On Sept. 30 the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) released a Request for Applications (RFA) inviting managed care organizations to submit proposals for Ohio’s managed care program. The RFA is a major part of ODM’s plans to streamline and modernize the Medicaid Managed Care program. For more information click here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
On October 7, The DEA in coordination with HHS, held a virtual webinar titled, “Supporting Healthcare Professionals during the Pandemic.” Topics discussed included drugs of abuse and trends, COVID 19 guidance, telemedicine, updates on fraud and robberies, and an overview of DEA requirements regarding the handling of controlled substances according to Federal regulations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
SB 1210, sponsored by Sen. Judy Ward (R), which originally allowed pharmacists to order and administer COVID point-of-care tests by exempting them from the PA Lab Act’s lab experience requirement, was amended and reported out of the Senate Health Committee. The amendment, drafted by NACDS, would expand the bill to include all CLIA-waived tests. The amendment passed 7-4 on a party line vote, but the bill as amended was adopted unanimously. Further action is expected the week of October 19, 2020, when the Senate returns to session. The Department of Health opposed the bill, which drove the party-line vote on the amendment. NACDS has been working jointly with PACDS on the ground in Harrisburg to pass this bill before the Legislature adjourns Sine Die sometime in November.
Also in PA. Legislation that would require pharmacy technicians to register in Pennsylvania is advancing, after previous versions of the bill failed to make it past the finish line in previous years. HB 770 passed the House in May of 2019, but just last week passed the Senate Consumer Protection and Licensure Committee and received first consideration in the Senate. The bill is viewed by many as a necessary precursor for any future consideration of advanced duties for technicians. The bill is supported by PACDS.
Also in PA. The Department of Human Services issued a Medicaid Bulletin providing notice that the Department will pay pharmacies for the collection of specimens by pharmacists for COVID-19 testing effective October 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina House Bill 4663, was signed by Governor McMaster (R) on September 28. The bill authorizes pharmacists to administer influenza vaccinations to persons under 12. Such vaccines must be administered according to protocol issued by the Board of Medical Examiners upon recommendation of the Joint Pharmacist Administered Vaccines Committee. The bill requires the Committee to submit its initial recommendation to the Board within three months of this measure’s effective date, which will be October 18, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy issued a final rule regarding the licensing and oversight of pharmacists, pharmacy interns, registered pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies, including central fill pharmacies. The rule is effective October 12, 2020.
Also in South Dakota. The Board of Pharmacy has published revised policy statements on pharmacist testing for COVID-19 and for transferring prescriptions. Please use the above links for more information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
NACDS and the Texas Federation of Drug Stores submitted three joint letters to the House Select Committee on Statewide Health Care Costs providing extensive comments on all three issues: (1) primary drivers of increased health care costs in Texas, (2) opportunities to better coordinate how public dollars are spent on health care, and (3) identify emerging and proven delivery system improvements and sustainable financing models that could reduce the cost of health care.
Also in Texas. The Board of Pharmacy, partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Diversion Control Division, is hosting a virtual opioid symposium on both October 11 and 12, 2020. For information about speakers, program details, and registration information, visit here. The symposium offers three (3) hours (0.3 CEUs) of CE approved by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for license renewal. This program may be counted toward the requirement of prescribing and monitoring controlled substances as outlined by Board rule 295.8 for pharmacists and toward Texas-specific pharmacy laws or rules for pharmacy technicians per Board rule 297.8
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health (VDH) has asked NACDS to share their COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Intent form with members. Members who wish or plan to receive the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine through the VDH must fill out and submit this form. If you are planning to receive the vaccine directly from the CDC, you do not need to file the form with VDH. The letter is also available on the VDH Resources for Health Care Professionals web page. As of now, one form is required for each location, however, VDH is looking into whether they can accept a spreadsheet for multiple locations. According to VDH, the physician and physician license number fields should be filled out with the pharmacy location name and pharmacy license number.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
On October 7, The DEA in coordination with HHS, held a virtual webinar titled, “Supporting Healthcare Professionals during the Pandemic.” Topics discussed included drugs of abuse and trends, COVID 19 guidance, telemedicine, updates on fraud and robberies, and an overview of DEA requirements regarding the handling of controlled substances according to Federal regulations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
ForwardHealth issued an update that includes information about brand medically necessary drugs and brand before generic drugs effective October 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.