The Notice of Agency Rulemaking Proposal regarding Joint Rule Between the Maine Board of Pharmacy and Maine Board of Nursing on Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDT) has been posted to the Maine Board of Pharmacy website. The comment deadline is January 3, 2022, at 5:00 pm. EST. Written comments may be sent to Geraldine.L.Betts@maine.gov using the subject line: CDT Proposed Rule Comment.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Join MPhA for a virtual Last Chance Seminar! This seminar will offer two (2) live CE hours. These hours satisfy the opioid/drugs of abuse required by the Board of Pharmacy. December 12, 2021, 4:00pm – 6:00pm. Click here to register.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy met this week. The Executive Secretary Dina Jazrawi reported that the Board is continuing to accept applications to fill the two openings for registered pharmacy technicians to serve on the Board. Individuals must be registered and working in an Article 28 facility. In addition, there is still a pharmacist opening for a Downstate Office of Professional Discipline.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Dr. John M. Weigand, a central Ohio physician who has served as a leader in the state’s COVID-19 pandemic response, has been appointed Medical Director at the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Aging. Since early in the pandemic, Dr. Weigand has served as Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Aging’s Regional Rapid Response Assistance Program (R3AP) and as Medical Director of the Post-Acute Regional Rapid Testing (PARRT) partnership.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy adopted a temporary rule, effective November 19 through May 17, 2022, requiring pharmacies to post accurate hours. Accurate pharmacy operating hours must be available to patients and prescribers so they can seek alternate sources of prescription medication when a pharmacy is closed.
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy meeting will meet on December 8-9. The agenda has been posted and updated materials will be available on the board’s website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) has issued a Bulletin with updates to the Statewide Preferred Drug List clarifying when an MCO can require prior authorization for certain drugs. The PACE Prescription Drug Program has also issued a Bulletin clarifying the claims submission code for “other coverage” claims. The Bulletin applies to all prescription programs administered by PACE.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control released a statement earlier today regarding the Omicron variant of COVID-19. DHEC is closely monitoring the variant and proactively preparing for any potential threats posed. See their full statement here, along with various resources and tracking data.
Also in South Carolina, the Centers for Medicare, and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the enrollment application fee amount for calendar year 2022 will be $631. This fee is required with any applicable Healthy Connections Medicaid provider enrollment application. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will collect the application fee before executing a provider agreement. The fee applies to initial enrollment, reactivation, revalidation, or addition of a new practice location. SCDHHS has contracted with the SC.gov Enterprise Payment System to facilitate collection of the application fee. Payments may be made by debit, credit, or e-check. Paper checks will not be accepted. More information on payment options can be found by visiting www.scdhhs.gov/provider and selecting “Online Application Fee Payment.” The provider enrollment application fee is only applicable to providers CMS has identified as institutional providers. Providers who are enrolled in or have already paid the application fee to Medicare and/or another state’s Medicaid agency or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for the same enrollment location jurisdiction.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Applications for TPA executive officers, society leaders, and committee members are being accepted through Dec. 15. Volunteer or nominate a colleague to serve.
Also in Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to audit providers of COVID-19 vaccines. The Tennessee Pharmacists Association requested a checklist for those who have been selected for an audit, and one was prepared by TDH. Please review the checklist and the Routine and Emergency Vaccine Management Plan in their entirety.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy proposed and adopted several rules at their November meeting.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) revised the Medicaid preferred drug list effective December 3, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
