The Board of Pharmacy distributed its November 6 meeting agenda and the September 18 draft meeting minutes.

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

The Department of Health and Human Services issued Provider Bulletin 23-26 announcing changes to the Coverage and Payment of Adult Vaccines effective October 1, 2023. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Provider call will be held on November 1 at noon (Central); see details below to join the call. Also, the recording from October 4 COVID-19 Provider call has been posted. 

Join from the meeting link:
https://sonvideo.webex.com/sonvideo/j.php?MTID=mc307e2dda218d1060adfed7f454cfc16 

Join by phone:
408-418-9388 (access code: 2480 661 3098)   

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services posted the 471-000-540 Medicaid Practitioners Fee Schedule for Injectables (October 1, 2023). 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services posted the draft minutes from the September 12 Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board Meeting. The next DUR Board Meeting will be held on November 14. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services launched the iServe Nebraska Portal's new integrated benefit application that will make it easier for Nebraskans to apply for Medicaid and Economic Assistance benefit programs. Nebraskans can apply for benefits such as food, heat, electricity, healthcare, childcare, and other essential needs at the same time using the single, online iServe Nebraska application. 

Also in Nebraska, Gov. Jim Pillen (R) approved emergency regulations related to the Let Them Grow Act. Please note the requirements for picking up prescribed medications from a pharmacy. For both puberty blocking drug prescriptions and cross-sex hormone prescriptions for a patient who has not reached the age of majority, these prescribed medications picked up from a pharmacy are required to be picked up by the patient's parent, legal guardian, or the patient if the patient is an emancipated minor. Additionally, these prescriptions must identify the drugs being prescribed are for the treatment of gender nonconformity or gender dysphoria. The process to implement final regulations for LB 574 will proceed pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. The anticipated public hearing date is November 28; a draft of the proposed final regulations will be posted at least 30 days prior to that hearing. 

Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released the final draft of regulations for the Let Them Grow Act. A public hearing will be held on November 28 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Lancaster Event Center – Lincoln Room at 4100 N 84th St., Lincoln, NE 68507. People interested are encouraged to provide written comments via mail, fax, or email, no later than 11:59 PM on the day of the hearing. Comments may be faxed to 402-742-2382, emailed to dhhs.regulations@nebraska.gov or mailed to: DHHS Legal Services, PO Box 95026, Lincoln NE 68509-5026. Additional information can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions page on the DHHS website. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services announced new income guidelines have increased the number of families who could qualify for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition assistance program. Some families who were not eligible for the program in the past may now qualify. Current Medicaid, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or ADC (Aid to Dependent Children) recipients are income-eligible for the WIC program. All foster children under five years of age and pregnant teen moms in foster care are income-eligible for WIC. 

Also in Nebraska, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the September 18 meeting and the draft minutes from the July 10 Board of Pharmacy meeting.  

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

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced new income guidelines have increased the number of families who could qualify for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition assistance program. Some families who were not eligible for the program in the past may now qualify. Current Medicaid, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or ADC recipients are income-eligible for the WIC program. All foster children under five years of age and pregnant teen moms in foster care are income-eligible for WIC. 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services Division of Children and Family Services, Economic Assistance issued will be issuing Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) benefits to Nebraska households on August 15 for school-age children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals during the second half of the 2022-2023 school year period. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services posted the Medicaid provider fee schedule for Durable Medical Equipment, Medical Supplies, Orthotics and Prosthetics July 1, 2023 (REVISED 8.16.23). 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) posted the following: 

• COVID-19 Provider Update Call on August 2 at noon (Central): Join using the link or dialing by phone:  

https://sonvideo.webex.com/sonvideo/j.php?MTID=mc307e2dda218d1060adfed7f454cfc16 or 408-418-9388 (access code: 2480 661 3098​)  

• Durable Medical Equipment, Medical Supplies, Orthotics and Prosthetics effective July 1, 2023: 

• • Medicaid Services – 471-000-507 
  • New Fee Schedule 

• COVID-19 Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2023 

• State Plan Amendment 23-007: Over the Counter and Cosmetic Drugs – Approved 

• Injectables Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2023 

• • Medicaid Services – 471-000-540 
  • New Fee Schedule 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) posted the COVID-19 Fee Schedule effective May 31, 2023. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services Division of Children and Family Services Economic Assistance issued Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) benefits to households for school-age children eligible for free or reduced-priced school meals during the 2022-2023 school year. Children with an eligible COVID-19 absence from school will receive monthly support ranging from $25 to $139. 

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

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.