Erica Joyner – Page 12 – In The States

Indiana

The Department of Health issued the standing order and protocol for pharmacists to provide without a prescription self-administered hormonal contraceptives products.

Statewide Standing Order for Administration of Hormonal Contraceptives (updated 9/1/23)
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Statewide Protocol for Hormonal Contraceptives (updated 9/1/23)

Also in Indiana, the state’s Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) Medicaid issued several bulletins:

Pharmacy updates approved by Drug Utilization Review Board September 2023
IHCP updates Preferred Diabetes Supplies List
IHCP expands coverage for Vaxneuvance to the pediatric population
Correcting the ages covered through the VFC (Vaccines for Children) program for members ages 6 weeks through 18 years of age
IHCP updates pharmacy benefit long-acting reversible contraceptive coverage

IHCP removes cost-sharing obligations for pharmacist-administered adult vaccines

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

Erica Joyner2023-10-06T10:05:23-04:00October 6, 2023|Indiana|

Iowa

The Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Medicaid posted INFORMATION LETTER NO. 2503-MC-FFS – 2023 Annual Provider Training.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Erica Joyner2023-10-06T10:04:34-04:00October 6, 2023|Iowa|

The Board of Pharmacy announced that the Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Committee adopted several protocols for testing and initiation of therapy for:
– Suspected Influenza in Adult Patients
– Suspected Influenza in Patients under 18 years of age
– Suspected Acute Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Adult Patients
– Suspected Acute Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Patients under 18 years of age
– Suspected Acute Uncomplicated Lower Urinary Tract Infection in Women

Also in Kansas, the Board of Pharmacy approved a new emergency opioid antagonist (EOA) protocol adding an opioid antagonist drug ready-to-use nasal spray device to the drugs that may be dispensed.

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

Erica Joyner2023-10-06T10:03:50-04:00October 6, 2023|Kansas|

Kentucky

It is NACDS’ understanding that pharmacy claims for the updated Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been rejecting under the pharmacy benefit through MedImpact. The Kentucky Pharmacy Association shared with us that Medicaid has decided to cover the new vaccines under the pharmacy benefit. MedImpact is working on system edits to accommodate pharmacy billing and will notify pharmacies when it is implemented. Additionally, managed care coverage will begin for the Abrysvo (Pfizer) and Arexvy (GSK) RSV vaccines effective October 6. For more information on Medicaid vaccine coverage, please see the updated version of MedImpact’s Vaccine Coverage Expansion.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Erica Joyner2023-10-06T10:03:05-04:00October 6, 2023|Kentucky|

Louisiana

Effective October 1, 2023, the Department of Health (LHD) is increasing the professional dispensing fee (PDF) $0.82 to $11.81 for local pharmacies only for all Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) and Managed Care Organization (MCO)claims. The current PDF is $10.99.

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) Bureau of Health Services Financing’s Interim Medicaid Executive Director Kimberly Sullivan announced the new implementation date for the Single Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM) for Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) is now October 28, 2023. Magellan Medicaid Administration Inc. will serve as the single PBM processor for all six MCOs (Aetna, AmeriHealth Caritas, Healthy Blue, Humana Healthy Horizons, Louisiana Healthcare Connections and United Healthcare).

Also in Louisiana, the Board published five final rules in the September 20, 2023, edition of the Louisiana Register, with immediate effective dates.

Regulatory Project 2023-03 – Pharmacy Benefit Managers
Regulatory Project 2023-04 – Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention
Regulatory Project 2023-05 – Pharmacy Change of Ownership
Regulatory Project 2023-06 – Staffing Ratios
Regulatory Project 2023-08 – DATA-Waiver Registration Elimination

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) Medicaid issued several documents detailing changes also effective October 1:

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

Erica Joyner2023-10-06T10:02:30-04:00October 6, 2023|Louisiana|

Maryland

Medicaid has issued Advisory #251 from the Office of Pharmacy Services in reference to the COVID-19 Home Test Kit Coverage for The Maryland Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) Program. Anyone interested in directly receiving upcoming Advisories may forward his/her name, company affiliation and email address directly to: Deborah.washington@maryland.gov.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Erica Joyner2023-10-06T10:01:36-04:00October 6, 2023|Maryland|

Michigan

The Board of Pharmacy has posted the public notice and agenda for the October 30 Rules Committee Work Group meeting and the minutes from the September 11 Rules Committee Work Group meeting.

Also in Michigan, MDHHS (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services) has proposed a rule regarding documenting patient consent for automatic refills that aligns with 2014 CMS guidance. Comments are due November 7 to the email noted on the policy’s transmittal sheet.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Erica Joyner2023-10-06T10:00:42-04:00October 6, 2023|Michigan|

Missouri

On September 28, the Board of Pharmacy issued a statement on working conditions recommending that pharmacies review current operations and address any issues that may impede safe patient care, including pharmacy staffing and any metrics/quotas that may hinder safe patient services. The Board also recommends pharmacies provide any additional resources or protections needed to minimize any job-related stressors of pharmacy personnel.

Also in Missouri, the Board of Pharmacy posted the September newsletter which includes detailed information on pharmacists’ new immunization authority, and the recently revised statewide naloxone standing order.

Also in Missouri, the state’s Department of Social Services Division of Health published rules in the State Register (p13-15) establishing a Pharmacy Federal Reimbursement Allowance and methodologies to determine the formula for the amount of allowance each pharmacy is required to pay for the privilege of providing outpatient prescription drugs.

Finally in Missouri, the Department of Health and Senior Services’ Division of Regulation and Licensure issued an emergency regulation on Controlled Substances.

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

Erica Joyner2023-10-06T09:59:48-04:00October 6, 2023|Missouri|

Ohio

The Senate Health Committee will hold a proponent hearing on SB 144, sponsored by Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R), on October 11 at 9:30 a.m. The legislation would authorize pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to administer routine childhood vaccines to patients 5 years of age and older and remove the prescription requirement for these vaccines. The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants and the Ohio Pharmacists Association will be testifying and NACDS will submit written testimony in support. Testimony and letters of support are due at 9:30 a.m. on October 10. If any members wish to weigh in, either in person or with written testimony, please contact Jill McCormack for further details.

Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy has issued a lengthy agenda for the October 24 public hearing.

Finally in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy has posted Proposed Compounding Rules related to USP 795 and 797. Comments are due October 24.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Erica Joyner2023-10-06T09:58:51-04:00October 6, 2023|Ohio|

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