Iowa
The Iowa Board of Pharmacy has issued COVID-19 guidance to pharmacies about its enforcement of administrative rules and published a document with Frequently Asked Questions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Kentucky
The General Assembly passed SB 50 sponsored by Sen. Max Wise (R). The bill will provide significant financial relief to pharmacies by prohibiting PBMs in Medicaid managed care from using fees or effective rates to lower reimbursement. Additionally, the bill will require the Department of Medicaid Services, with the input of pharmacy, to set reimbursement rates in Managed Care. The intent of this provision is to move to cost-based reimbursement plus a professional dispensing fee. NACDS supported the on-the-ground efforts of the Kentucky Retail Federation and member companies to support provisions of this bill that align with our campaign. The bill now goes to the Governor.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
After seeing several Emergency Orders allowing early refills, 90-day supply for maintenance medications, extending prior authorizations and waving copays, NACDS reached out to the Department of Health’s Medicaid and Pharmacy staff requesting that they consider additional COVID19 waivers. NACDS shared model language to access essential services at pharmacies, including encouraging the Department of Health to adopt a statewide protocol to allow pharmacists to test and treat for COVID-19 once the anti-viral comes to market. We also discussed 1135 waivers and their pending SPA which will allow pharmacists to be reimbursed for adult immunizations.
Also in Louisiana... The Board of Pharmacy adopted an Emergency Rule placing limitations on the dispensing of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19. Link to all emergency rules adopted – http://www.doa.la.gov/Pages/osr/emr/emr.aspx and the guidance document can be found here –
Also in Louisiana... Prior to the postponement on the March 18th Board of Pharmacy’s Regulation Revision Committee meeting, NACDS submitted a comment letter on the telepharmacy rules, urging the Board to remove the arbitrary restrictions on location of dispensing sites, prescription volume, and staffing requirements.
Also in Louisiana... The April 7, 2020 Pharmacy Legislative Day at the Capitol has been cancelled.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Mississippi
The Reeves Administration has announced temporary Medicaid changes in response to coronavirus outbreak. Additional information on policies, coding, and reimbursement related to the COVID-19 outbreak will continue to be added to a resource page on the agency’s website at https://medicaid.ms.gov/coronavirus-updates/.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Missouri
After receiving authority from Missouri, Gov. Mike Parson’s (R) Executive Order to address regulatory burdens impeding response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Pharmacy has waived a number of regulations, which can be found on a dedicated web page, along with materials from this week’s webinar. The Missouri Pharmacy Association is hosting another webinar (open to non-members) on Friday, March 27, 2020 at 12 pm.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New Mexico
NACDS participated on a conference call earlier this week hosted by the Department of Health answering questions posed by chain and independent pharmacists about COVID19 response.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nevada
Governor Steve Sisolak (D) signed an emergency regulation promulgated by the Board of Pharmacy aimed at preventing hoarding of the drugs. The regulation prohibits the prescribing and dispensing chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for a COVID-19 diagnosis, requires an ICD-10 code on prescriptions for the drugs and limits the prescription amount to a 30-day supply for the drugs.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
North Dakota
Gov. Doug Burgum (R) directed state agencies to provide recommendations for policies hindering response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In another Executive Order, he directed pharmacy benefit management companies to eliminate proof of delivery requirements; authorized license pharmacists to administer COVID-19 testing; and authorized emergency refills of non-controlled substances for up to 30 days. The Department of Human Services has created a Medicaid pharmacy document of Frequently Asked Questions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Ohio
The Board of Pharmacy has issued an emergency rule, effective March 22nd, on the dispensing of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. For an FAQ on this issue and other COVID-19 related guidance issued by the board, visit their website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.