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So far Michael Silber has created 2747 blog entries.

Kansas

Two Senate bills advancing of interest to pharmacies were amended and are now pending action by the full House. SB 200 allows pharmacists to test and initiate therapy for strep, flu, and urinary tract infections under protocols developed and approved by the Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Advisory Committee. SB 28 requires PBMs (Pharmacy Benefits Managers) to be licensed and regulated by the Insurance Department. It also addresses MAC (Maximum Allowable Cost) pricing and delineates what items a PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager) can request during a MAC appeal. If these bills pass the House, they will be returned to the Senate for ultimate action to concur with the House changes. 

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

2022-03-18T10:42:29-04:00March 18, 2022|Kansas|

Louisiana

Legislation that makes permanent provisions granted under the PREP (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness) Act filed by Rep. Chris Turner (R) will be heard in the House Health and Welfare Committee on Wednesday morning, March 23 at 9:30 AM. HB 474 will allow the pharmacist, pharmacy intern and pharmacy technician, without a patient specific prescription or medical order, to administer all vaccines to anyone three years old and older.  

Also in Louisiana, Gov John Bel Edwards (D) announced that he would NOT renew the COVID-19 public health emergency order that expired on March 16th. The Board of Pharmacy (Board) issued a  guidance document listing all the current interim policies and their expiration dates. 

At their May 11th meeting, the Board will consider whether to terminate or further extend any interim policies. Three of the policies (identified in guidance document) were based on the federal declaration of emergency as opposed to the state declaration of emergency. Since the federal declaration of emergency is still in effect, the expiration dates for those three interim policies were extended for the duration of the federal public health emergency.

Of particular importance to many pharmacies and pharmacists is the authority provided by the federal PREP Act Declaration and its subsequent amendments for pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 tests and therapeutics. For as long as the federal public health emergency and PREP Act Declaration are in place and not modified, that authority remains in effect. 

Finally in Louisiana, all providers who file claims with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), including pharmacy providers and immunizing pharmacists, are reminded that they must enroll in the new Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal to continue being reimbursed. All existing providers must log in and submit an enrollment through the portal. LDH had requested a deadline extension from March 31st to June 30, 2022, but it is still pending approval from CMS, so providers are encouraged to act now to complete enrollments so that their claims will not be denied.  

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

2022-03-18T10:41:38-04:00March 18, 2022|Louisiana|

Michigan

At the Michigan Pharmacy Provider Liaison Quarterly Meeting. Discussion focused on clarifications of several policy documents. The next pharmacy liaison meeting will be held on June 9. 

Final Policies Issued 

HASA 22-02: COVID-19 Response: Coverage of FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Injections by Pharmacy Providers 

Published L-Letters 

L 22-05: Clarification of Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) 

Record Retention 

L 22-04: Additional Guidance and Clarification for the Coverage of COVID- 19 Prevention, Treatment, and Support Services. 

Proposed Policy: 

2156-Pharmacy: Signature Log and Proof of Delivery Requirements 

2202-Pharmacy: COVID-19 Response: Coverage of U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Injections by Pharmacy Providers 

2155-Pharmacy: Update to Contraceptive Supply Limit 

Web Announcements: 

Summary of Michigan Single PDL (Preferred Drug List) Changes – effective 2/01/2022 https://michigan.magellanrx.com/provider/external/medicaid/mi/doc/en­ us/MIRx PDL changes.pdf 

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

2022-03-18T10:39:08-04:00March 18, 2022|Michigan|

Missouri

The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) issued a standing order on March 15th signed by the state Epidemiologist, Dr. George Turabelidze, enabling individuals to receive coverage for purchased tests for SARS-CoV-2. This policy authorizes Missouri pharmacies to charge an individual's insurance carrier, whether it is private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare coverage, for COVID-19 testing. Additional state testing resources are available at health.mo.gov/communitytest.  

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

2022-03-18T10:38:18-04:00March 18, 2022|Missouri|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the fee schedule for COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibodies effective March 11.  

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on April 6 at noon (Central). This webpage also includes links to notes and audio recordings of previous calls.   

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

2022-03-18T10:35:55-04:00March 18, 2022|Nebraska|

Oregon

The Board of Pharmacy issued its March 2022 newsletter that includes the following articles: 

  • "No. 671 New Rules for Telework" 
  • "No. 672 New Temporary Rules: Accurate Hours of Operation, Temporary/Emergency/Permanent Pharmacy Closures, and PT and COPT Licensure"
  • "No. 673 Rulemaking Updates" 
  • "No. 674 Compliance Updates" 
  • "No. 675 Technicians Must Work Under the Supervision, Direction, and Control of a Pharmacist at All Times" 
  • "No. 676 Licensing" 
  • "No. 677 Board Member News: A New Board Member and Current Opportunities" 

Also in Oregon, as the state enters a new phase of the pandemic, the Oregon Health Authority announced its five-point plan, "Oregon RISE: Resilience in Support of Equity." 

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

2022-03-18T10:35:01-04:00March 18, 2022|Oregon|

Rhode Island

The Department of Health issued a Public Health Alert due to increased opioid overdose activity in Hopkinton, Richmond, East Greenwich, West Greenwich, and Exeter (Region 9). Read the full Alert here.

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

2022-03-18T10:33:49-04:00March 18, 2022|Rhode Island|

South Carolina

The Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS (South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services)) will reimburse for Food and Drug Administration-approved coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over the counter (OTC) tests for home use. SCDHHS will reimburse SCDHHS-enrolled pharmacy providers for these tests as authorized within sections 9811 and 9821 of the American Rescue Plan Act, and further delineated within the August 30, 2021, letter from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (SHO# 21-003).  

OTC tests will be covered without prior authorization or cost share with a quantity limit of eight tests per 30-day period. Prescriptions for tests are not required. A one-time override will be allowed per 30-day period (up to a maximum of 10 tests per 30-day period). The per test (unit) rate of reimbursement will not exceed $12 ($24 for a box of two tests). To be eligible for reimbursement, claims must be submitted as a pharmacy claim. For billing purposes, pharmacies will use one of the five SCDHHS-recognized OTC test kits in the table below.  

 

SCDHHS will reimburse for dates of service on or after Jan. 1, 2022. The Medicaid program cannot pay a member directly for a test they have purchased on their own; therefore, SCDHHS will only reimburse providers for OTC COVID-19 tests. SCDHHS will also update guidance regarding coverage of additional COVID-19 OTC tests as required.  

Questions regarding fee-for-service claims processing should be directed to Magellan Medicaid Administration's Call Center at (866) 254-1669. The call center is available 24 hours/day. 

For questions regarding pharmacy benefits related to the managed care organizations (MCOs) serving South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid members, please contact the MCO (Managed Care Organizations) directly. 

Also in South Carolina, PSyn (a Health Insurance Consulting Firm), Inc has been contracted by DHEC's Division of Diabetes and Heart Disease Management to gain insight from pharmacists regarding your knowledge and interests in primary care clinics. We would appreciate it if you would take some time to complete this survey to help PSyn, Inc and DHEC develop their research.  

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

2022-03-18T10:33:09-04:00March 18, 2022|South Carolina|
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