Utah
The Board of Pharmacy posted the April 26, 2022 signed meeting minutes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Virginia
On May 27, Gov. Youngkin (R) signed HB 1323 and SB 672, identical bills that mirror pharmacies immunization and testing authority from the federal PREP (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness) Act. The bills, sponsored by Delegate Bobby Orrock (R) and Senator Siobhan Dunnavant (R), were priorities of VACDS (Virginia Association of Chain Drug Stores) and NACDS. Specifically, the bill allows pharmacist and technicians to administer the full Centers for Disease Control (CDC) vaccine schedule to patients 3 years of age and older; clarifies that pharmacists can order and administer COVID tests; allows pharmacists to initiate tobacco cessation therapies including prescription drugs under protocol; and requires Medicaid to reimburse pharmacies for the initiation of treatment and vaccines.
Also in Virginia, The Department of Health has updated the COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order to reflect CDC/ACIP recommendations from May.
Finally in Virginia, The Board of Pharmacy has posted the agenda for the June 6th Public Hearing and Full Board Meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Washington
The Health Care Authority (HCA) revised the Emergency COVID-19 Fee Schedule provider billing guidelines under COVID-19 for Apple Health.
Also in Washington, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board will be meeting on June 15th to review drug classes for the Washington PDL, and for the DUR Board to review drug classes for the Apple Health (Medicaid) PDL. This meeting will be held by Zoom webinar only. You will need to register for the webinar to receive the meeting link.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Wisconsin
A new online self-guided license application process, LicensE, is now live. Applicants can apply at the new, online, self-guided occupational license application at license.wi.gov.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Alabama
Effective June 7, 2022, providers will no longer be able to access the Medicaid Interactive Web Portal using Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE). At that time, the Medicaid Interactive Web Portal will officially support the Microsoft Edge browser and may also be accessed with other modern browsers.
If you are currently using IE, the Department strongly recommends you update to the Microsoft Edge web browser. When changing browsers, it is important to familiarize yourself with the various user interfaces and navigational changes.
If you are presently using a browser other than IE, there will be no changes when utilizing the Medicaid Interactive Web Portal.
Providers with questions concerning the upcoming change can submit them to the following email address: interChangeTesting@gainwelltechnologies.com.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Alaska
The Board of Pharmacy has proposed rules updating existing regulations on pharmacies, pharmacist interns, pharmacy technicians, wholesale drug distributors, outsourcing facilities, and third-party logistics providers. Written comments are due on June 13, 2022.
Also in Alaska, legislation expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians was sent to Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) for his signature. HB (House Bill) 145
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arizona
The Board of Pharmacy informed licensees about a scam involving a letter that is coming from the Board. The SCAM letter indicates suspension of license with opportunity to restore it by obtaining authorization from the concerned department. There is also a follow-up call to the licensee asking to wire money to resolve the issue. As a reminder, this is contrary to Board operations, the Board posted a process to manage complaints. Please reach out to the Arizona Board of Pharmacy using the contact information on the Board’s website directly if you receive suspicious mail, fax, or phone calls.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Arkansas
Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) appointed Jennifer Dillaha, M.D., as Director of the Department of Health. Since 2001, she has worked at the Department of Health leading the Agency’s health promotion efforts focused on population-based interventions to improve the health and well-being of all Arkansans. The Governor also appointed Renee Mallory, RN, BSN to the position as interim Secretary of Health.
Also in Arkansas, the Department of Human Services Medicaid established a provider portal to accept applications for new providers as an individual practitioner so that pharmacists can order, render, and prescribe with the applicable CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) documentation. Recent legislation passed gave authority to pharmacists to test for flu and strep as well, along with other prescribing authority.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.
- Prior Authorization Submission Reminders (May 16)
- Changes to the Family PACT Pharmacy Formulary (May 13)
- Medi-Cal Weekly Wrap-Up for May 6-12 (May 13)
- Medical Supplies Update: Update to the Maximum Allowable Product Cost (MAPC) for Female Condoms, Effective, July 1, 2022 (May 12)
- Medical Supplies Update: New Pharmacy Benefit, Blood Pressure Monitors, and Blood Pressure Cuffs, Effective July 1, 2022 (May 12)
- Medi-Cal Weekly Wrap-Up for April 29-May 5 (May 6)
- Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for April 29-May 5 (May 6)
Also in California, on May 6, the Department of Health Care Services hosted a Medi-Cal Rx Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) – Chain Rx Kickoff meeting to explain current MFA policy and how the exception granted for some chain pharmacies to the MFA policy expires on December 31, 2022. As indicated in the slidesDHCS will schedule bi-weekly meetings to formalize requirements and timelines. Please feel free to send questions to:
- Rajesh Adoni Rajesh.Adoni2@dhcs.ca.gov
- Gina Connors Gina.Connors@dhcs.ca.gov
- Julie Cheung Julie.Cheung@dhcs.ca.gov
Finally in California, on May 17, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released the “Medi-Cal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Operational Unwinding Plan”. This plan provides an overview of DHCS’ plan to unwind COVID-19 Medi-Cal flexibilities and resume normal Medi-Cal operations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.