The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced that the enhanced COVID-19 administration reimbursement rate for pharmacies will end on Sept. 30, 2022, as the new Single Pharmacy Benefits Manager (SPBM) program takes effect.  

Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy issued guidance on the implementation of HB 193, which mandates electronic prescribing of Schedule II controlled substances. As the guidance notes, the law has a "safe harbor" provision which allows pharmacies to continue to fill paper prescriptions without verifying that the prescriber has an exemption. The law goes into effect on Sept. 23, 2022. Special thanks to the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants for working with NACDS and members during the legislative process to ensure that the "safe harbor" provision was included in the law. 

Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy posted a notice regarding license renewals for Certified Pharmacy Technicians. The renewal process opens on Aug. 1, 2022. 

Finally in Ohio, the following are updates/reminders on the topic of the upcoming October implementation of the SPBM: 

• To request a spreadsheet on the new dispensing fees by store location, please email medicaidspbm@medicaid.ohio.gov and include a list of your store NPI numbers. 
• ODM sent a bulletin to pharmacies reminding them of important upcoming deadlines to participate in the SPBM program. 
• On August 3, 2022, the Cost of Dispensing survey that will be used to set rates in both the Fee for Service and the SPBM Managed Care programs be sent out to all enrolled Medicaid pharmacies by both US Mail as well as email, if ODM has an email for the pharmacy on record. Surveys are due back on September 14, 2022. Here is a copy of the draft survey instrument.
• Myers & Stauffer will host two instructional cost of dispensing survey webinars on Aug. 11 at 3:00 PM and Aug. 16 at 8:30 AM. Information to register for the webinars will be included in the survey packet sent to pharmacies. A draft of the dispensing survey tool can be viewed here.  
• For a list of specialty drugs and ingredient cost reimbursement by drug (OAAC (Ohio Average Acquisition Cost)) please visit the Myers & Stauffer Ohio Medicaid webpage. 

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

On July 19 at 11am ET, the Department of Medicaid (ODM) will hold an online seminar with Myers & Stauffer to discuss the upcoming mandatory Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey. NACDS emailed the information to join the online seminar to members on our Ohio list. However, if you need the call-in information, please contact Jill McCormack.  

Also in Ohio, Myers & Stauffer has published the Specialty Drug list to be implemented in October concurrent with the new Single PBM program. 

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

Last week, Medicaid (ODM (Ohio Department of Medicaid)) held a pharmacy stakeholders’ online seminar where they announced pharmacy reimbursement rates under the Single PBM, “Next Generation of Managed Care Program.” The slides and a recording of the online seminar can be found on the SBPM website.

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

In response to questions posed to Medicaid (ODM) at the May Joint Medicaid Operations Committee (JMOC) meeting related to the implementation of the Single Pharmaceutical Benefits Manager, ODM issued a letter that contains further detail on the implementation timeline and other issues of import to members.

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

The Department of Medicaid (ODM (Ohio Department of Medicaid)) has published an important update regarding the implementation of the Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager (SPBM). The update clarifies that reimbursement rates for the new program will be announced later this month, that Gainwell has launched a new webpage that includes important program information and useful guides including the SPBM Pharmacy Reference Guide (Provider Manual). The website will continue to be updated with information for members, pharmacies, and prescribers. Lastly, they have also released an updated version of their SBPM FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions), which includes answers to many questions NACDS had previously submitted on behalf of members. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy published a bulletin announcing Board meeting dates for the remainder of 2022.

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

Governor Mike DeWine (R) signed Executive Order 2022-05D to suspend the normal rulemaking process to allow the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to classify several bezimidazole-opioids as Schedule One drugs, meaning they have no accepted medical use in treatment and pose an imminent hazard to public health, safety, and welfare. 

Also in Ohio, The Department of Medicaid (ODM (Ohio Department of Medicaid)) has posted the slides from its most recent pharmacy stakeholder online seminar that outlines their future process for reimbursing pharmacies for Specialty Drugs under the Managed Care Single Pharmaceutical Benefits Manager Program (SPBM). Additionally, ODM announced that the implementation of the SPBM program has been delayed until October of 2022. More information can be found on the SPBM webpage. Members should expect ODM to schedule the next online seminar, on which ODM intends to announce new pharmacy rates, to be scheduled for the week of May 16. NACDS will email the invite to members operating in Ohio as soon as we receive it. 

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

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.