Michael Angeloni – Page 26

Texas

The Board of Pharmacy has posted a final rule that took effect on September 9, which to adopted provisions to add a $500 administrative penalty for failure to access the Prescription Monitoring Program for a patient’s information before dispensing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or carisoprodol.

Also in Texas. The Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program’s (VDP) Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board will be soliciting public comments at their October meeting on the new drug classes anticonvulsants, antihemophilic, antineoplastic (i.e., anti-cancer), antiretroviral (i.e., anti-HIV), and medications used to treat multiple sclerosis. These drug classes are not currently reviewed on the Texas Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL). All medications within these newly reviewed drug classes will be preferred and continue to be available without PDL prior authorization. More information can be found here.

Also in Texas. Effective September 21, 2020, the Health and Human Services Commission will require the “Quantity Prescribed” field (460–ET) on all pharmacy claims for Schedule II drugs. Pharmacies should refer to the payer sheet addendum for more information on how this change impacts claim processing.

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

Michael Angeloni2023-10-10T09:03:45-04:00September 18, 2020|Texas|

Alaska

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, in addition to recognizing pharmacists as providers and reimbursing them for their services, is proposing a rule to reimburse pharmacists who provide professional services within a defined scope of practice authority or under a statewide standing order during a public health emergency. The rule would also increase dispensing fee rates and increase the drug acquisition cost if there is a shortage.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-09-11T13:35:49-04:00September 11, 2020|Alaska|

Arkansas

In response to Secretary Azar’s PREP Act declaration, the Board of Pharmacy has posted a statement listing under which conditions pharmacists and pharmacist-interns acting under the supervision of a pharmacist are allowed to order and administer immunizations to children 3-18 years of age.

Also in Arkansas. The Department of Human Services adopted a final rule amending the medical assistance regulations and the Medicaid state plan to add coverage for medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders, effective August 1. The rule also revises the agency provider for physicians, outpatient behavioral health services, pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, hospitals, nurse practitioners, and rural health clinics, effective September 1, 2020.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-09-11T13:34:46-04:00September 11, 2020|Arkansas|

Colorado

The Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Insurance, adopted an emergency rule effective August 14 through December 12, 2020, that requires carriers to reimburse providers for medically necessary covered health care services provided through telehealth during the coronavirus public health emergency. The rule replaces the April 3 emergency rule (20-E-05) and requires telehealth services to be reimbursed at rates no lower than in-person services, in compliance with state behavioral health parity laws, and without specific requirements or limitations on the technologies used. Also, the rule requires carriers to allow covered persons who do not have established relationships with specific providers to receive medically necessary health care services via telehealth from those providers. Finally, the rule prohibits carriers from imposing additional certification, location, or training requirements; requires carriers to notify providers of any instructions necessary to facilitate billing for telehealth, and requires carriers to cover telehealth services provided by nonparticipating providers if their own providers can’t provide such services).

Also in Colorado. NACDS and the Colorado Retail Council participated in a meeting with the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to discuss their progress in developing the Colorado Drug Importation Program. The General Assembly passed legislation in 2019 (SB19-005) that allows the state to establish a program allowing the wholesale importation of prescription drugs from Canada for resale to Colorado residents as an attempt to reign in the high cost of drugs. More information can be found here and here.

Also in Colorado. The Board of Pharmacy adopted several new rules that went into effect on August 30, 2020. These rules provide clarity on the suspended and modified rules related to the COVID pandemic.

Lastly, in Colorado. On September 17, 2020, at 8:45 AM MT, the Board of Pharmacy will host a webinar and will be accepting comments on a proposed rule that would add provisions on the distribution of drugs by other outlet pharmacies, the provision of HIV infection prevention medications to patients, and requirements for prescription orders for controlled substances. The rule would also update references to federal standards. To participate, Register Here. Draft rules can be found here.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-09-11T13:33:14-04:00September 11, 2020|Colorado|

Illinois

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted an Updated Medicaid Preferred Drug List effective October 1, 2020.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Michael Angeloni2020-09-11T13:29:36-04:00September 11, 2020|Illinois|

Iowa

The Department of Human Services issued an Informational Letter outlining Medicaid flexibilities in response to the Derecho disaster. Flexibilities outlined in the letter pertain to prior authorization, early refills, and telehealth.

Also in Iowa. The Department of Human Services announced another delay of the effective date of a final rule that amends regulations under 441 IAC 78 and 79 regarding covered prescription and nonprescription outpatient drug policies. The rule revises the list of covered nonprescription drugs, the quantities of prescribed drugs, refill requirements, drug reimbursement methodology, and credits for returned unit dose drugs not consumed. In addition, the rule addresses prior authorization limitations on medication-assisted treatment. The rule was scheduled to be effective February 12 and was delayed to August 11 except for provisions relating to automatic prescription refills, which will take effect in 2021.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Michael Angeloni2020-09-11T13:37:10-04:00September 11, 2020|Iowa|

Louisiana

The Department of Health Bureau of Health Service Financing announced that effective September 15, 2020, both the Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) will cover select Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) adult vaccines for beneficiaries over the age of 18. According to the Department, adult vaccines are reimbursed when administered by a pharmacist with the “Authority to Administer” authorized by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. The announcement states that Louisiana Medicaid enrolled pharmacies will be reimbursed for the ingredient cost and administration fee when billing adult vaccines administered by a pharmacist. The FFS administration fee for adult vaccines is $15.22 for the first injection, then $9.13 for each additional injection with the same date of service. The FFS administration fee for a nasal vaccine is $10.80. More information can be found here.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-09-11T13:25:16-04:00September 11, 2020|Louisiana|

Michigan

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ Bureau of Professional Licensing has filed a Request for Rulemaking pertaining to Central Fill Pharmacies. NACDS will share additional information as it becomes available.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Michael Angeloni2020-09-11T13:23:33-04:00September 11, 2020|Michigan|

Missouri

The Board of pharmacy has released two final rules to adopt amendments to sections 20 CSR 2220-6 and 20 CSR 2150-5. Both final rules establish requirements for pharmacist training, prescribing and patient care activities, and patient medical records. Both final rules are effective on October 30, 2020.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Michael Angeloni2020-09-11T13:38:42-04:00September 11, 2020|Missouri|

About Michael Angeloni