Tennessee Pharmacy Association's advocacy team has developed a comprehensive, user-friendly set of responses addressing the most common misinformation surrounding SB 2040 (Harshbarger) and HB 1959 (Scarbrough). This resource is intended to equip members with clear, accurate messaging to confidently respond to misleading claims, particularly those circulating on social media about the bills' intent and impact. Members are encouraged to use these prepared responses when engaging in online discussions or conversations where misinformation appears, helping ensure consistent, fact-based communication.  

Also, Tennessee patients and pharmacists who have received unwanted texts, calls or app restrictions related to lobbying efforts can report these concerns to the Tennessee Attorney General. Using pharmacy communication channels for political advocacy may violate consumer protection laws and health privacy laws, and filing a complaint helps ensure these practices can be investigated and addressed. To submit a report, use the official Attorney General complaint form.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Department of Commerce and Insurance’s new audit of CVS Caremark details extensive violations of the state’s PBM laws, which spans discriminatory reimbursement, banned spread pricing and appeals noncompliance. CVS Caremark has 30 days to comply with the findings, after which the matter will be referred to legal services. The Tennessee Pharmacy Association issued this statement of the findings. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Department of Health recently released a “Dear Colleague” provider communication highlighting recent changes to the hepatitis B vaccine recommendations. Specifically, this communication emphasizes the severity of hepatitis B infection for infants and adolescents, as well as how hepatitis B often goes undiagnosed, which leads to a delay in treatment.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

This notice is to inform you of changes to the TennCare pharmacy program. We encourage you to read this thoroughly and contact OptumRx’s Pharmacy Support Center (866-434-5520) should you have additional questions. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

TennCare has made updates to Obesity and Oncology drug management. GLP-1 prior authorizations will remain active for one year with no changes to the criteria for approval as of December 1, 2025. Initial claims for oncology products will no longer be for 14-days’ supply, but instead subject to plan limitations, quantity limits and prior authorization criteria taking effect January 1, 2026. For comprehensive, clinical criteria, please visit the TennCare/Optum Rx® website and scroll to find “PDL Criteria” under “Useful Links”. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

TennCare is continuing the process of reviewing all covered drug classes. Changes to the Preferred Drug List (PDL) occur as new classes are reviewed, and previously reviewed classes are revisited. As a result of these changes, some medications your patients are taking may be considered non-preferred agents in the future. Please inform your patients who are on these medications that switching to preferred products will decrease delays in receiving their medications. We encourage you to share this information with other TennCare providers. The individual changes to the PDL are listed below. The new PDL will be posted on January 1, 2026. For details on clinical criteria, please visit OptumRx/TennCare and click on “Criteria PDL” under “Useful Links”.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The deadline to submit an attestation of low-volume status and proof of actual prescription volume to your contracted PBMs is December 1. Volume status is based on your pharmacy’s actual prescription volume from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. For more information, please refer to the Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) rules. The Tennessee Pharmacists Association’s PBM resource page also has some helpful information to assist you with this process.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Pharmacy rules related to certified pharmacy technician administered immunizations and point-of-care tests are now effective. Please see rule 1140-02-.02.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Certification of low-volume status must be submitted to each PBM you work with by December 1 annually to ensure you receive the low-volume dispensing fee. The Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) rules 0780-01-95-.01(1) outlines requirements for submitting such certifications, including submitting proof of the pharmacy’s actual prescription volume from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.