Indiana
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.
Kansas
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.
Kentucky
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.
Louisiana
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.
Massachusetts
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.
Michigan
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.
Missouri
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.
New York
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:
- RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccination update: Discussion on recent statewide standard orders from NYSDOH including the most recently issued order for pharmacists to give RSV to pregnant individuals. These resources and others can be found at a dedicated RSV page on NYSDOH's website.
- PrEP (Pre exposure Prophylaxis) testing by pharmacies: Request was made for NYSDOH to partner in enabling pharmacies to provide such testing through needed statutory changes/authorizations.
- Pharmacy billing guidance for new generic launches: NYSDOH walked through its process to add generic coverage once a generic becomes available and after that move certain brands to this program.
- Refill period: Request made to expand refill period similar to MMC for over the counter (OTC) products (11 refills). NYSDOH discussed their policy and processes in response.
- Reminder of Pharmacists as Immunizers
- Office of Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) update: presentation on NYS OMIG's Recipient Restriction Program and how pharmacies can fill their prescriptions including a number of limitations and additional requirements. Prescriptions cannot be transferred to other pharmacies under the program.
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:
- Notice of Withdrawal of Rule on Definitions, Licensing of PBMs, Contracting with Network Pharmacies, Acquisition of PBMs, Consumer Protections, and Audits; and
- Notice of Adoption regarding Pharmacy Benefits Bureau; Pharmacy Benefit Manager Assessments; Filings and Other Requirements for Issuance
The New York State Board of Pharmacy held its regular meeting on November 8. Relevant to chain pharmacies, the meeting included the following:
- During the Report of the Chair: referenced the State Plan Amendment was approved in August related to Medicaid reimbursement for pharmacist authorized services within their scope, claims to be paid to pharmacies.
- During the Report of the Executive Secretary: Central Fill regulations will not be pursued based on comments received and instead plan to address within the broader context of Shared Services. The Long Acting Injectables bill is pending the Governor's action, plus new self-administered contraceptives in pharmacy law takes effect in 2024.
- Discussion on Pharmacy Workplace Issues: The Board discussed the USA Today article on recent events with pharmacy workplace issues/walkouts. The Board discussed how to promote the profession to youth/students to encourage them to go into the profession given enrollment declines, shortages, and related challenges. The Executive Secretary reported receiving requests that the Board should take up regulations to address this like regulating quotas, but noted its regulations follow statutory changes providing authority, which has not happened. One member of the board noted receiving feedback that there are pharmacist shortages, so pharmacies are being forced to close causing access issues.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Ohio
The Senate Health Committee held the third and final hearing on SB (Senate Bill) 144, sponsored by Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R). The bill would allow pharmacists and technicians to provide all ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) immunizations to children. Witness testimony from all three hearings has been posted on the committee page. We are cautiously optimistic the bill will be reported from the committee before the holiday break but do not expect action in the House until 2024.
Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy has issued the following rule updates:
- REVISED Comments for Stakeholder Feedback – Continuous Quality Improvement and Duty to Report (Comments Due 11.30.23).pdf
- CSI – BIA – Notification of Accessible Services (Comments Due 11.27.23).pdf
- Public Hearing Labeling of Prescription Drugs 12.12.23.pdf
- 4729:2-1-01: Pharmacy Interns – definitions, filed with JCARR (Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review)
- 4729:2-2-08: Pharmacy intern change of info, filed with JCARR
- 4729:3-2-01: Registration procedures, filed with JCARR
- 4729:3-3-02: Approved pharm tech training programs, filed with JCARR
- 4729:7-3-07: Pharmacists' medication validation, filed with JCARR
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.