The Department of Health and Human Services published a Notice of Public Hearing for changes to Nebraska Administrative Code (NAC) Title 172, Chapter 1 – Rules of Practice and Procedure Governing Reinstatement of a Health Professional License.  The hearing will be held on September 6 at 10:00 a.m. Written comments may be provided no later than the day of the hearing.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services posted a Notice of Public Hearing for changes to 172 NAC – Wholesale Drug Distributors and 172 NAC 134 – Delegated Dispensing Permits. The hearing will be held on September 7 at 10:00 a.m. Written comments may be provided no later than the day of the hearing.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services posted the following under Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Resources:

• PDMP Presentation
• PDMP FAQ

Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services published Provider Bulletin 22-13: Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccinations effective June 17.

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

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced the new fee schedule for injectables effective July 1, 2022. 

Also in Nebraska, the DHHS issued a notice of public hearing on August 8 for proposed changes to Title 471, Chapter 7 of the Nebraska Administrative Code (NAC) – Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Medical Supplies (DMEPOS). 

Also in Nebraska, the DHHS posted the July 12 DUR (Drug Utilization Review) Board Meeting Agenda and the May 10 Draft Minutes. 

 Also in Nebraska, the DHHS published Provider Bulletin 22-12: Changes to Nebraska Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL) effective July 22. 

Finally in Nebraska, the DHHS posted the following: 

• July 6 COVID Update Meeting Recording 

• Medicaid’s next COVID update call will be held on Wednesday, August 3 at noon (Central). Call details will be added at this website one week before the call. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services posted an agenda for the Nebraska Medicaid DUR (Drug Utilization Review) Board Meeting to be held on July 12.  

Also in Nebraska, a Technical Committee Meeting for the Credentialing Review (407) Pharmacy Technician is scheduled for June 28 and an agenda has been posted.  

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

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine Update effective May 17.  

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on July 6 at noon (Central).  

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

The Board of Pharmacy published its May 9 agenda (REVISED) and March 7 draft minutes. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department. of Health and Human Services distributed the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) Health Advisory: Updated Information on Availability and Use of Treatments for Outpatients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Who are at Increased Risk for Severe Outcomes of COVID-19. 

Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on June 1 at noon (Central). 

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

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.