Erica Joyner – Page 38 – In The States

Oregon

The Board of Pharmacy filed a temporary rule effective September 1, 2021 through February 27, 2022, adding COVID-19 monoclonal antibody protocol to the Protocol Compendia based on the Public Health & Pharmacy Formulary Advisory Committee recommendation.

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy Rules Advisory Committee will meet via teleconference on September 23 to discuss technician rules. Information to participate by phone is printed in the agenda.

Also in Oregon, the Public Health and Pharmacy Formulary Advisory Committee will meet on September 24. Topics of interest include pseudoephedrine, PEP/PrEP and vaccines. See agenda for details.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-17T09:15:58-04:00September 17, 2021|Oregon|

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Department of Health has issued a new regulation which requires that all employees, interns and volunteers in RIDOH licensed healthcare facilities and all RIDOH licenses healthcare providers must receive their final dose of COVID19 vaccines by October 1, 2021. The regulation applies to all individuals who in RIDOH licensed Health care facilities AND all licensed healthcare providers, whether they work in a licensed facility or not. The Department of Health has developed an FAQ which will be updated as needed.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Erica Joyner2021-09-17T09:14:39-04:00September 17, 2021|Rhode Island|

South Carolina

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will reimburse for the administration of additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine consistent with the updated emergency use authorization issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More information can be found here.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-17T09:13:26-04:00September 17, 2021|South Carolina|

Washington

To help combat phony vaccination cards, the Department of Health (WSDH) created a guide Verifying Vaccination Cards to help verify COVID-19 vaccination record cards. If a patient presents a vaccine card that is fake, report it to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General and the Washington State Office of the Attorney General (ATG).

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-17T09:12:20-04:00September 17, 2021|Washington|

Alabama

Effective September 2, 2021, Governor Kay Ivey (R) issued a supplemental state of emergency proclamation for Hurricane Ida evacuees. The proclamation increases the allowable emergency supply of prescription medications that may be refilled from a 72-hour supply to a 30-day supply. Emergency prescription refills may be dispensed only if certain conditions apply. Please read the full proclamation for details. The proclamation is written in such a manner that an emergency rule from the Alabama Board of Pharmacy is not required.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-10T10:39:36-04:00September 10, 2021|Alabama|

California

In an emergency meeting, the Board of Pharmacy voted to re-instate the remote processing waiver until December 31 or 30 days after the emergency declaration is lifted, whichever is later. NACDS and the California Retailers Association submitted a joint letter requesting the board to take this action in accordance with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) Executive Order N-39-20 to reissue the remote processing waiver that expired on June 30, 2021.

Also in California, due to Cache Fire, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declared a state of emergency on September 7, 2021, in Lake County. The Board of Pharmacy issued an alert reminding pharmacies and pharmacists of provisions in Business and Professions Code section 4062 and section 4064 to help provide prescriptions for displaced residents.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-10T10:38:38-04:00September 10, 2021|California|

District of Columbia

The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) will hold its virtual Quarterly Pharmacy Provider Forum on September 21 from 10-12am and September 22 from 1-3pm. The content for both is identical. To RSVP and receive the meeting link contact Allison Williams.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-10T10:37:39-04:00September 10, 2021|District of Columbia|

Florida

Effective 10-1-21 WellCare of Florida, Inc. d/b/a Staywell Health Plan of Florida, Inc. (Staywell) Members will Transfer to Sunshine State Health Plan, Inc. (Sunshine). The WellCare of Florida, Inc. d/b/a Staywell Health Plan of Florida, Inc. (Staywell) legal entity will be merging with Sunshine State Health Plan, Inc. (Sunshine Health). The Agency for Health Care Administration will move Staywell’s Medicaid membership, including Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Specialty Plan membership, to the Sunshine Health plan effective October 1, 2021. In addition, Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Health Plan, which has been operated by WellCare through a contract with the Florida Department of Health, will be operated by Sunshine Health effective October 1, 2021. Sunshine Health will be issuing new Medicaid ID cards. All billing and claims reimbursement will be provided by Sunshine Health for dates of service beginning October 1, 2021. All Staywell claims for service dates prior to October 1, 2021, must continue to be submitted through Staywell and related questions may be directed to Staywell at 1-866-334-7927 (TTY 711) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Providers that are out of network as of October 1, 2021, will be eligible for a 120-day continuity of care period where claims will be payable to allow time for members to transition to a new provider, if necessary. The continuity of care period ends on January 31, 2022.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-10T10:36:32-04:00September 10, 2021|Florida|

Illinois

Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) has signed SB2172, which amended the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act and specifically provides that beginning January 1, 2024 (rather than January 1, 2022), it must be the joint responsibility of a pharmacy and its pharmacist in charge to ensure that all new pharmacy technicians are educated and trained using a standard nationally accredited education and training program.

Also in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Additional Instructions for COVID-19 Vaccine 3rd Booster Dose. Additionally, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Chantix Shortage –Temporary Distribution of Apo-Varenicline 0.5 mg and 1 mg Tablets.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-10T10:35:26-04:00September 10, 2021|Illinois|

About Erica Joyner