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So far Michael Silber has created 2118 blog entries.

California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the reinstatement resources and information below.  

Also in California, Medi-Cal posted the following:   

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

2023-01-13T12:11:35-05:00January 13, 2023|California|

Colorado

The legislature convened on January 9, 2023. 

Also in Colorado, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is hosting an informational session on preparing for the end of the Public Health Emergency. This online seminar is geared toward community partners such as advocacy organizations, providers and community organizations that may provide other assistance to Health First Colorado (Medicaid) or CHP+ members. Register in advance for the January 25 online seminar scheduled from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm MST. 

Finally in Colorado, Prescription Drug Affordability Board established under SB21-175 is currently evaluating draft rules for the Upper Payment Limits. 

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

2023-01-13T12:10:52-05:00January 13, 2023|Colorado|

Florida

This week, Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference at the Villages to outline proposed legislation that would target pharmacy benefit managers to try to lower prescription-drug costs in the state. NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson released the following statement after the press conference. 

Finally in Florida, all Medicaid Fee-For-Service claims submitted January 1, 2023, or after from a non-exempt provider type that does not have a ROPA [Referring, Ordering, Prescribing, and Attending] provider listed on the claim will be denied. The exempted provider types that will not require a ROPA on the claim are listed here, all other provider type claims must have a ROPA provider identified by NPI (National Provider Identifier) on the claim for reimbursement by Medicaid. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2023-01-13T12:10:14-05:00January 13, 2023|Florida|

Illinois

The Illinois Department of Labor (“IDOL”) recently issued the new 2023 “Your Rights Under Illinois Employment Laws” poster that ALL ILLINOIS EMPLOYERS are required to post in a conspicuous place in the workplace, where notices are customarily posted. See the links here. The poster includes information related to the Wage Payment and Collection Act, Child Labor Law, Minimum Wage Law, Equal Pay Act, Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act and the One Day Rest in Seven Act (“ODRISA”).  

Importantly, the ODRISA amendments that went into effect on January 1, 2023, require not only posting in the workplace, but also, for employees who do not regularly report to a physical workplace, and instead work remotely or travel for work, the poster must be provided to them via email or uploaded onto the employer’s website. The ODRISA amendments also now include civil penalties for failure to comply with the ODRISA, including the posting requirements. Employers who fail to comply with the posting requirements will be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $250, payable to the IDOL.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2023-01-13T12:09:37-05:00January 13, 2023|Illinois|

Indiana

The legislature convened on January 10, 2023. Several bills of interest to pharmacies have been filed, including several different bills that will allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives – SB (Senate Bill) 153 & SB 206, and HB 1224. Test and Treat, HB 1182, requires the state health commissioner to issue a standing order for pharmacists to treat or screen, test, administer or dispense for respiratory illness including influenza, severe SARS-CoV-2, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus); group A strep; lice; minor skin conditions; and emerging or existing public health threats identified by the state health commissioner. Also filed was SB 214, legislation that would establish a standing order for pharmacists to prescribe naloxone. 

Also in Indiana, all are welcome to participate at the Indiana Pharmacists Association’s (IPA) annual Legislative Day at the Indiana State House starting at 9:30 am on January 24. This event will allow all pharmacists, pharmacy students and pharmacy technicians from all practice settings to connect with legislators and colleagues across the state. Register here before January 19.

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

2023-01-13T12:09:04-05:00January 13, 2023|Indiana|

Iowa

The Iowa Insurance Division adopted and filed emergency rules (ARC 6739C), effective January 1, 2023, to implement changes made in 2022 Iowa Acts, House File 2384, regarding pharmacy benefits managers. 

Also in Iowa, NACDS submitted a letter to the Iowa Insurance Division expressing appreciation for proposed rule changes (ARC 6740C) to Chapter 59, “Pharmacy Benefit Managers” (“PBMs”) in accordance with 2022 Iowa Acts, House File 2384, and urging the necessary enforcement of included provisions to further the state’s efforts on PBM reform and transparency. In particular, NACDS stated its support for language preventing PBMs from retroactively adjusting reimbursement of a clean claim paid to a pharmacy. Lastly, NACDS urged legislators and regulators to take additional action to help ensure pharmacies are fairly and adequately reimbursed with the ability to appeal below-cost reimbursement through the establishment of a maximum allowable cost appeals process.  

