The Prescription Monitoring Program's (PMP) Advisory Committee is meeting remotely on March 28. The meeting materials and agenda will be posted, when available. 

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) provided an update to the Clinical Prior Authorization Assistance Chart, identifying which clinical prior authorization each MCO uses and whether the MCO uses all or some of the steps in the evaluation process. 

• Change in Preferred Drug List Status for "Immunosuppressives, Oral" Drug Class 
• VDP System Transition Information Available 
• Updated Payer Sheets Available 

Finally in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) selected Gainwell Technologies as the pharmacy benefit administrator for the Vendor Drug Program. Gainwell will continue to use the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) standard D.0 telecommunication standard format for pharmacy claim transactions beginning on March 30. 

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

Texas was one of 15 states who held their primary election contest on Super Tuesday. The ballot included President, U.S. Senator, all 38 U.S. House seats, Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals Justices, district attorney's and sheriffs, all 150 Members of the Texas House of Representatives and 15 State Senate seats. The House races were dominated the headlines with border, school choice/vouchers, and the Articles of Impeachment that were brought by the Republican-controlled House against the sitting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R). Nine incumbents lost their seats, and nine incumbents are facing a primary runoff on May 28th.nIn fact, for the first time in more than 50 years, the Speaker of the House, Dade Phelan (R) has been forced into a runoff election. 

Also in Texas, the Health, and Human Services Commission (HHSC) selected Gainwell Technologies as the pharmacy benefit administrator for the Texas Vendor Drug (VDP) Program. For pharmacies: 

• Pharmacy Payer Sheets Revised Feb. 26; For Use Beginning March 30 
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Transaction Standard 835 Companion Guide Now Available 

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

The State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) adopted and proposed several new rules at the February quarterly meeting. 

Also in Texas, the TSBP publishes a monthly newsletter aimed at informing interested parties about law and rule changes and news relating to the practice of pharmacy in the state. 

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

The Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Advisory Committee Zoom meeting is scheduled for March 28. Additional information will be posted on the website as it becomes available. 

Also in Texas, the Health and Humans Services Commission (HHSC) provided information on two diabetes programs:  

• Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) is a program at The University of Texas in Houston that educates pregnant women and women with children about living a healthier lifestyle for them and their children. Moms participate in weekly cooking classes, exercise classes, support groups and a bag filled with fresh fruits and vegetables along with healthy recipes.  
• Texas Research-to-Policy Collaboration (TX RPC) project by the Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living aims to improve the health of Texans by "using Texas research, data and resources to assist legislators in developing effective health policies". TX RCP supports Texas legislators by providing state-level data and research on current health issues, and by establishing partnerships between researchers and state policymakers. 

 Finally in Texas, the Statewide Health Coordinating Council, appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and administratively linked to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), will hold its next meeting on February 29 and posted its agenda.  

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

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced a May 4 special election to serve the remainder of former Sen. John Whitmire's (D) term.  

Also in Texas, the Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI) Board held a meeting on February 9. 

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

The quarterly public meeting of the Board of Pharmacy will be held on February 6, at the Barbara Jordan State Office Building, Room 2.013. The agenda and meeting materials are posted. Live live-stream information is available on the board's website. Anyone wishing to address the Board regarding an agenda item during the public meeting must submit a Public Comment Request form by 5:00 pm on February 2. Oral comments will be limited to the agenda items.  

Also in Texas, Jill Dutton (R) won the January 30 special runoff election, by 107 votes out of more than 13,500 cast, to replace expelled Rep. Bryan Slaton (R) for House District 2. The victory is short-lived as she will face off against the same GOP candidate Brent Money in the March 5 Republican primary election.  

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) drafted a policy to apply a uniform 90-day supply of maintenance medications in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The HHSC received pushback from stakeholders expressing difficulty obtaining a 90-day supply of medication. You can submit comments by February 15 to the HHSC Vendor Drug Program (VDP) using the Draft Policy Comment Submission form. 

Also in Texas, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are required to notify the Board of a change of employment within ten days. This information can be found in Board rule §291.3 for pharmacists and Board rule §297.9 for pharmacy technicians.

Finally in Texas, HHSC's VDP (Vendor Drug Program) posted a pharmacy education and opportunities page on its website so that pharmacies know what pharmacy items Medicaid pays for, which products require prior authorization and who to contact with questions about claim processing. 

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

The Medicaid Vendor Drug Program (VDP) held a virtual quarterly pharmacy stakeholder meeting on January 17. 

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

The next quarterly meeting of the Board of Pharmacy is Tuesday, February 6, at the new Barbara Jordan State office building. The agenda will be posted here when it becomes available. 

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

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) appointed Mike McKinney, M.D., Golinda Erowele, PharmD, and Tony Schell to the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative Governing Board. McKinney will serve as the Chair of the Board tasked with developing a business plan to provide cost effective drugs and other medical supplies for the public employee sector. 

Also in Texas, the Governor reappointed two chain pharmacists, Rick Fernandez with Walgreens, and Julie Spier with Albertsons Companies to additional 6-year terms to the State Board of Pharmacy. Gov. Abbott also appointed two new members to the Board, Randy Martin, a pharmacist and clinical services manager at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, and public member Garrett Marquis, chief communications officer for the Bank of New York Mellon. 

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) alerted providers that beginning January 1, 2024, the managed care organization Amerigroup, began operating under a new name Wellpoint.  

Finally in Texas, the State Board of Pharmacy updated licensing and renewal fees effective January 1, 2024. Fees for pharmacists and pharmacies have increased, but there was no change to pharmacy technician fees. The Board of Pharmacy also established new fees for remote pharmacies. 

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