The Legislature will convene a 30-day fiscal session on January 20 and adjourn on February 19.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed into law SB 3, legislation passed during the October special session that allows for consideration of guidance from the state’s Department of Health (NMDOH) or the American Academy of Pediatrics, instead of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), in drafting regulations. The new law also requires NMDOH to publish rules providing immunization recommendations for adults wishing to be vaccinated, using the guidance from the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians or the Department of Health.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) called lawmakers into a special session starting on October 1 consider a package of measures, including:  

• Funding the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to allow stabilization grants for quality health care providers. 

• Taking action to make health insurance premiums more affordable in the marketplace and for New Mexicans losing Medicaid coverage. 

• New investments in food assistance for children, senior citizens and families in need. 

• Additional resources to help the Health Care Authority prepare for upcoming Medicaid enrollment changes. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

HB 174, legislation that requires a rate floor for “local” pharmacies, unanimously passed the House on March 3 and was referred to the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee. Chain pharmacies oppose the bill because it applies to local pharmacies only.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Pharmacists Association (NMPhA) announced its new Executive Director, Alexandra (Lex) Garcia. Lex replaces Dale Tinker, who has been at the helm of the association for 35 years.

Also in New Mexico, despite pushback from Democratic leadership, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) called the legislature into a 30-day (or less) special session beginning on July 18.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Department of Health Care Medical Assistance Division notified Medicaid Pharmacy Providers that some of the Group and PCNs were incorrect. Here’s the updated list:

Presbyterian

• PBM Name: Capital RX
• BIN: 610744
• PCN: CRXMC
• Group: PHPCAID

United Healthcare

• PBM Name: Optum Rx
• BIN: 610494
• PCN: 4941
• Group: ACUNM

Molina

• PBM Name: CVS Caremark
• BIN: 004336
• PCN: MCAIDADV
• Group: RX51EA

Blue Cross Blue Shield

• PBM Name: Prime Therapeutics
• BIN: 011552
• PCN: SALUD
• Group: N72100 – N/A

Fee-For-Service

• PBM Name: Conduent
• BIN: 610084
• PCN: DRNMPROD
• Group: NEWMEXMED

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Department of Health issued protocols to increase access at pharmacies for Medicaid patients to over-the-counter (OTC) emergency contraception, the OTC progestin-only birth control pill and the OTC home pregnancy tests. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

To increase access to over-the-counter (OTC) emergency contraception, the OTC progestin-only birth control pill and OTC home pregnancy tests, the Department of Health’s standing order allows Medicaid patients to access these OTC items from the pharmacy and covers these items at pharmacies.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

On behalf of our members operating pharmacies throughout the state, NACDS sent Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) a letter regarding our concerns with HB 165 that was sent to her to be signed into law.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.