The Department of Medicaid (ODM) held its second stakeholder webinar regarding the implementation of the Single Pharmacy Benefits Manager (SPBM) under the Next Generation of Managed Care program on April 15. The subject matter was the new Specialty Drug Program. Copies of the PowerPoint slides and other information regarding the program can be found on ODM’s SPBM webpage. The slides state the next webinar will be held in early May and will cover SPBM pricing.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Medicaid (ODM)announced that Myers and Stauffer have begun sending acquisition cost surveys to pharmacies to help them determine Ohio Average Acquisition Cost (OAAC). ODM intends to use OAAC as part of the “lower of” calculation for ingredient cost reimbursement, to include NADAC and Usual and Customary, when they implement “The Next Generation of Managed Care.” Completed surveys are due April 30 and can be submitted by email, U.S. Post, or fax, as noted below, though electronic submission is preferred.

• Email OHSurveys@mslc.com. The email subject link should read: “Ohio Pharmacy Survey.”
• Mail Myers and Stauffer LC, Attn.: Ohio Pharmacy Survey 800 East 96th Street, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46240.
• Fax 317-566-3203. On the cover page, please include “ATTN – Ohio Pharmacy Survey.”

To learn more about the Next Generation of Medicaid managed care, visit Ohio Medicaid Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager (SPBM) | Ohio Medicaid Managed Care or email ODM at MedicaidSPBM@medicaid.ohio.gov.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Gov. Mike DeWine (R) has signed HB 37, legislation sponsored by Rep. Gayle Manning (R), that allows pharmacists to provide 30-day emergency refills without contacting the prescriber. NACDS and the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants advocated for passage of this legislation that aligns with our efforts to make COVID-19 business efficiencies permanent. The bill will be effective June 1.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced the timeline for upcoming “catch up” payments of the managed care “supplemental” dispensing fee to pharmacies along with a revised FAQ with further detail on the amount of the payments and formula for determining which payment tier your company will receive. Members will recall that these payments, which pharmacies have been receiving over the last few years, were delayed in the first quarter of 2022 while awaiting CMS approval. 

Also In Ohio, on March 11 ODM is hosting an online seminar for pharmacies to give further details about the upcoming contracting process with their new SPBM (Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager), Gainwell Technology. Click here to register. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

HB 37, a bill that NACDS and the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants jointly supported, has passed both Chambers and is on its way to the Governor for signature. Sponsored by Rep. Gayle Manning (R), it authorizes pharmacists to dispense emergency refills three times a year and requires health insurers to cover these prescriptions.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Health has announced that for a limited time, vaccine providers who plan to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 6 months through 4 years can place advance orders for the vaccine. This advance ordering window allows providers the chance to be among the first recipients of the new formulation created for this age group. Ordering is now open through the ImpactSIIS Vaccine Ordering Management System (VOMS), and orders for this initial ordering window must be submitted no later than noon on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. It is important to note that any providers placing orders for this first set of deliveries must have staff available to receive the shipment on President’s Day, Feb. 21. 

Also in Ohio: The Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC) will hold their monthly meeting on February 17 at 9am in the Senate Finance Room. Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran will provide an update on programs. You can access more information on JMOC’s webpage and it may be streamed and recorded on The Ohio Channel. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy has proposed a rule to modify the “DUR” requirements outlined in OAR 4729:5-5-08 for gabapentin prescriptions Under the existing rules for DUR, pharmacists are currently required to request and review the OARRS database prior to dispensing certain controlled substances prescriptions. The proposed rule would extend the PDMP review requirement to include certain prescriptions for gabapentin. Pharmacies have been required to report prescriptions for gabapentin to OARRS since 2016. Comments are due before the close of business on February 9 to RuleComments@pharmacy.ohio.gov and CSIPublicComments@governor.ohio.gov.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy recently posted the following documents on their webpage: 

Updated COVID Therapeutics Guidance  

Updated COVID Waivers  

Authorization for National Guard to Serve as Pharmacy Technician Trainees  

Enforcement of USP 800 and 825  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Health has published updated Guidance for Ohio Vaccine Providers for Administering Booster Doses.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.