Ohio
The Board of Pharmacy announced their appointments to the Pharmacy Workforce Advisory Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Texas
The 30-day special session that Gov. Greg Abbott (R) convened on July 8th came to an abrupt halt on July 12th when the many Democrat legislators fled the state breaking a quorum to block a vote on the election integrity bill. Under House rules, all business was suspended because the absent Democrats meant that there were not members present to conduct business.
Also in Texas, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores (TFDS), the Texas Medical Association (TMA), the Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA) sent a joint letter https://www.nacds.org/ceo/2021/0716/PMP-Funding-Letter-vF07.9.21.pdf requesting the legislature appropriate $5.4 million for 2022-23 biennium to fund the Texas State Board of Pharmacy’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). It is critical that these funds be appropriated before September 1, 2021, to prevent any PMP usage interruptions. Without funding, these critical tools to help slow and prevent the opioid abuse crisis may cease.
Finally in Texas, the state Comptroller Glenn Hegar’s (R) latest revenue estimate released last week in advance of the special session shows the current two-year budget cycle with a general revenue balance of $5 billion for the fiscal cycle that ends on August 31, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Vermont
Effective July 1, 2021, the Vermont Medicaid program will allow reimbursement for pharmacists providing tobacco cessation counseling. Tobacco Cessation CPT codes 99406 and 99407 will be open for pharmacist to bill with no PA required. Further details are provided in this Vermont communication.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Arizona
The Industrial Commission of Arizona posted the 2021-22 Fee Schedule Staff Proposals and Request for Public Comment on June 29. The proposal relates to Workers’ Comp claims. The 2021-22 Arizona Physicians’ and Pharmaceutical Fee Schedule includes a new product reimbursement methodology including NADAC. A public hearing will be held on July 29.
Also in Arizona, on July 2, Gov. Doug Ducey (R) announced plans to rescind a variety of pandemic-related executive orders (EOs) related to the public health emergency including these pharmacy-related EOs:
- Effective July 1, the following EOs was rescinded:
- Executive Order 2020-17 deferred requirements to renew state agency and board licenses that had an expiration date between March 1, 2020 and September 1, 2020 by six months from the expiration date unless those requirements could be completed online. The timeframe for the deferrals lapsed on March 1.
- Executive Order 2020-58 ensured cost-sharing requirements, such as co-pays and co-insurance, for the COVID-19 vaccine are waived. This policy was codified by congress through the CARES Act.
- Effective July 9, the following EO was rescinded: Executive Order 2020-20 allowed pharmacists to dispense emergency refills of maintenance medications for up to 180 days, minimizing unnecessary trips to the doctor. With legislation expanding availability of telemedicine, obtaining refills is now more accessible.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
California
Pharmacy facility licenses with a PHY prefix may be renewed on the Board of Pharmacy’s website with credit card payment. Online payments may be submitted no more than 60 days prior to the expiration date and allow two business days for processing.
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services reminds providers that the California poppy and blue and white version of the Benefits Identification Card (BIC) are still be to accepted by providers, and providers must continue to verify eligibility.
Also, the California, the Board of Pharmacy will conduct several committee meetings as follows. The Full Board Meeting will be held on July 28-29; agenda and materials will be posted on the website in advance.
- Licensing Committee agenda for July 14
- Communication and Public Education Committee agenda for July 14
- Enforcement and Compounding Committee agenda for July 15
- Legislation and Regulation Committee agenda for July 15
Also in California, AB 128, the 2021-22 budget bill authorizing Medi-Cal coverage of continuous glucose monitors for adult individuals with type 1 diabetes effective January 1, 2022, has been signed into law (Chapter 21, Statutes of 2021).
Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy announced the extension of the pharmacy law waiver related to retired or canceled pharmacist licenses until September 1 or when state of emergency ends, whichever is sooner.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Florida
The Department of Health proposed to amend regulations under FAC 64D-3 to add the coronavirus (COVID-19) to the list of reportable diseases and conditions. Comments and hearing requests are due July 21.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Illinois
The Department of Human Services issued a proposed rule that would amend regulations under 77 IAC 2070 to add dronabinol oral solution and capsules to the list of Schedule II controlled substances. Comments are due August 9.
Also in Illinois, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Critical Access Pharmacy (CAP) Dispensing Fee Fiscal Year 2022 Attestation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Louisiana
The Department of Health (LDH) issued several new Medicaid bulletins for pharmacies:
- Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Diagnosis Code Requirements for Select Drugs – Effective July 1, 2021
- Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Quantity Limit for Dulaglutide (Trulicity®) – Effective July 1, 2021
- Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Clinical Authorization and Criteria Updates for Select Drugs – Effective July 1, 2021
- Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Educational Alert for Opioid Prescriptions – Effective July 1, 2021
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed HF 33, the Health and Human Services omnibus budget bill on June 29. Notably, the final bill includes an increase in the Medicaid professional dispensing fee from $10.48 to $10.77, an expansion of the list of drugs permitted to be dispensed in a 90-day supply, an allowance for medication therapy management via telehealth and a requirement that Medicaid conduct a cost of dispensing study to determine a statewide dispensing fee for specialty drugs.
Also in Minnesota, the Board of Pharmacy posted an announcement and FAQs that they rescinded COVID operational variances due to Gov. Walz ending the state of emergency on July 1. The Board expects pharmacies to be compliance with current statute and rules by July 16. The announcement clarifies that the PREP Act and Declarations pre-empt state laws and remain in effect.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.