating the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Licensure and Regulation Act. This act “…establishes the standards and criteria for the licensure and regulation of pharmacy benefit managers….” The effective date is January 1, 2023. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a “Health Alert Network Advisory” about increasing incidence of syphilis in the state. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the fee schedule for COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibodies effective March 11.  

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on April 6 at noon (Central). This webpage also includes links to notes and audio recordings of previous calls.   

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

The Board of Pharmacy published a REVISED meeting agenda for March 7 and draft January 10, 2022 meeting minutes. 

Also in Nebraska, The Department of Health and Human Services has posted the draft minutes from the January 11, 2022, DUR Board Meeting. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on March 2 at noon (Central).  

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services has posted the DUR (Drug Utilization Review) Board March 8 meeting agenda and DUR Policy Statements (as of July 2021). 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on February 16 at noon (Central). 

Also in Nebraska, prior to a Health and Human Services Committee hearing, NACDS submitted a statement for the record in support of LB 812, legislation that would permit pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines under certain conditions.

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

The Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on February 2 at noon (Central).   

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services made available the new COVID-19 Ad Hoc Fee Schedule (1.1.2022), including adjustments to payments for administration of COVID-19 vaccines. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Service posted the revised fee schedule for injectables effective January 1, 2022 REVISED. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services issued Provider Bulletin 22-05A to notify providers that effective January 15, 2022, OTC COVID at-home tests will be covered by Medicaid. The reimbursement policy is up to $12.00 for a kit containing one test or up to $24.00 for a kit containing two tests is allowed.  

Finally, the Department of Health and Human Services issued Provider Bulletin 22-06 announcing changes to the Tobacco Cessation Program. Effective December 26, 2021, enrollment in the Nebraska Tobacco Free Quitline is no longer required to be able to receive tobacco cessation products; enrollment is still encouraged. 

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