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So far Michael Silber has created 2016 blog entries.

California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note DUR Claims Edits were not reinstated on May 1 and the Electronic Claims Agreement Submission Deadline has been extended to July 31, 2022. Additionally, the Medi-Cal Rx 180-day prior authorization (PA) transition scheduled to go into effect July 1 will not take place.  Medi-Cal Rx will continue to utilize historical PA and claims data beyond July 1.  There is no new date for the transition.  However, providers will be notified 90 days before the PA transition takes place.  

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted its agenda for the May 11 Board Meeting; see link below. 

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted its May update. 

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

2022-05-06T10:22:23-04:00May 6, 2022|California|

Illinois

The Illinois Drug & Therapeutics Advisory Board will hold an Ad Hoc meeting on June 7, 2022, to review the ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) class in detail.  

Also in Illinois, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted an Updated Medicaid Preferred Drug List Effective 07/01/2022. You may view the new List at the following link.  

Also in Illinois, please join the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, in conjunction with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Department of Homeland Security, on Wednesday, May 18th at 8:30 a.m., to learn more about the current cybersecurity threats to retailers and what you can do to help mitigate your risk.  

During the online seminar attendees will hear from Steve Lyddon, Protective Security Advisor for CISA, about a variety of topics surrounding cybersecurity including:  

  • Threats to Critical infrastructure 
  • Basic Cyber Hygiene and Security 
  • Understanding Mis – Dis – and Mal information 
  • CISA’s Shields-Up Program which deals with the defense of the nation’s cyber security and industrial control systems since the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.

Register HERE. 

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

2022-05-06T10:21:25-04:00May 6, 2022|Illinois|

Iowa

NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy in support of proposed rule changes that would make permanent the temporary allowances for remote processing. These were granted by Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) and the Board of Pharmacy in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. If adopted, the proposed rule would permit pharmacists to provide remote counseling services and allow certified pharmacy technicians to perform delegated functions at a location that is not a licensed pharmacy. 

Also in Iowa, the Board of The Board of Pharmacy has posted its meeting minutes from the March 1, 2022, meeting. 

Finally in Iowa, the Department of Human Services issued INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2337-MC-FFS announcing the following June 2022 Iowa Medicaid Pharmacy Program Changes effective June 1, 2022. 

  1. Changes to the Preferred Drug List (PDL) Effective June 1, 2022 
  2. New Drug PA [Prior Authorization] Criteria – Triheptanoin (Dojolvi) 
  3. Changes to Existing PA [Prior Authorization] Criteria 
    1. Apremilast (Otezla) 
    2. Biologics for Arthritis 
    3. Janus Kinase Inhibitors 
    4. Selective Preventive Migraine Treatments (formerly CGRP Inhibitors) 
  1. Point of Sale Billing Updates – ProDUR Quantity Limits
  2. Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Update 
  3. Pharmacy Average Acquisition Cost (AAC) 
    1. AAC Rate Setting Process 
    2. Rate Review Requests  

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

2022-05-06T10:20:11-04:00May 6, 2022|Iowa|

Kentucky

On May 5, the Department of Medicaid Service (DMS) issued a statement asking pharmacies to hold off on reprocessing and rebilling TPL claims as requested by MedImpact in a recent communication to pharmacies. The statement, issued by Dr. Fatima Ali, Senior Director, Medicaid Pharmacy Services, reads: “DMS is requesting that pharmacies hold off on reversing and reprocessing claims until further guidance is provided in the upcoming days. DMS is exploring alternative solutions around the TPL issue and will provide additional updates ASAP. Thank you!” 

NACDS thanks the Kentucky Retail Federation and the Kentucky Pharmacists Association for their work on this issue and for sharing this information with us. We will keep members informed via email on any developments on this issue. 

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

2022-05-06T10:17:20-04:00May 6, 2022|Kentucky|

Louisiana

HB (House Bill) 424 by Rep. Chris Taylor (R), legislation lowering the age to 7 and older for pharmacies to be able to provide immunizations without a prescription, fell one vote short of the 53 votes needed to pass the full House; final passage vote was 52 in favor and 37 opposed. 

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

2022-05-06T10:16:28-04:00May 6, 2022|Louisiana|

Minnesota

To view this week’s Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine provider weekly update, past updates or to subscribe to them click here.

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

2022-05-06T10:15:53-04:00May 6, 2022|Minnesota|

Nebraska

The Board of Pharmacy published its May 9 agenda (REVISED) and March 7 draft minutes. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department. of Health and Human Services distributed the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) Health Advisory: Updated Information on Availability and Use of Treatments for Outpatients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Who are at Increased Risk for Severe Outcomes of COVID-19. 

Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on June 1 at noon (Central). 

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

2022-05-06T10:15:03-04:00May 6, 2022|Nebraska|

New Jersey

NACDS submitted a letter to the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy seeking clarification on a policy matter related to the expiration of Schedule III-V controlled substance prescriptions. NACDS members have received direction from representatives of the New Jersey Medicaid program that contradicts both federal and state laws and regulations regarding the timeframe in which Schedule III-V prescriptions expire, NACDS has asked the Board to provide needed clarification on this matter.

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

2022-05-06T10:14:29-04:00May 6, 2022|New Jersey|

North Carolina

The Board of Pharmacy has completed a rulemaking to create new Rule .2515, “Remote Work by Pharmacy Personnel.”  The rule authorizes, and governs, a pharmacy’s use of its own pharmacy personnel employees to perform certain remote operations. The rule is effective May 1, 2022.  

The Board’s March 17, 2020, Expanded Emergency Services Waiver, issued because of the COVID-19 public health emergency, previously authorized intra-pharmacy remote operations. New Rule .2515 does not differ materially from the waiver provisions concerning intra-pharmacy remote operations.  

Accordingly, Rule .2515 (and not the waiver) will govern this practice come May 1. Detailed guidance to Rule .2515 is found here. Please note, a different rule, Rule. 1816, governs inter-pharmacy remote medication order processing arrangements. Detailed guidance to that rule is found here.  

Also in North Carolina, all the respective statewide standing orders for all new therapies allowed under HB 96 can be found here.

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

2022-05-06T10:13:44-04:00May 6, 2022|North Carolina|

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