Effective May 1, 2021, the COVID-19 related universal prior authorization (PA) number will no longer be accepted for pharmacy overrides related to the three-month maintenance supply program. The universal PA will continue to work for claims associated with COVID-19 in other allowances (other than the three-month maintenance supply program) as described in the March 17, 2020 ALERT which can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
On February 19, the Board of Pharmacy adopted regulation changes in Title 12, Chapter 52 of the Alaska Administrative Code. The final rule of the Board of Pharmacy refines the requirements for registration with the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) controlled substance prescription database, clarifies the requirements for registration by pharmacists before dispensing schedule II, III, or IV controlled substances under federal law, in particular clarifying the mechanism for out-of-state pharmacists to obtain a registration exemption and for those same pharmacists to meet registration requirements before dispensing controlled substances in this state and to clarify that a “prescriber” would be required to register within 30 days after initial licensure or registration with the DEA, whichever is later. These changes will be printed in Register 238, July 2021 of the Alaska Administrative Code. The rule is effective May 6, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Division of Pharmacy Services issued a final rule effective April 16 adding six opioid substances, four depressants, and two synthetic cathinones to Schedule I. The rule also adds three opioid analgesics to Schedule II, three mood-altering substances to Schedule IV, two substances to Schedule V and modifies Schedule VI removing FDA-approved cannabidiol substances from Schedule V.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
NACDS and the California Retailers Association submitted a joint letter to the Assembly Business and Professions Committee in support of AB 1328, legislation allowing pharmacists to perform all CLIA-waived tests.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy’s teleconferenced Licensing Committee’s April 21, 2021, meeting agenda and meeting materials have been posted along with information to participate. Also, the teleconferenced Enforcement and Compounding Committee’s April 22, 2021, meeting agenda has been posted along with information to participate.
Also in California, the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee will meet on April 21, 2021, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. via video/audio conference only. To attend the meeting via video conference, please use the P&T Meeting Link. To join the meeting via teleconference, please use the call-in phone number: 1 (619) 407-9860 and enter phone conference ID: 520 391 953#.
Also in California, on April 1, the online attestation period opened for fee-for-service Medi-Cal pharmacy providers seeking the higher of two professional dispensing fees as part of the reimbursement for covered outpatient drugs. Medi-Cal pharmacy providers should have received a communication that includes the URL for the online attestation portal, as well as a unique login ID and password, by email, fax, or mail. If you have not received this communication, please call the Attestation Survey Hotline at 1-844-294-9982 or email CODSurvey@mercer.com. The attestation period for the 2020 calendar year is open until 11:59 pm April 30, 2021, and no attestations will be accepted after that time. The attestation for the 2020 calendar year reporting period determines the professional dispensing fee component of the pharmacy claim reimbursement for claims with dates of service from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. For additional information, providers can refer to the Pharmacy Provider Self-Attestation FAQs or may call the Attestation Survey Hotline at 1-844-294-9982, or email their questions to CODSurvey@mercer.com.
Also in California, Medi-Cal Rx Transition and Resources Training announced three sessions covering important Medi-Cal Rx changes for pharmacy providers and prescribers. For registration, all the training sessions are posted on the Education & Outreach Calendar within the Saba Learning Management System (LMS); you must be logged into the User Administration Console (UAC) to access the Education & Outreach Calendar in Saba.
Lastly in California, the Board of Pharmacy is beginning the development of its new strategic plan and is seeking stakeholder feedback. The Department of Consumer Affairs, SOLID Planning Solutions (SOLID), is assisting the Board with its strategic planning process. Completed surveys will provide input as to how the Board is doing by identifying strengths, challenges, and current trends to consider for the future direction of the Board. All responses are anonymous. This survey will be open until April 30, 2021. For your convenience, NACDS is providing a PDF file of the survey.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Florida Medicaid will continue to align with the Medicare vaccine administration rates. These rates were updated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services effective March 15, 2021. COVID-19 vaccines administered with a date of service on or after March 15, 2021, must be paid at the new rates. All guidance applies to both the fee-for-service and Statewide Medicaid Managed Care delivery systems unless otherwise stated.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy published the following effective May 12, 2021:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The following bills of importance to pharmacy under both practice expansion and reimbursement have passed both chambers before the Legislature adjourning this week. They are now on their way to Gov. Hogan for signature. NACDS commends the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores and the Maryland Pharmacists Association for their work on the ground on these issues.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Mississippi Board of Pharmacy has issued the below final rules:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy held a two-day meeting this week. Among the items discussed were updated on pending legislation that impacts pharmacies and a general discussion on pharmacy workforce conditions.
Also in Missouri, on March 3, CMS approved a SPA to allow pharmacists to bill MO HealthNet for all services within their scope of practice. The effective date was retroactive to January 1, 2021. More information can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.