Florida Medicaid has issued an ALERT reminding providers that they cannot charge a recipient for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used during the delivery of a Medicaid covered service. Reimbursement from Florida Medicaid is payment in full for all services. Additional information, including balanced billing prohibitions, is in the Agency’s General Medicaid Policy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) posted a new Provider Notice with a comprehensive billing guide for Medicaid Managed Care Services. In addition, as follow up to its March 30th provider notice, DHFS posted a list of medications added for temporary coverage in a 90-day supply.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Iowa Board of Pharmacy shared an update about pharmacist emergency licenses. Among the information is this reminder: Upon the expiration or termination of the Governor's Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, the Board will provide notice to all pharmacists with emergency licenses regarding the date by which the required exams must be completed to retain active Iowa pharmacist licensure.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
NACDS and the Louisiana Retailers Association (LRA) submitted a joint letter to Louisiana Governor John Bel Edward's Rural Development Task Force Chairman Jim Clinton sharing our ideas how community pharmacies are vital to helping reopen the economy. NACDS and LRA also sent a similar letter earlier this month to the Governor's Health Equity Commission and have been participating in their meetings focused on addressing health disparities during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Also in Louisiana... Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a proclamation extending the public health emergency until June 5, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) extended the duration of her previous Executive Order granting broad authority for pharmacies to engage the COVID-19 pandemic, with policies including emergency refills, therapeutic substitution, and suspension of the technician ratio.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Board of Pharmacy issued a guidance document to assist with the challenging implementation of the insulin safety net program created by HF 3100.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
On May 12th, Gov. Kevin Stitt enacted an Executive Order that removed all restrictions regarding prescriptions for Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine. Thus a Board of Pharmacy COVID-19 waiver is no longer necessary for dispensing Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine prescriptions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The SC Board of Pharmacy has issued the following guidance in regards to COVID testing by pharmacists in the state.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
NACDS, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores, and the Texas Pharmacy are all continuing to work with the Board of Pharmacy to urge Gov. Greg Abbott to allow all licensed pharmacies with CLIA-waivers to order and administer all FDA-authorized CLIA-waived tests that can detect COVID or the presence of antigens or antibodies produced in response to the virus.
Also in Texas... On May 15th, the Board of Pharmacy issued the following guidance to pharmacists when dispensing prescriptions for Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Mefloquine, or Azithromycin in compliance with Emergency Board Rule 291.30.
The rule does not prevent a physician from prescribing one of these drugs for an off-label use. Please note, the intended use for the drug is not required if the practitioner determines the furnishing of this information is not in the best interest of the patient in accordance with Board rule 291.34 (b)(7).
o The intent of Rule 291.30 is to prevent the stockpiling of the drugs and to ensure that reasonable quantities are available for ALL patients that require therapy with the drugs, including patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis.
o It was not the Board's intent to hinder the use of the drugs on patients that are in need of drug therapy, but rather to prevent unreasonable quantities that would otherwise be representative of hoarding or stockpiling tactics.
o In addition, the Rule does not apply to a prescription issued for a patient already established on the medication (e.g., prescription to treat rheumatoid arthritis or lupus for already established patients).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
