The Department of Health published a final rule amending regulations to waive the requirement for pharmacists to complete 10 continuing education (CE) credits through live in-person courses for the licensure period ending February 28. The rule, which allows pharmacists to meet CE requirements through online courses, is in response to the COVID pandemic. The rule became effective on February 26.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Under Executive Order 21-47, additional groups are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. These groups are in addition to persons deemed to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19, as determined by a physician. Such physician determination shall include a statement that the patient meets the defined eligibility criteria established by a form prescribed by the Florida Department of Health.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
HB 48, legislation that would mandate commercial insurance payments for clinical services to pharmacists has passed both Chambers unanimously and is headed to the Governor for signature. The bill was introduced by Rep. Danny Bentley (R), and mandates payment for services within a pharmacists’ scope of practice and would otherwise be paid if performed by a physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant. NACDS advocated in favor of the passage of the bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Effective, March 1, pharmacy providers are now able to bill all vaccines which are listed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Immunization Schedules via NCPDP D.0 pharmacy claims for fee-for-service (FFS) and MSCAN beneficiaries. Also, reimbursement has changed in that vaccine administration fees, equal to those paid to primary care providers, will be paid instead of professional dispensing fees. PCP vaccine administration fees can be found on the Division of Medicaid’s (DOM) Fee Schedule and Rates Website page on the ‘Increased Primary Care Provider’ fee schedule tab.
These changes apply to beneficiaries aged 19 and over and vaccines administered to beneficiaries aged 10 through 18 must be administered by pharmacy providers who are enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. Further guidance will be issued for this age group at a later date.
Also in Mississippi, the Division of Medicaid published a final rule to amend regulations under Title 23, Part 224, Chapter 1, to provide for coverage of vaccine administration by pharmacists. The rule is effective April 1, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Office of Superintendent of Insurance issued a notice to health insurers regarding the use of telehealth services during the COVID pandemic, clarifying that the HIPAA penalty waiver relating to the use by providers of certain communications technologies will continue through the calendar year 2021 and that the coverage parity requirements that apply to behavioral health services are not linked to the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Board of Pharmacy published a final rule which amends regulations under 21 NCAC 46 to establish a list of restricted drugs during the coronavirus (Covid-19) public health emergency. The rule also establishes that pharmacists can fill the prescriptions on the list only if the prescription bears a written diagnosis consistent with the evidence for its use.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
NACDS authored and the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants presented joint testimony in support of HB 6 before the House State and Local Government Committee. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill Roemer (R), would permanently allow pharmacists to provide COVID-19 and flu vaccines under protocols; as well as immunizations for “any other disease” by prescription to patients aged 7 and older. NACDS will continue working with key legislators to amend the bill to mirror pharmacists’ immunization authority under the Prep Act. Our testimony urged that the General Assembly strongly consider maintaining their constituents’ current access to pharmacy-based vaccine services as the bill moves forward in the process.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Two bills supported by chain pharmacies are advancing through the committee process in the first house. SB 398 would eliminate the statutory requirement for pharmacists to have an order from a licensed prescriber to administer an immunization, making it consistent with the current practices in place during the pandemic. SB 392 is payment parity legislation that would provide reimbursement to a pharmacist for services if the insurer pays for those same services when provided by other health care professionals.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. Tom Wolf (D) announced that he has nominated Dr. Denise A. Johnson, M.D., FACOG, FACHE, to serve as Pennsylvania’s physician general. Dr. Johnson will serve as acting physician general until she is confirmed by the Senate. Dr. Johnson was most recently Chief Medical Officer at Meadville Medical Center. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology by the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She also serves on the Governor’s Commission for Women.
Also in Pennsylvania, the Department of Insurance (DOI) published a bulletin urging health insurers providing coverage to residents in the Commonwealth to continue exercising flexibility to make both COVID-related services and non-COVID-related services available to enrollees, including COVID testing, immunization, and telehealth.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.