Reminder to Register on the Texas VDP eCOI Portal

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On March 31, 2024, the Texas Vendor Drug Program Electronic Certification Of Information (eCOI) Portal opened for drug manufacturers to submit drugs for addition to the Texas Drug Code Index (TDCI), or formulary.

Information You Will Need

A drug must have the following for the VDP to consider it for inclusion on the formulary:

  • A rebate agreement with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  • A listing on the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program website
  • A listing on First Databank and Medi-Span

Drugs submitted through the portal should include the National Drug Code of the company holding the drug forth as its own and has the company's name on the label of the container sold to the pharmacy. All drugs on the formulary must bear the FDA-defined labeler code, except for a licensed, full-service drug wholesaler marketing the final sale to the provider.

  • Manufacturers should complete all fields in the "Drug Description," "Pricing Information," "Special Handling," and "Certification" sections in their entirety. You should complete the fields in the "Contacts" section as applicable.
  • The review process takes up to 90 days once the online form is submitted to HHSC and considered complete. Refer to the Medicaid Formulary Addition Process for the timelines of how and when HHSC adds drugs to the formulary. 
  • The eCOI form submission must be accompanied with the FDA approval letter(s).

For more information, refer to the VDP eCOI Portal User Guide. The Texas Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) requires drug companies to complete the Certificate of Information (COI) for VDP to consider drugs for coverage on the formulary in accordance with 1 TAC Section 1921 (Addition of Drugs to the Texas Drug Code Index).

HHSC uses the COI when a drug is new to the market or when an existing drug on the formulary has a new formulation or labeler changes.

For eCOI Portal Training

  1. Each person will need to register for eCOI Portal Training at mmislearningcenter.myabsorb.com. This link directs you to the Gainwell Learning Management System (LMS) where you can enroll for the training.
  2. You will need a specific enrollment key to register. Please email BaselineMedicaidTraining@gainwelltechnologies.com for the enrollment key. In the email, please include your name, company name, and manufacturer code.
  3. After you receive your enrollment key, you will need to create a password that contains at least one letter, one number, and be at least eight characters in length.
  4. Follow the directions for information needed to register for an account.  

eCOI Portal Registration Support

If you need help with registration, please call the Pharmacy and Technical Call Center at 800-435-4165, Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 7 pm (central time).