HJAR Nov/Dec 2023

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  NOV / DEC 2023 47 Cynthia Neuhofel Pharmacy Program Administrator and Assistant Director for the Division of Medical Services Arkansas Department of Human Services supplemental supplies a member can use to monitor blood sugar. Typical supplies include a blood sugar meter and the meter supplies (testing strips and solutions) or components of continuous glucose monitors for more in- tensive management. Some patients, espe- cially with Type 1 diabetes, can use an insulin pump which has its own arsenal of monitors and diagnostic supplies. In the past, diabetic supplies were admin- istered as a medical benefit under Medic- aid, while insulin and diabetic medications were covered as a pharmacy benefit. Starting around Jan. 1, 2024, all diabetic supplies will move to a pharmacy benefit for all Medicaid members and will no longer be managed un- der the medical program. Medicaid members will get their medications and non-drug dia- betic supplies all from a pharmacy and not have to navigate durable medical equipment paperwork and review. This will streamline services for members with diabetes, and it will align the Arkansas Medicaid program with payment frameworks of commercial benefit plans. Diabetes represents a significant driver of acute care events in emergency rooms and hospital admissions. Aside from short-term control problems, long-term complications such as blindness, renal failure, and cardio- vascular complications can be mitigated in the population with more attentive diabetic management. Arkansas Medicaid hopes that the integration of diabetic supplies into the pharmacy benefit programwill facilitate pa- tient efforts to control their diabetes in con- cert with their healthcare team. n Cynthia Neuhofel currently serves as the pharmacy programadministrator and assistant director for the Division of Medical Services (DMS) within theArkan- sas Department of Human Services (DHS).She began her time with DHS as a clinical pharmacist with the DMS Pharmacy program in 2014 before assuming her current role.Neuhofel has an extensive pharmacy background. She received a Doctor of Pharmacy de- gree fromUAMS,and before joining DHS,she worked for a contractor servicingArkansasMedicaid and as a staff pharmacist forWalgreen’s,a senior professional healthcare representative for Pfizer, and pharmacy manager for USA/Petty’s Drugs. diet, physical activity, risk factor modifica- tion, clinical follow up, and ongoing monitor- ing are all important elements of successful long-term management planning. Testing blood sugar is an important component to monitoring diabetes, and most providers will test for hemoglobinA1C at least twice a year. The A1C level reflects average blood sugar levels for the past two to three months. Many diabetics will test their blood sugar at home with a traditional blood sugar me- ter that utilizes strips to assess blood sug- ars. Patients withmore complicated diabeties can utilize a continuous blood glucose meter, which tracks blood sugar levels in real time with biosensors to give real-time feedback about the impact of diet and medication use on an individual’s metabolic control of their diabetes. Arkansas Medicaid covers various treat- ments and supplies that a member diagnosed with diabetes would need, whether Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Besides insulins and the many other various medications, there are