Gov. Brian P. Kemp (R) has extended the State of Emergency for Inflation, which suspended the state’s excise tax on motor and locomotive fuel. The executive order will remain in effect until 11:59 pm on November 29.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) provided pharmacy updates approved by Drug Utilization Review Board in October.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy adopted a new guidance document regarding when a prescriber must request a waiver before non-electronically prescribing a controlled substance in schedule II-V that contains an opiate. While the Board’s guidance is primarily aimed at prescribers, pharmacists should be aware of their responsibilities when they receive a non-electronic prescription of a controlled substance in schedule II-V that contains an opiate.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
NACDS reminds members that as of October 16, the MedImpact vaccine administration fee was raised to $27.49 for the first dose in a vaccine series and $9.80 for each subsequent dose in a series. Currently, pharmacies are permitted to administer all vaccines to patients 9 years of age and older (including adults) by protocol. Also notable, DMS (Department for Medicaid Services) no longer requires pharmacies to enroll in VFC (Vaccines for Children) to be reimbursed for children's vaccines if the patient meets the age requirements in statute.
Also in Kentucky, Medicaid issued Provider Notice #315 regarding September P&T PDL (Preferred Drug List) changes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
November 18 is the date for runoff election for those statewide and state legislative races. Chain pharmacies are closely watching State Rep. Barbara Frieberg (R) race in Baton Rouge, as she was our champion that fought for the immunizations bill that died in the last two hours of the legislative session that would have made the federal PREP (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness) Act efficiencies permanent.
Also in Louisiana, if the Louisiana Legislature wants to prevent a district court from changing its congressional map, it has until January 15 to produce a new redistricting plan, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on November 10.
Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy's quarterly meeting was on November 15 in Baton Rouge.
Also in Louisiana, Medicaid announced that by the end of the year there will be a new Naloxone Standing Order signed by Dr. Shantel Hebert-Magee, the state's new Medicaid Chief Medical Officer, once Dr. James Hussey retires. Pharmacies need to take note for 2024 billing purposes.
Finally in Louisiana, the Single Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM) for Managed Care Organizations (MCO) managed by Magellan, was finally implemented on October 28. Magellan Medicaid Administration Inc. is now processing Medicaid MCO (managed care organization) pharmacy claims for all six MCOs (Managed Care Organizations) (Aetna Better Health, AmeriHealth Caritas, Healthy Blue, Humana Healthy Horizons, Louisiana Healthcare Connections and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan). The Magellan Medicaid Administration portal is live with helpful information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On November 15, the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously passed, S 2520, “An Act relative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparency.” The bill combined several previously pending bills that NACDS had been monitoring and advocating. S 2520 includes PBM (pharmacy benefit manager) registration and reporting in addition to other efforts towards drug cost containment by the manufacturers. The bill is now sent to the House where it is pending action. The Massachusetts legislative session will continue until July 31, 2024.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Medicaid issued proposed policy 2341 Documenting Beneficiary Consent Authorizing Automatic Refills of Prescribed Pharmacy Products for public comment.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy is hosting an online seminar on the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) at Noon on November 29. Click here to register for the online seminar.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On November 14, NYSDOH (New York State Department of Health) hosted its monthly NYRx industry call regarding the Medicaid Fee for Service program. Following agenda items were discussed:
NYRx also published billing guidance for brand name drugs with new generic launces.
On November 15, the formal printing of the withdrawal of the PBM regulations by the Department of Financial Services was published. Within the publication are:
The New York State Board of Pharmacy held its regular meeting on November 8. Relevant to chain pharmacies, the meeting included the following:
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
