January 6, 2010

Nebraska Medicaid Preferred Drug List as of January 6, 2010

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services started implementing a Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL) in October 2009 as required by the state's 2008 Medicaid Prescription Drug Act. The state seeks to increase utilization of less costly medications for Medicaid beneficiaries. A Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee was formed; at the first meetings, which took place in August and September 2009, the committee members voted on preferred or non-preferred status for 34 drug classes. Only drugs that are part of the listed therapeutic categories are affected by the PDL. Antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants are exempted from the PDL process under current legislation. Sedative hypnotics will be reviewed in March 2010.