Michael Silber, Author at In The States

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.

Michael Silber2022-05-20T12:07:39-04:00May 20, 2022|Arizona|

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.

Michael Silber2022-05-20T12:07:12-04:00May 20, 2022|Arkansas|

California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.

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:

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.

Michael Silber2022-05-20T12:06:03-04:00May 20, 2022|California|

Colorado

The legislature adjourned on May 11th. Prior to adjournment, several bills of interest to pharmacies passed and will be sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law, including a telepharmacy bill eliminating the mileage restrictions SB-173, and a PBM 340b bill prohibiting additional fees and chargebacks HB-1122,

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

Michael Silber2022-05-20T12:05:16-04:00May 20, 2022|Colorado|

Connecticut

Earlier this month the finalized Connecticut State Budget, HB5506, included approved changes in the Collaborative Drug Therapy Management agreements between pharmacists and any prescribing practitioner and caregiving institutions to expand pharmacists’ authority to manage patient populations.

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

Michael Silber2022-05-20T12:04:46-04:00May 20, 2022|Connecticut|

Florida

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) has posted a Request for Information (RFI) relating to the procurement of the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Program (AHCA RFI 014-21/22 Re-Procurement of the SMMC Program. The RFI may be viewed HERE.

In preparation for the upcoming procurement, the Agency is seeking information from entities and stakeholders with direct experience in the managed health and long-term care industries regarding best practices and innovations in business models as well as service delivery for Medicaid managed care.

The Agency is interested in innovative ideas and best practices to:

Leverage the managed care delivery system, either through expanded benefits or other mechanisms, to promote sustainable economic self-sufficiency among Medicaid recipients in the short and long term.
Improve birth outcomes for mothers and infants through and beyond 12-month postpartum coverage period.
Utilize value-based payment designs to simultaneously increase quality and reduce costs.
Maximize home and community-based placement and services through proactive aging-in place strategies.
Improve integration of dental and primary care services for children and adolescents.
Align quality metrics and outcomes with the Florida State Health Improvement Plan.
Enhance specialty health plans services to improve outcomes for recipients. Increase the number of plans to address target populations with specific health conditions or needs.
Increase access to community-based pharmacists within prescription benefit manager networks.
Improve mental health outcomes for children and adolescents.
Improve coordination of care for individuals enrolled in both the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Decrease mortality rates for recipients with complex chronic diseases and address payment strategies for high-cost therapies and prescription drugs in development.
Consider innovative delivery methods, including care bundling, that empower recipients in making more informed health care decisions.
Improve providers’ experience with the SMMC Program.
Improve recipients’ experience with the SMMC Program.
Increase timely access to providers and services.
Achieve cost savings throughout the SMMC Program.

The Agency will consider information gathered from responses to this RFI in preparing the competitive procurement for the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program which is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of CY (Calendar Year) 2022.

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

Michael Silber2022-05-20T12:04:14-04:00May 20, 2022|Florida|

Illinois

Governor JB Pritzker (D) has signed SB4018, effective May 13, 2022, this legislation clarifies prescription verification policies for pharmacy technicians and requires pharmacists to deliver proper notification and signage for temporary closures. Pharmacies may engage in remote prescription processing if the pharmacies have the same owner or a written contract describing the scope of services, the pharmacies share a common electronic file, and such an electronic system can produce a record at either location.

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

Michael Silber2022-05-20T12:03:21-04:00May 20, 2022|Illinois|

Kansas

Prior to adjournment last month, Gov. Laura Kelly (D) signed into law SB (Senate Bill) 200, a bill expanding the pharmacist’s scope of practice to include initiation of therapy for flu, strep or urinary tract infection pursuant to a Statewide Protocol adopted by the existing Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Advisory Committee. Also signed into law was SB 28 that sets up a regulatory framework, adjusts the MAC (Maximum Allowable Cost) appeal law, and requires Pharmacy Benefit Managers to be licensed by the Insurance Department.

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

Michael Silber2022-05-20T12:02:25-04:00May 20, 2022|Kansas|

Massachusetts

This week, NACDS wrote the Commissioner at the Department of Public Health a letter to urge her to make permanent pharmacy practice modernization in alignment with allowances under the federal PREP (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness) Act.

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

Michael Silber2022-05-20T12:01:46-04:00May 20, 2022|Massachusetts|

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