Michael Silber, Author at In The States

Massachusetts

The Board of Pharmacy issued the following two updates:

Policy 2024-02: Implantable Infusion Pumps – Outlines requirements for extended infusion times of compounded sterile preparations via implanted pumps.
247 CMR 13.00: Nuclear Pharmacy Licensure Requirements and Professional Practice Standards – The most significant change was to remove the requirement for the separate nuclear pharmacist license and defer nuclear pharmacist qualifications to the nuclear regulations at 105 CMR 120.526: Training for an Authorized Nuclear Pharmacist.

Also in Massachusetts, MassHealth released the latest Pharmacy Facts that includes a COVID-19 Vaccination Reimbursement Update.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-24T14:04:09-04:00October 24, 2024|Massachusetts|

Michigan

The Board of Pharmacy posted the Pharmacy Rules Committee Workgroup Agenda for November 4.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-24T14:03:27-04:00October 24, 2024|Michigan|

NACDS reminds members that the new Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) for pharmacy claims is scheduled to be implemented on November 4. For more information, see the Medical Assistance Portal.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-24T14:02:41-04:00October 24, 2024|Minnesota|

Missouri

Due to numerous questions on the drug shortages caused by the recent hurricanes, the Board of Pharmacy issued guidance to assist licensees.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-24T14:01:48-04:00October 24, 2024|Missouri|

Montana

Effective December 1, the Montana Pharmacy Association announced several changes: Stuart Doggett, Executive Director, will semi-retire; Deedee Grubs will begin as the association’s Executive Director; and Tony King, PharmD, MBA will serve as its lobbyist for the 2025 Montana Legislative session. Dr. King is currently the Retail Pharmacy Strategy Coordinator at St. Peter’s Health in Helena.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-24T14:00:54-04:00October 24, 2024|Montana|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the Excel file of the fee schedule for Injectables October 1, 2024 and published 471-000-540 Nebraska Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule for Injectionables.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-24T14:00:18-04:00October 24, 2024|Nebraska|

New Jersey

On October 17, A4953 was introduced and on October 24, the Assembly Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance held a discussion only hearing. The bill titled “Patient and Provider Protection Act” attempts to regulate PBMs by implementing a fiduciary duty and a rate floor. There are some concerns with the legislation that include cost of dispensing and definition of independent pharmacies.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-24T13:59:26-04:00October 24, 2024|New Jersey|

New York

NYRx released an updated Pharmacy Vaccine Billing Guidance, with new fees effective October 24.

Also in New York, on October 16, the State Department of Health hosted its monthly NYRx Pharmacy call. The agenda items included:

OMIG Restricted Recipient Program: Requirements for primary care providers and pharmacies for patients in this program including new edits taking effect in November 2024 and February 2025, and billing and referral instructions.
Reimbursement Changes under NYRx: Effective October 1, paying WAC for brand drugs that lack a NADAC (was WAC-3%)
III. New Guidance Allowing 90-Day Prescriptions and 90-Day Prescribing under NYRx
NYRx Coverage of OTC Progesterone-Only Contraception: With Opill available, NYRx reminder that they will only cover it for those with Medicaid if they obtain it from a pharmacist who is authorized to dispensing hormonal contraception per new law/ standing order and following patient questionnaire/counseling etc. or with a fiscal order from their prescriber.
NYRx Compound Policy
Prior Authorizations: Slides include clarification on NYRx prior authorization policies per a request for guidance.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-24T13:58:44-04:00October 24, 2024|New York|

Ohio

The following Board of Pharmacy rules have been posted for public comment by the Commonsense Initiative:

CSI – BIA – Sterile and Non-Sterile Drug Compounding (Comments Due 11.4.2024).pdf
CSI – BIA – FYR 2024 (Controlled Substances) (Comments Due 11.1.24).pdf (combines existing rules into single section)
CSI – BIA – FYR 2024 (Pharmacy Technicians) (Comments Due 11.1.24).pdf (extends training period for active-duty military)
CSI – BIA – FYR 2024 (Prescription Drug Collection) (Comments Due 11.1.24).pdf
CSI – BIA – FYR 2024 (Probation) (Comments Due 11.1.24).pdf
CSI – BIA – FYR 2024 (Terminal Distributors of Dangerous Drugs) (Comments Due 11.1.24).pdf
CSI – BIA – Zoning Requirements (Comments Due 11.1.24).pdf

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

Michael Silber2024-10-24T13:57:18-04:00October 24, 2024|Ohio|

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