Michael Silber, Author at In The States

North Carolina

Beginning July 1, North Carolina will transition from a fee-for-service Medicaid program to Managed Care. More information on this transition can be found here. You may also find the June 16, 2021, Managed Care Transformation update for pharmacy stakeholders presentation here. Of note, 90-day fills and mail and delivery fees from local/community pharmacies, which were flexibilities granted during the COVID State of Emergency have been made permanent. Also Slide 18 on the presentation contains important Medicaid billing updates.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:16:24-04:00June 17, 2021|North Carolina|

Pennsylvania

Last week, the General Assembly voted to terminate the Governor’s disaster declaration. Both chambers then subsequently passed legislation, which Governor Wolf (D) signed, that extends all statutory and regulatory waivers until September 30, 2021. We anticipate further legislative action in the fall related to the continuation of some waivers and flexibilities beyond September 30 and will continue to update members on those efforts.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:15:24-04:00June 17, 2021|Pennsylvania|

South Carolina

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has informed the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) that the South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid program will participate in the Payment Error Rate Measurement (PERM) program for State Fiscal Year 2022. CMS’ PERM program was developed to measure the accuracy of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) payments made by states. Each state is reviewed once every three years. Samples of claims with paid dates of July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, will be subject to review. You can review the entire bulletin here.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:13:46-04:00June 17, 2021|South Carolina|

Texas

NACDS continues to strongly advocate, through social media messaging and pharmacists contacting Gov. Greg Abbott (R) before Sunday, June 20, 2021, that the governor sign into law HB 1919, legislation that would help maintain patients’ right to choose a pharmacy provider by prohibiting health benefit plans and pharmacy benefit managers from “steering” patients to use any in-network pharmacy provider over another.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-17T20:12:34-04:00June 17, 2021|Texas|

Alabama

The Board of Health published a notice to announce the removal of the opioid antagonist samidorphan from Schedule II of the Controlled Substances List attached to regulations under AAC 420-7-2. The action is a response to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration removing the substance on April 19. The action is effective May 19, 2021.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-04T13:13:17-04:00June 4, 2021|Alabama|

Alaska

HB 145, modernizing the pharmacy practice statutes, passed both the House Labor and Commerce Committee and the House Health and Social Services Committee earlier this year and will carry over and remain active for consideration as 2021-2022 continues next year. The bill defines patient care activities pharmacists may provide and empowers the Board of Pharmacy to regulate those services; empowers the Board of Pharmacy to more effectively regulate pharmacy support staff; and supports reimbursement for health care services by defining those services and including pharmacists in the state’s provider anti-discrimination statute.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-04T13:12:14-04:00June 4, 2021|Alaska|

Arkansas

On May 30, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) officially ended the public health emergency which has been in place since March 11, 2020.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-04T13:11:31-04:00June 4, 2021|Arkansas|

California

The Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin dated June 1, 2021, includes a summary of previously shared updates and serves as a reminder of upcoming changes, deadlines, and opportunities as outlined below:

Changes to the Contract Drugs List, Effective June 1, 2021
Medi-Cal Rx Training Information
UAC Registration Troubleshooting
Medi-Cal Rx UAC Application Roles
Provider Registration and FAQs
Medi-Cal Rx Transition and Resources Training

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) delayed the planned Go-Live date for Medi-Cal Rx. On May 28, 2021, DHCS posted an update for providers and will continue to communicate additional information as it becomes available.

Also in California, the Medi-Cal Update Bulletin 992 – May 2021 includes updates to the List of Enteral Nutrition Products, effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2021, and various provider manual updates. See bulletin for additional information.

Also in California, on May 27, 2021, the DUR Board Meeting Minutes for February 23, 2021, were posted to the DUR: Board Meetings page of the Medi-Cal website.

Also in California, as the June 30 end of the fiscal year approaches, the Board of Pharmacy expects a delay in processing payments for license renewals submitted by mail during the last week of June and the first week of July and provided guidance to licensees.

Lastly in California, the Office of Administrative Law approved regulations regarding automated drug delivery systems and off-site storage of records that take effect July 1, 2021.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-04T13:09:29-04:00June 4, 2021|California|

Colorado

The State Board of Pharmacy announced a virtual Stakeholder Meeting on June 14^th to receive feedback on Notice, Draft Rules, SB21-011, SB21-094, SB21-122, and SB21-123.

Potential rule changes related to Colorado Senate Bill 21-011 (Concerning responsibilities of a pharmacist related to opiate antagonists);
Potential rule changes related to Colorado Senate Bill 21-094 (Concerning implementing recommendations contained in the 2020 sunset report that make changes regarding the practice of professions regulated by the Board);
Implementing Colorado Senate Bill 21-122 (Concerning the bulk purchase of opiate antagonists according to a standing order);
Implementing Colorado Senate Bill 21-123 (Concerning expanding the Canadian prescription drug importation program); and
New and revised rules are recommended by the Board and stakeholders to provide clarity and a general cleanup of the rules.

To register in advance, go to Webinar Registration. Written comments should be sent by June 10^th to – dora_dpo_rulemaking@state.co.us.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-04T13:08:26-04:00June 4, 2021|Colorado|

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