Michael Silber, Author at In The States

Iowa

Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) sent a letter to Paul Pate, Secretary of State of Iowa, directing the Department of Human Services to amend current Medicaid managed care contracts to authorize a $10.38 dispensing fee per prescription across-the-board for all pharmacies under Section 31 of HF 891.  This action is in response to a meeting and letter NACDS sent to the Governor requesting a veto of language in HF 891 directing the department to amend Medicaid managed care organization contracts to authorize the establishment of a managed care pharmacy dispensing fee that is based on the current fee-for-service dispensing fee of $10.38 or a dispensing fee that is not to exceed the current fee-for-service rate and determined contractually by mutual agreement between the managed care organization and a participating pharmacy with more than 30 locations in the state and headquarters outside the state. The Governor agreed with industry stakeholders that this policy creating differential dispensing fees for certain pharmacies raises significant constitutional concerns. NACDS acknowledges the collaborative efforts of the Iowa Retail Federation and the Iowa Pharmacy Association staff.

Also in Iowa, below are highlights from the June issue of the Iowa Board of Pharmacy newsletter. See the newsletter for additional details and more information.

The law authorizing pharmacists to administer vaccinations via a practitioner-signed protocol will expire on June 30, 2021.  Beginning July 1, 2021, pharmacists may order and administer vaccinations under the Iowa Board of Pharmacy’s statewide protocol or according to a patient-specific prescription issued by a practitioner.
2021 Regular Session of the Iowa Legislature

The Board’s bill amending the Iowa Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to include nine substances that had been temporarily scheduled via rulemaking and provide conforming text to match federal CSA structure was signed into law.
The Board’s bill (HF 514) eliminating the one-year limitation of a technician trainee registration, revising delegation of functions to pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support personnel, and including other provisions relating to pharmacy practice was also signed into law.

REMINDER: As of May 12, 2021, Schedule V controlled prescriptions must be reported to the Iowa Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP).  Also, newly adopted rulemaking includes nonprescription sales of codeine-containing cough suppressants as reportable transactions.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:32:51-04:00June 17, 2021|Iowa|

Kentucky

The Board of Pharmacy has published guidance for prescribers and dispensers of controlled substances on how to correct records submitted to the Kentucky All-Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting (KASPER) system.

Also, in Kentucky, NACDS reminds members that effective July 1, 2021, MedImpact will be the single pharmacy benefits manager for the managed care program. For more information including provider notices and updates go to the Kentucky Medicaid Pharmacy Program page.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:33:35-04:00June 17, 2021|Kentucky|

Maine

As the Maine Legislature moves toward adjournment two key pieces of legislation have been signed into law. First, Governor Janet Mills (D) signed into law Legislative Document (LD) 603 — critical legislation that will help enhance patients’ access to convenient and affordable pharmacy-based care by recognizing pharmacists as providers of healthcare services in the state of Maine. The Governor also signed into law Legislative Document (LD) 8, the prescription drug disposal proposal that would expand the collection of unwanted prescription drugs for proper disposal and will be fully funded by the drug manufacturers.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:24:26-04:00June 17, 2021|Maine|

Maryland

The Department of Health published the Final Rule increasing the Medicaid Pharmacy Dispensing Fee from $11.49 to $11.67. The increase is retroactive to Feb. 1, 2021.

Also in Maryland, HB14 has taken effect without the Governor’s signature. Pharmacists may now utilize the manufacturer’s expiration date on prescription drugs issued in the original manufacturer’s packaging.

Also in Maryland, On June 15 the Department of Health issued an Amended Directive and Order Regarding Vaccination Matters that supersedes and replaces previous orders. Notably, it recognizes the ability of trained personnel to administer vaccines at vaccination sites under supervision.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:23:38-04:00June 17, 2021|Maryland|

Minnesota

The Department of Health (MDH) has given notice of intent to adopt guidance on the implementation of the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act of 2020. MDH will accept written, electronic comments until 4:30 PM CT on June 24. Questions may be sent to health.Rx@state.mn.us. For additional information or to sign up for email updates go to MDH’s Prescription Drug Transparency Webpage.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:21:46-04:00June 17, 2021|Minnesota|

Mississippi

A Proposed rule of the Board of Pharmacy would amend regulations under Title 30, Part 3001, Article XII to specify that medication orders in long-term care settings are considered prescriptions. Comments are due June 29, 2021.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:20:44-04:00June 17, 2021|Mississippi|

Missouri

In response to a request from the State Board of Pharmacy Executive Director Kimberly Grinston, NACDS and the Missouri Retailers Association submitted several pharmacists and pharmacy technicians’ names for consideration to serve on the new task force to study working conditions.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:19:59-04:00June 17, 2021|Missouri|

New Jersey

Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed into law A5820/S3866 ending the COVID 19 Public Health Emergency that has been in place since March 9, 2020. Many of the executive orders issued under the Public Health Emergency will expire by July 4, 2021. Only Executive Orders that govern vaccinations and testing will remain in effect until January 11, 2022.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:19:11-04:00June 17, 2021|New Jersey|

New York

The New York State Legislature adjourned on June 11 after passing a flurry of proposals in the last hours. Of particular interest to pharmacy are four bills:

A6476A/S4807A authorizes pharmacists to provide current immunizations, which are recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to patients eighteen years or older according to a standing order with a physician or NP. The bill also creates a regulatory process for vaccines approved in the future through the State Health Department and Education Department.
A7598/S6603 allows patients to utilize their pharmacy of choice under Medicaid managed care and have a choice in receiving medications by delivery or mail from their local pharmacy across insurance lines. The bill would also make the Fee for Service reimbursement rate for pharmacies apply to Medicaid managed care.
A1396/S3762 requires licensure for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and specifies their duties and obligations as service providers, regulated to the State Department of Financial Services and Department of Health.
A5854A/S3566 clarifies and strengthens provisions in current law to ensure that patients have the option to access every covered medication from a local network participating pharmacy and are not forced into mandatory mail order if the pharmacy accepts the same reimbursement.

Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) has until December 31, 2021, to sign the proposals into law.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:18:08-04:00June 17, 2021|New York|

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