NACDS is applauding a provision in North Carolina’s budget – Senate Bill (SB) 105 – that critically strengthens pharmacies’ ability to meet the health and wellness needs of patients in every corner of the state and to maintain the viability of their businesses.
SB 105 became law in North Carolina on Thursday, November 18.
Of note, North Carolina Medicaid transitioned from a fee-for-service program to a managed care program in July 2021, with five Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs) operating as the managed care companies. Pursuant to this transition, PHPs were required to reimburse pharmacies according to a specific methodology until at least June 30, 2022.
The provision in the new budget ensures that PHPs will continue to use this methodology through June 23, 2023 – a move that is important for preventing reimbursement to pharmacies below the actual cost of dispensing prescriptions to Medicaid patients.
“NACDS thanks State Representatives Wayne Sasser (R), Donna White (R), Donny Lambeth (R), Larry Potts (R), Kristin Baker (R) and State Senators Jim Perry (R), Joyce Krawiec (R) and Jim Burgin (R) for their strong support and for helping to ensure that this critical provision was included in the final Conference Report signed by Governor Roy Cooper (D-NC),” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson.
“NACDS is also appreciative of the efforts of the NACDS members, the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association and the Association of Community Pharmacists and their work to initiate legislation which will ultimately help protect North Carolina pharmacies and the more than two million Medicaid patients they serve.”
