Michael Silber – Page 186

California

Having accepted a Conflict Avoidance Plan, the Department of Health Care Services plans full Medi-Cal Rx implementation will begin January 1, 2022, meaning the prescription drug benefit in Medicaid managed care will move to Medicaid fee-for-service. The Conflict Avoidance Plan will be posted on the DHCS website.

Also in California, on July 1, the Department of Health Care Services updated its COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Provider FAQs.

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy is offering a free six-hour online CE training program, “Prescription Drug Abuse and Diversion: What a Pharmacist Needs to Know,” on August 11. Preregistration is required and space is limited. For questions about the event, email the Board.

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy published a Notice of Proposed Action to amend section 1709 to Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations related to Ownership, Management and Control of Pharmacies and Other Business Entities. Written comments are due September 7.

Also in California, the California Pharmacy Law Update 2021 Edition, a free continuing education webinar from the Board of Pharmacy, is now available. The program includes recently enacted pharmacy laws, recently adopted regulations, an overview of the Board’s organizational structure and activities and tips for navigating the Board’s website.

Also in California, the director of the Department of Consumer Affairs issued several waiver extensions including one waiving license renewal requirements for individuals with active licenses between March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2021.

Also in California, the governor appointed Nicole D. Thibeau, a pharmacist, to the Board of Pharmacy. Since 2013, Dr. Thibeau has been Director of Pharmacy Services at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. She previously served as a pharmacist-in-charge at both Target and CVS pharmacies.

Finally in California, on July 27, Gov. Gavin Newsome (D) signed AB 133 (Chapter 143, Statutes of 2021) that includes language adding medication therapy management (MTM), provided by a pharmacist in conjunction with the dispensing of qualified specialty drugs, to the list of covered pharmacist services under the Medi-Cal program. It also makes an exception for MTM to the 85% Medi-Cal rate, requiring the Department of Health Care Services to implement an MTM reimbursement methodology.

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

Michael Silber2021-07-30T10:18:43-04:00July 30, 2021|California|

Iowa

The Board of Pharmacy issued a response to Gov. Kim Reynold’s July 23, 2021, Proclamation of Disaster Emergency. Given there are no further suspensions of administration rules related to pharmacy licensure or registration, the board will no longer continue its enforcement discretion regarding pharmacy practice. As a reminder, the board’s responses to the governor’s various proclamations are available on the board’s website.

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

Michael Silber2021-07-30T10:17:59-04:00July 30, 2021|Iowa|

Maryland

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) issued a request for input on a report being prepared for the Legislature on the scope of the U.S. Supreme Court opinion in Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association and how to apply the decision to Title 15, Subtitle 16 of the Insurance Article. Comments are due to MIA on Sept. 10, 2021. NACDS intends to draft comments to send out for member review. If you have any comments, you’d like us to include, please send them to Jill McCormack by Aug. 31.

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

Michael Silber2021-07-30T10:17:19-04:00July 30, 2021|Maryland|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released recent updates and information including the following:

The Heritage Health pharmacy reference guide has recently been updated (August 2021).
Because COVID-19 State of Emergency ended on June 30, those licensees, including pharmacy technicians, impacted by the original order (Executive Order 20-10) will be notified through a mailing that they need to renew their licenses before October 31.
The 471-000-540 Nebraska Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule for Injectables was updated effective July 1.
Provider Bulletin 21-13 includes changes to Preferred Drug List (effective July 15) and Hepatitis C (July 1) Criteria.
DHHS announced that all Nebraskans eligible for Medicaid expansion will receive equal benefits coverage, including OTC medications, starting October 1.
DHHS issued notice of public hearing on August 18 to receive comments on proposed changes to Nebraska Medicaid Managed Care (NAC Title 482, Chapters 2, 4 and 5). The proposed changes include removing language restricting managed care organizations from offering certain coverage, including over-the-counter drug coverage, as value-added services. Also, the proposed changes include removing language that excludes Basic benefit plan enrollees from certain services, including pharmacy services. These changes align the rules with the withdrawal of Nebraska’s 1115 demonstration waiver and implementation of the Heritage Health Adult program.

Also in Nebraska, the draft July 13 minutes from the recent Medicaid DUR Board Meeting and the Board Policy Statements are now available.

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

Michael Silber2021-07-30T10:16:17-04:00July 30, 2021|Nebraska|

Ohio

Six NACDS members have been appointed to the 11-member Ohio Board of Pharmacy Workload Advisory Committee (PWAC), including representatives from CVS Health, Kroger, Rite Aid, Walgreen and Walmart. In April 2021, the Board of Pharmacy approved the formation of a the PWAC in response to the release of a July 2020 workload survey conducted by the Board. The purpose of the advisory committee is to promote patient safety and compliance with Ohio laws and rules by analyzing survey and other data and make recommendations to the Board to address pharmacist working conditions. PWAC recommendations may include changes to Board of Pharmacy rules as well as statutory changes.

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

Michael Silber2021-07-30T10:14:36-04:00July 30, 2021|Ohio|

Oregon

The Oregon Health Authority revised regulations under OAR 333-047 and -049 regarding requirements for health care persons, entities and other enrolled providers that receive, store, administer or transfer coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, including reporting the amounts of doses administered and that are in inventory to the immunization registry, also known as the immunization information system. The rule was effective July 12, 2021.

The Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division, temporarily adopted regulations under OAR 333-047 to prohibit health care providers and vaccine sites from requiring parental consent for coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination for minors age 15 to 17 years, and from asking for a Social Security number. The temporary rule also requires persons or entities administering state-supplied COVID-19 vaccines to have a designated site coordinator, post signs with the site coordinator’s contact information, provide information about when and where to get a second dose and provide a vaccine card as proof of vaccination. The rule, which replaces an earlier temporary rule on the same topic, is effective July 9, 2021, and expires November 22, 2021.

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

Michael Silber2023-10-10T09:02:53-04:00July 30, 2021|Oregon|

Virginia

NACDS has been asked to extend an invitation to our members from Governor Ralph Northam (D) and the Department of Health to exclusive online conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci and other distinguished panelists on August 3 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm EDT. The online event is meant to help empower healthcare providers to encourage their patients to get vaccinated against COVID-19. All healthcare providers are invited.

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

Michael Silber2021-07-30T10:12:52-04:00July 30, 2021|Virginia|

West Virginia

The Board of Pharmacy launched a pharmacy workload survey that opened on July 7 and will close on August 17. The aggregate data will be used by the Board and a WV Pharmacy Workload Task Force to develop a list of recommended regulatory actions for the Board and the WV Legislature to consider. Individuals interested in participating on the WV Pharmacy Workload Task Force may complete an application by August 17 at 5:00 p.m.

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

Michael Silber2021-07-30T10:12:20-04:00July 30, 2021|West Virginia|

Alabama

The Alabama Board of Pharmacy proposed to adopt regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to establish immunization training requirements for pharmacists, interns, externs, and technicians. Comments are due Aug. 6, 2021.

Also in Alabama, the Alabama Board of Pharmacy proposed to amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to correct a statutory citation in the electronic prescription requirements. Comments are due Aug. 6, 2021.

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

Michael Silber2021-07-23T12:43:41-04:00July 23, 2021|Alabama|

About Michael Silber