The Department of Health and Social Services and the Alaska Pharmacists Association (AKPhA) have a four-question survey to understand chronic disease management practices in pharmacies operating in the state. Individuals who received continuing education credits from the AKPhA’s 55th Annual Convention & Tradeshow held earlier this year have already completed the survey.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Board of Pharmacy reminds prescribers and dispensers that mandatory e-prescribing of Schedule II controlled substances that are opioids resumed on July 9.
Also in Arizona, the Board of Pharmacy issued a notice of proposed rulemaking allowing pharmacy technicians to perform additional tasks delegated by pharmacists, including administration of a vaccine. Oral proceedings will be held on September 21.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Magellan Complete Care Members will transfer to Molina Healthcare of Florida, Inc. Molina Healthcare of Florida, Inc. (Molina) acquired Florida MHS, Inc., D/B/A Magellan Complete Care (Magellan), a Medicaid specialty plan specializing in the care of those with Serious Mental Illness (SMI). The Agency for Health Care Administration will move Magellan’s membership to Molina effective September 1, 2021. Molina will be issuing new Medicaid ID cards. All billing and claims reimbursement will be provided by Molina for dates of service beginning September 1, 2021. All claims for service dates prior to September 1, 2021, must continue to be submitted through Magellan and related questions may be directed to Magellan at 1-800-327-8613. Providers that are out of network as of September 1, 2021, will be eligible for a 60-day continuity of care period where claims will be payable to allow time for members to transition to a new provider, if necessary. The continuity of care period ends on October 31, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
SB1682, sponsored by Senator Scott Bennett (D), was signed by Governor JB Pritzker (D) on August 16, 2021. The measure will take effect on January 1, 2022, this measure amends statute to provide for additional drug pricing transparency from pharmacies.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Department of Human Services issued INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2256 updating the prospective safety edits for subsequent fills for opioids with information about point of sale (POS) billing and prior authorization (PA). Note: this informational letter replaces INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2245-MC-FFS issued July 14.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Medicaid Services (DMS) and MedImpact have announced a delay in the implementation of the planned 7–day payment cycle. The plan to migrate to a 7-day cycle is the result of continued pharmacy provider confusion and cashflow concerns regarding the previously established MedImpact payment cycle (14-day cycle and payment transfer/EFT timing and visibility). The change may be effective for the cycle end date 09/02/2021, barring unforeseen circumstances. EOB/claim file production will be aligned with this new schedule. If you have questions regarding your payments, you can contact MedImpact’s Pharmacy Network Department.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
At the August 18th Board of Pharmacy meeting, the Board approved proposed rules.
Title 46 (la.gov) that allows pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to administer medications independently of the Prep Act, and also repeals the requirement to report immunizations to physicians.
Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) announced that they will be reimbursing for pharmacist administered influence vaccines for the 2021-2022 flu season beginning on September 15, 2021.
Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Insurance is soliciting feedback from stakeholders on the roles and responsibilities of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and Pharmacy Services Administrative Organizations (PSAO). Submit comments to jeffrey.zewe@ldi.la.gov under the title “Response to Act 192 Request for Information” by November 1, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy issued on an update to the MA BOP’s Covid-19 Practice. This document reviews the issues related to license expirations, temporary emergency practice authorizations and orders, workforce issues and perpetual inventory.
Also in Massachusetts, effective August 12, 2021, MassHealth will cover the administration of the third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to individuals who qualify for the additional dose. There is no cost sharing for any COVID-19 vaccines. MassHealth expects it will pay $45.87 for administration of the third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, the same rate it pays for administration of first or second doses, using CPT code 0003A for the third dose of the Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine and CPT code 0013A for the third dose of the Moderna vaccine. Here is their updated policy.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce has published a proposed rule on PBM Licensure and Regulation. The rule is a result of the passage of legislation in the 2019 Legislative Session and will be the subject of a hearing on September 20. NACDS intends to draft comments that will be sent out for member review. Should you have comments in the meantime, please send them to Jill McCormack by Sept. 3. Instructions for accessing the hearing virtually and by telephone are included in the rule.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.