Delaware
SB 219, legislation enhancing oversight and transparency related to PBMs, became law this week.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Georgia
The Department of Public Health, Division of Health Protection, Section of Emergency Preparedness and Response Department has received the following updates on the Moderna Expiry Lot Checker regarding the following lots: 046A21A, 008B21-2A, 017B21A, 020B21A, 022B21A, 039B21A, 046B21A, 044B21A. These have successfully been updated to the expiry look up tool. We have been informed that the Moderna team is continuing to work on the expiry extension and the next batch (weekly) will include five priority lots in distribution and all lots expiring in October.
If any providers have expiring doses that have not been updated in the Moderna Expiry Lot Checker yet, the advice is to safely quarantine the expired doses until the dose extension can be verified and to administer new shipments of Moderna vaccine in the meantime. If providers cannot safely quarantine doses of vaccine with unknown extension status and there is concern that expired does may be administered, please properly dispose of vaccine and report as waste.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Iowa
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) posted a NEW Vaccine Information Brief (10.27.21) with important COVID-19 booster dose information, pediatric COVID-19 vaccine planning information and other updates. Note: Given the frequent updates over the last week, please review the current brief in its entirety. For the latest information and updates impacting Iowa’s enrolled vaccine providers, please visit the IDPH COVID-19 Vaccine Providers webpage, and click on the most recent version of the “ Vaccine Information Brief”. If you have questions, contact the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1-800-831-6293 ext. 1 or COVID19Vaccine@idph.iowa.gov.
Also in Iowa, the Department of Human Services, Iowa Medicaid Enterprise, issued INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2282-MC-FFS announcing an increase in the pharmacy dispensing fee from $10.07 to $10.38 effective November 1. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise’s State Plan Amendment (SPA) for the increased dispensing fee.
Finally in Iowa, the Department of Human Services, Iowa Medicaid Enterprise, issued INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2279-MC-FFS-D seeking feedback from providers with a goal of improving the effectiveness of services provided to Medicaid members. Iowa Medicaid developed a survey to gather provider feedback with a deadline of November 15.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Louisiana
Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) lifted the public health emergency indoor mask mandate, but the Governor is keeping in place face covering requirements for certain K-12 schools, effective October 27.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nebraska
The Department of Health and Human Services announced the next weekly COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on November 3 at noon (Central).
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services added the September 2021 DUR Board draft meeting minutes for approval to the website. Other materials for the DUR Board November 9, 2021, meeting include the agenda and DUR Policy Statements (as of July 2021).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
North Carolina
The next Board of Pharmacy election is scheduled to begin November 1, and North Carolina pharmacists will vote to fill two positions. Voting coincides with the license renewal period and will run from November 1 through March 1, 2022. All pharmacists actively licensed and living in North Carolina at the start of the election will be eligible to vote for both districts. The winners of this election will begin their terms on May 1, 2022. Below is the link to the bios of the candidates in the two districts.
http://www.ncbop.org/election2021WesternDistrictCandidates.html
http://www.ncbop.org/election2021NorthernDistrictCandidates.html
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Ohio
The Medicaid Department will hold a public hearing on November 1 at 9:00 a.m. to consider Rule 5160-8-53. This new rule establishes provider payment for diabetes prevention and self-management training (DSMT) services when provided by physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, registered dietitians and pharmacists. The rule also provides for reimbursement for National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) services but only for physicians, physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses. The proposed effective date of this rule is January 1, 2022. NACDS intends to submit comments supporting the DMST provisions and asking that pharmacists also be included under the NDPP program. Instructions to access the virtual meeting are included in the rule notice.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oregon
The Board of Pharmacy adopted Temporary Rule OAR 855-007-0088 related to Compliance with Oregon Health Authority’s COVID Rules, effective October 18.
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy has proposed to permanently adopt numerous rules outlined below. Note: written comments may be submitted via email to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov before 4:30 p.m. on November 23.
- Division 007 – related to Compliance with OHA COVID Rules
- Division 007/041/045/065 – related to USP, Storage, Labeling, Repackaging
- Division 010 – related to Board Administration & Policies
- Division 019/139 – related to Remote Dispensing Site Pharmacy
- Division 041/080 – related to Pseudoephedrine/Ephedrine
- Division 019/021 – related to Pain Management CE
- Division 020 – related to Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority – COVID mAb, PEP & PrEP
- Division 043 – related to SPDO/DPDO/CHC
- Division 060/110 – related to PDMP Fee Increase
- Division 006/041 – related to Telework, Remote Processing & TCVP
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
NACDS reminds members that a new program is available that will reimburse pharmacies for naloxone copays when the pharmacist believes the patient will be hesitant to pick up the prescription due to cost. The Naloxone Copay Assistance Program is funded through federal grants and began October 1, 2021. The program runs on the existing PACE adjudication platform and will reimburse a pharmacy up to $75 per claim for any patient regardless of their insurance plan. In the interest of making the program as seamless as possible for pharmacies to increase access to naloxone, there is no ID patient card or patient criteria to meet. For more details, see the program bulletin and detailed adjudication specifications. It is our understanding that only a handful of claims were submitted in October; if you are experiencing any barriers to utilizing the program or have suggestions to increase uptake, please contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-525-8962 or jmccormack@nacds.org.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.