This week the proposed rule on the expansion of the technician ratio in a community setting was published in the State Register. As a reminder earlier this year Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) issued an executive order expanding the pharmacy technician ratio to 4 to 1. This rule will make that executive order permanent.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Department of Health (ODH) has issued Updated Provider Guidance on Phase 1B of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution. The update includes new information on specifics regarding those who have an intellectual or developmental disability AND severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical conditions; information on employees of K-12 schools; details as to who will be offering vaccinations for eligible populations; directions for vaccination providers on how to update information in the online vaccine provider directory; important instructions on the handling and storing Pfizer vaccine and notice that ODH will send notifications to enrolled providers about vaccine allocations on Tuesday or Wednesday of each week. Please direct questions or issues to COVIDVACCINE@odh.ohio.gov. You also may visit the ODH COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Information Training page for additional information and resources.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy (OSBP) is transitioning to a system where all new licenses and license renewals must be paid for through our online store on the OSBP website. Beginning July 1, 2021, the OSBP will only accept credit card payments (Mastercard or Visa) or Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT). Payments can be made at the following website. https://pay.apps.ok.gov/OSBP/payments/
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) announced that he is nominating Alison Beam to be the next Secretary of Health, with the departure of Dr. Rachel Levine to work in the Biden Administration. Prior to her nomination as the Secretary of Health, Ms. Beam served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Tom Wolf. She also previously served as the Chief of Staff to the Insurance Commissioner. In that capacity, Alison guided interactions with regulators, legislators, and national trade associations and developed and implemented internal response strategies.
Also in Pennsylvania. With Sec. Levine’s departure, Pennsylvania Acting Physician General Wendy Braund has issued an updated standing order for Naloxone for the general public, effective January 23. Please visit the above link for more information.
Lastly in Pennsylvania. Following the receipt of a letter NACDS cosigned with the PA Pharmacy Coalition, the Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a revised Medical Assistance Bulletin announcing they will pay the Medicare rate for the COVID-19 administration fees retroactive to December 1. Claims do not need to be resubmitted. The Bulletin also clarified that the pharmacy NPI should be in the “billing and rendering provider” field; however, they still require an MA-enrolled prescriber’s NPI in the “referring prescriber” field. Additionally, they’ve added CPT codes for the future AstraZeneca vaccine.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
In January, the South Carolina Enterprise Information System (SCEIS) will begin issuing 1099 forms to South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid providers. These forms will be for the calendar year 2020. In July 2019, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) transitioned the payment of Medicaid claims to the State of South Carolina’s consolidated accounting system, SCEIS. SCEIS requires payments to be issued to a single bank account for each taxpayer identification number (TIN), either a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or a Social Security Number (SSN). To make the transition to SCEIS, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) required Healthy Connections Medicaid group providers with multiple National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers and/or multiple Medicaid Provider Numbers associated with a single TIN to designate one NPI and Medicaid Provider Number combination (a specific provider) to receive payment through SCEIS. The payments for all providers associated with that TIN were then made to the designated bank account for the NPI and Medicaid Provider Number combination. For more information on this transition, visit https://vip.scdhhs.gov/sceis/. In January 2021, SCEIS will begin issuing 1099 forms for the calendar year 2020 to Healthy Connections Medicaid providers. The 1099 forms will be issued to the NPI and Medicaid Provider Number combination designated by the provider and will include payments for all NPIs, and Medicaid Provider Numbers associated with the TIN. Providers will be responsible for any additional required breakdown of 1099 information. If you have any questions regarding 1099s for the calendar year 2020, please contact the Provider Service Center at (888) 289-0709.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) will deliver his State-of-the-State address on February 1, 2021, to provide an update on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and lay out his priorities for the 87th Legislature.
Also in Texas. the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Advisory Committee held its quarterly meeting on January 19. The vendor Appriss shared information on the product enhancements to NarxCare program. The current statute requires all Texas licensed pharmacies are required to report all dispensed controlled substances C-II-V records to the PMP no later than the next business day after the prescription is filled.
Also in Texas. The Board of Pharmacy is scheduled to host a videoconference meeting on February 2, 2021. More information can be found at the following website: https://ldh.la.gov/covidvaccine/
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
HB 2079, sponsored by Del. Sam Rasoul (D) has been reported unanimously from the House Health Welfare and Institutions Committee. The bill would allow pharmacists to prescribe HIV Pep and PreP treatment; CDC immunizations to adults; tuberculin purified protein derivative for tuberculosis testing; and drugs, devices, controlled paraphernalia, and other supplies and equipment available over-the-counter, covered by the patient’s health carrier when the patient’s out-of-pocket cost is lower than the out-of-pocket cost to purchase the over-the-counter equivalent. A joint workgroup of the Boards of Pharmacy and Medicine would be charged with developing protocols for each. NACDS filed a letter of support for the bill which is an extension of legislation we were instrumental in passing in 2020 that allowed pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives and offer other therapies. The bill now goes to the full House for a vote.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Alabama Board of Pharmacy published a final rule to amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to revise parenteral sterile therapy requirements to reflect the renewal cycle. The rule also requires pharmacists performing high-risk sterile compounding to complete an additional 4-hour, board approved high-risk program. In addition, the rule requires sterile compounding pharmacists to complete 2 continuing education hours each renewal cycle. The rule is will be effective on February 14, 2021.
Also in Alabama. The Board of Pharmacy published a final rule to amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to revise preceptor training requirements to reflect the renewal cycle. The rule is also effective on February 14, 2021.
Also in Alabama. Effective immediately all references to “Reenrollment” will be replaced with the term “Revalidation” to match current Medicare terminology. These changes will be made to all future letters sent to providers referencing the re-enrollment program/processes as well as information contained on the Provider Enrollment website. Providers are also now able to begin uploading their completed revalidations through the secure provider web portal. Additional instructions for uploading revalidation applications and documentation can be found on the Provider Enrollment and Form page under the Revalidation section on the Medicaid website here.
Lastly in Alabama. The Board of Medical Examiners posted a proposed rule to adopt regulations under AAC 540-X-26 to establish requirements for collaborative practice between physicians and pharmacists. The rule would add requirements for collaborative drug therapy management agreements, standards for physicians, reporting, patient care protocols, and the formulary. Comments are due February 4, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Legislature convened on Monday, January 11, and is expected to last 60 days
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.