Finally in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy published its December 2022 newsletter including the following articles/updates: discontinuation of printed license and registration certificates, reminder for licensees to maintain current contact information, compounding records rule update, pharmacy’s social media presence, electronic perpetual inventory logs, care facility documentation of immunizations, licensure of outsourcing facilities update, Narcan® and disposal programs, hard copy prescriptions during prescriber technical difficulties, Schedule II prescription annotations and 2023 board meeting schedule. 

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

2023-01-13T12:08:23-05:00January 13, 2023|Iowa|

Kentucky

The Board of Pharmacy held a “special called” meeting on January 4 where they withdrew a new regulation and proposed rule amendments regarding out-of-state pharmacies. The rules would have created a new non-resident pharmacist license requirement for out-of-state pharmacists and stricter requirements for an out-of-state pharmacy to acquire a non-resident pharmacy permit. At the meeting, it was stated that the withdrawal was due to the voluminous number of public comments they received.  

Following this, two Senate bills were introduced last week: 

  • SB 36 would reorganize the Board of Pharmacy to assign seats to different practice settings and make appointments subject to Senate confirmation. 
  • SB 37 would prohibit an out-of-state pharmacy permit holder from being required to have their pharmacists licensed, except for the Pharmacist in Charge (PIC). 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

2023-01-13T12:07:53-05:00January 13, 2023|Kentucky|

Louisiana

Effective January 1, 2023, the Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Program expanded to include a sixth managed care organization (MCO), Humana Healthy Horizons. For more information on verifying eligibility and processing claims, go to Pharmacy Facts. 

Also in Louisiana, effective January 1, 2023, Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), will implement a point of sale dispensing of contraceptives allowing a 6-month supply when the recipient has a previous history of contraceptive agents. The allowance applies to pharmacy claims submitted to FFS and MCOs (Aetna, AmeriHealth Caritas, Healthy Blue, Humana Healthy Horizons, Louisiana Healthcare Connections and UnitedHealthcare). 

Finally in Louisiana, the 2023 Naloxone standing order was updated effective January 1, 2023 

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

2023-01-13T12:07:18-05:00January 13, 2023|Louisiana|

Massachusetts

Please see these updated Provider Bulletins here (2022) and here (2023) regarding Coverage and Reimbursement Policy for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Bivalent Vaccine Doses and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, Extension of Flexibilities for Prior Authorization of Formula, Pediatric Immunization Vaccine / Administration SL Modifier Change and Managed Care Entity Bulletin 95: Access to Health Services through Telehealth Options for Members Enrolled in Managed Care Entities. To view and download other MassHealth publications visit Provider Publications. 

Also in Massachusetts, on January 11, 2023, the Massachusetts Public Health Council approved redrafted regulations at 105 CMR 700.00 which will authorize pharmacy technicians to administer influenza and other immunizations as designated by the Department of Public Health. Regulations also reduce the age of persons from 9 to 5 who may receive a vaccination at a pharmacy. DPH also adopted an amendment that will allow a pharmacist to administer the first dose of a controlled substance for the treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders. These regulations are expected to be published in the next two weeks. 

Also in Massachusetts, regarding Long Term Care Facilities and Pharmacies, 105 CMR 721.070(A)(11) provides an exception to the e-prescribing mandate for prescriptions written for long term care (LTC) residents. This exception was set to expire on January 1, 2023, or such later date as determined by the Department. Considering the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) extending, from January 1, 2023, to January 1, 2025, its implementation of the requirement to e-prescribe Medicare prescriptions in LTC facilities, the Department will follow suit and hereby extends, until January 1, 2025, the exception for prescriptions issued to LTC resident under 105 CMR 721.070(A)(11). Those LTC facilities with e-prescribing in place are encouraged to continue using it.  

Please see 105 CMR 721 (mass.gov) and accompanying 2019 ePrescribing Manual for details.  

Finally in Massachusetts, while Amoxicillin Oral Powder for Suspension remains on the FDA drug shortage list, Board-licensed pharmacies may compound this product from solid oral dosage forms provided that the FDA guidance on compounding beta-lactam products in shortage is followed to mitigate the potential risk of cross-contamination.  

Once the shortage has resolved, use of commercial products must resume.  

Please review the Board’s Policy on Compounding Copies of Commercially Available Drugs.  

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

2023-01-13T12:06:37-05:00January 13, 2023|Massachusetts|

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