The Board of Pharmacy (BOP) released another draft rule for stakeholder feedback from the Pharmacy Workforce Advisory Committee. This rule would establish mandatory breaks for pharmacy personnel. Members may submit comments to the BOP by January 20, 2023. Please note that the document also has guidance related to the current law around protections against employee violation reports to the Board.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Office of Medical Assistance (Medicaid) published Bulletins with updates to the Preferred Drug List effective January 9, 2023, and another about PA (Prior Authorization) instructions for Monoclonal Antibodies.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will operate on an updated schedule for Healthy Connections Medicaid claims submission and payments to accommodate the December 2022 holidays.
December 2022
Due to observance of the Christmas holiday, Monday, December 19, at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline to submit claims for payment date Friday, December 23. Payments will run Tuesday, December 20, and electronic remittance advice will be available Thursday, December 22. Payments will be dated Friday, December 23, as usual.
Monday, December 26, at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline to submit claims for payment date Friday, December 30. Payments will run Tuesday, December 27, and electronic remittance advice will be available Thursday, December 29. Payments will be dated Friday, December 30, as usual.
January 2023
Due to observance of the New Year’s Day holiday, Monday, January 2, at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline to submit claims for payment date Friday, January 6. Payments will run on Tuesday, January 3, and electronic remittance advice will be available Thursday, January 5. Payments will be dated Friday, January 6, as usual. The schedule will return to the normal payment cycle on payment date Friday, January 6, 2023.
Provider Service Center (PSC) Holiday Hours
The PSC will be closed Friday, December 23, and Monday, December 26, in observance of the Christmas holiday, and on January 2, 2023, in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday.
Please refer any questions or concerns about this alert to the PSC at 888-289-0709. The PSC’s regular hours of operations are 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Friday.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
TennCare Prescribing Providers, please see Information and Updates to the TennCare Preferred Drug List (PDL) due to Amoxicillin shortages. We encourage you to review this information thoroughly and contact the OptumRx Pharmacy Supports Center at 866-434-5520 or tnrxeducation@optum.com should you have questions.
Also in Tennessee, TennCare has established a plan for unwinding from the Public Health Emergency. In its first phase, TennCare seeks partnership from healthcare providers to encourage TennCare patients to update their contact information and register for TennCare Connect. Shareable resources are available on the website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for its December 20 meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Vermont Health Access has published updates to the Preferred Drug List (PDL) effective January 1, 2023.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Safety and Professional Services announced a new LicensE Public Application Status Lookup toll that makes it easier for employers to track the application status of current and future employees.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
On December 13, join the Alabama Pharmacy Association’s (APA’s) Year-End Continuing Education Webinar from 6:00-8:00 p.m. (CST) and earn two hours of live credit. Sessions will include “Pharmacy Law” with Stephen Brown, JD, PharmD, Assistant Professor, Samford-McWhorter, and “2023 Legislative Session Primer” with Bobby Giles, RPh, APA Government Affairs Director. Register on the APA website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy adopted the following changes to proposed rules (Regulation project amending sections 12 AAC 52.020 through 12 AAC 52.990). These regulations will take effect on December 28.
Pharmacists
Removal of the transcript requirement
Delegation of examination eligibility approval to the NABP
Authorizes a pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) to serve as a PIC for more than one pharmacy upon a written request to the board
Allows the official License Transfer Application to also serve as a license verification from the reciprocating state
Removes requirement to submit separate verifications of licensure for reciprocity applicants
Clarifies patient counseling requirements
Interns
Expands the criteria to qualify for an internship license by recognizing recent graduates
Extends the duration of the license from two years to five years
Replaces the 1,500 hours education requirement for pharmacist licensure with standardized language
Removes the affidavit of moral character requirement
Technicians
Clarifies pharmacy technician duties
Removes language relating to on-the-job training for the preparation of sterile pharmaceuticals
Pharmacies
Replaces the requirement for pharmacies located outside of the state to submit a certified true copy of the home jurisdiction license with a simple copy
Replaces the inspection report requirement with an attestation that an inspection will be completed
Facilities
Removes the fingerprint and resume requirements for wholesale drug distributors, outsourcing facilities and third-party logistics providers
For wholesale drug distributors, requires a copy of the home jurisdiction license only if the state requires licensure as a wholesale drug distributor
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
Adopts by reference the PDMP data dispenser submission guide
Recognizes 3rd party reporting vendors
Defines “appropriate identifier” as the provider’s/pharmacist’s license number
Clarifies that a provider/pharmacist must submit a zero report when no scheduled II – IV controlled substances are dispensed
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.