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Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued an Executive Order this week banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates for employees or customers. Any entity that fails to comply could receive up to a $1,000 fine. This state order conflicts with President Biden’s (D) order mandating that companies with federal contracts must have all employees vaccinated.

Also in Texas, to assist with planning for the distribution of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine pending the authorization by the Food and Drug Administration and the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 years of age, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is asking chain pharmacies to complete one survey with an estimate for all stores by 5 PM on Wednesday, October 20th.  DSHS Survey

Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy will hold its quarterly meeting in-person in Austin on Tuesday, November 2.  TX BOP Meeting On the agenda for possible final adoption are onerous proposed rules impacting pharmacies that compound non-sterile preparations. Written comments must be submitted to the board on or before October 25th.

Also in Texas, NACDS submitted several recommendations to the Board of Pharmacy to assist with the development of their 5-year strategic plan, including updating laws and regulations to permanently codify the scope of practice expansion under the PREP Act for all pharmacy personnel, and to further modernize the practice of pharmacy to allow for practices now permitted in other states.

Finally in Texas, on October 1st, NACDS and other Texas pharmacy organizations met with Health and Human Services Commission’s representatives from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Vendor Drug Program (VDP-Medicaid) to discuss considerations for a pilot program to address barriers that have inhibited broad pharmacy participation in the Texas Vaccines for Children Program.

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

2021-10-15T11:31:43-04:00October 15, 2021|Texas|

Virginia

The Board of Pharmacy held a workgroup on September 23 to consider making recommendations to the Legislature on passing legislation that would expand pharmacy technician duties in the 2022 session. The workgroup was mandated by HB 1304 of 2020. This law will require pharmacy technicians to be certified by July 2022. According the draft minutes the workgroup took the following actions:

  • Motion to recommend the elimination tech ratio failed; subsequent motion to not recommend the elimination of tech ratio passed 6-2
  • Motion to recommend permanently authorize nationally certified techs to administer vaccines in accordance with PREP Act passed 7-1
  • BOP Executive Director clarifies that pharmacists and technicians under supervision are currently authorized to perform CLIA-waived testing
  • Motion that the BOP further study, rather than recommend, Technician Product Verification passed unanimously
  • Motion passed unanimously to recommend that pharmacy technicians be authorized to clarify number of refills and drug quantity for new prescriptions or refills (Sch. VI)
  • Motion to allow techs to accept new prescriptions failed 6-2
  • Motion passed unanimously to recommend allowing a nationally certified technician to electronically transfer a Schedule VI refill that is not an “on hold” prescription when authorized by Pharmacist in Charge.
  • Board voted unanimously that the BOP clarify regulations, if needed, to allow pharmacy technicians to take medication histories independently to include drug name, dosage and frequency.  It was the opinion of Board staff that this is currently authorized.

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

2021-10-15T11:30:26-04:00October 15, 2021|Virginia|

California

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed SB 409, the Board of Pharmacy’s legislation that would permit pharmacists to perform a list of CLIA-waived tests, including SARS-CoV-2or other respiratory illness, condition or disease and strep throat, plus any additional tests approved by the Board of Pharmacy, in conjunction with the Medical Board of California and Laboratory Field Services.

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has created a flyer to assist pharmacy providers to prepare for the Medi-Cal Rx implementation date of January 1, 2022. Note the inclusion of readiness survey; the results will be used to tailor training sessions to prepare providers for the transition to Medi-Cal Rx.

Also in California, NACDS and the California Retailers Association worked with Magellan and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to schedule a webinar for chain pharmacies to hear first-hand from these entities about the important elements related to implementation of Medi-Cal Rx (start date of January 1, 2022). The webinar will be held on Wednesday, October 13 at 5:00 p.m. EDT, 4:00 p.m. CDT, 3:00 p.m. MDT and 2:00 p.m. PDT; T; for information to access the webinar, click here.  During the webinar, Magellan and DHCS will share information about portal registration, interacting with the new system and other key items. Please be prepared to ask questions. If your company would like to schedule its own training after October 13, please contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801 or sguckian@nacds.org, and we will connect you directly to Magellan and DHCS to schedule the training.

Finally in California, Ashkan Soltani will lead the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) as its Executive Director. He helped to shape the California Consumer Privacy Act and the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020.

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

2021-10-08T10:16:27-04:00October 8, 2021|California|

Georgia

Fall Virtual Medicaid Fair, Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 8am EST. The opening session will highlight news from the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) including an overview of current initiatives and program and policy updates. The day will feature WebEx based break-out sessions focused on relevant topics for our provider community along with time for questions and answers. To register online and for details, visit here. Attendees must register to reserve a seat for each individual session selected.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2021-10-08T09:56:58-04:00October 8, 2021|Georgia|

Illinois

Governor JB Pritzker (D) has signed two pieces of opioid legislation. HB1842, sponsored by Senator Mattie Hunter (D),  which amends statute to modify prescription drug monitoring program requirements and HB3596, sponsored by Representative Dagmara Avelar (D), which amends statute to require Schedule II-V substances prescriptions to be sent electronically.

Also in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Continuing Prior Approval Requests for Early Synagis Dosing.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2021-10-08T09:55:08-04:00October 8, 2021|Illinois|

Iowa

The Department of Human Services issued INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2271-MC-FFS-CVD with guidance for pharmacies billing for specimen collection and testing for COVID-19. The changes are effective October 1 and will be in effect for the duration of the public health emergency.

Also in Iowa, for the latest information and updates impacting Iowa’s enrolled vaccine providers, please visit the Iowa Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) COVID-19 Vaccine Providers web page, and click on the most recent version of the “ Vaccine Information Brief”. IDPH posted a NEW Vaccine Information Brief (10.1.21). 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, a COVID 3rd dose vs. booster vaccine recommendations infographic has been developed for providers’ use for educational purposes. If you have questions, contact the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1-800-831-6293 ext. 1 or COVID19Vaccine@idph.iowa.gov.

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

2021-10-08T09:54:14-04:00October 8, 2021|Iowa|

Mississippi

As a reminder, the Division of Medicaid (DOM) will require providers to include accurate CPT® Category II codes on physician, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner claims, effective October 1, 2021. To learn more read see the linked memo.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2021-10-08T09:51:14-04:00October 8, 2021|Mississippi|

Nebraska

The 471-000-540 Nebraska Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule for Injectables was updated effective October 1.

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

2021-10-08T09:49:59-04:00October 8, 2021|Nebraska|

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