Michael Silber – Page 35

Colorado

The state’s Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention’s

Annual Report is available here. This Consortium coordinates Colorado’s response to the misuse of medications such as opioids, stimulants, and sedatives. Its mission is to reduce prescription drug misuse and abuse in Colorado by developing policies, programs, and partnerships with the many Colorado agencies, organizations, and community coalitions addressing one of the state’s major public health crises.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:36:31-05:00March 8, 2024|Colorado|

Florida

The Agency for Health Care Administration has rescheduled the hearing for Rule 59G-4.250, F.A.C., Prescribed Drug Services, noticed in Vol. 50, No. 31, February 14, 2024, Florida Administrative Register, for March 20, 2024, from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive, Building 3, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

A call-in number or virtual option will not be available for this hearing. Official notice of the rescheduled hearing published in Vol. 50, No. 40, of the Florida Administrative Register (FAR) on February 27, 2024. A copy of the notice may be found on the FAR website.

Please note that a preliminary draft of the reference material, if available, will be posted prior to the workshop on our Rules Web page.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:35:46-05:00March 8, 2024|Florida|

Hawaii

On March 5, HB 2553, legislation expanding pharmacists’ immunization authority for minors, passed the House and was transmitted to the Senate.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:34:38-05:00March 8, 2024|Hawaii|

Illinois

Sent a notice to inform providers that, due to the continued prevalence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is extending its coverage for Synagis (palivizumab) through March 31, 2024. This applies to customers covered under Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) or a managed care plan. Providers should contact the appropriate managed care plan for approval guidance.

Due to the security breach and subsequent system outage at Change Healthcare, HFS’ Pharmacy Benefits Management System (PBMS) for the FFS program, providers are unable to obtain prior approval. Providers billing on the 837 Professional claim format may submit their claims for Synagis without prior approval. Pharmacies are encouraged, in good faith, to continue to provide this medication as needed. Once the system is operational, HFS will make pharmacies whole and assist with claim submissions and provide any necessary overrides.

Questions regarding this notice may be directed to a pharmacy consultant in the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565, or the appropriate managed care plan.

Also in Illinois, HFS would like to thank our pharmacy partners who have been working tirelessly to ensure Medicaid customers receive their necessary medications. During this system outage, medications, including medications that normally require prior authorization, will not be subject to a post approval process. HFS will pay all clean claims submitted once the PBMS system is operational. Prescriptions filled in good faith will be paid in full as soon as the issue is resolved. HFS cannot provide an estimate on when the system issue will be resolved.

We want to reiterate that pharmacies should continue to check eligibility, which they can do by checking one of the following resources:

MEDI – www.myhfs.illinois.gov
AVRS – 800-846-1461
Recipient Eligibility Verification (REV) System
During business hours, calling 800-252-8942 or 877-782-5565 Option 7

Additionally, pharmacists should take particular care to consult with their patients regarding their current medications, and health and medication history to reduce the risk of adverse events.

Questions regarding this notice may be directed to a pharmacy consultant in the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:34:04-05:00March 8, 2024|Illinois|

Idaho

HB 527 passed the House and was assigned to the Senate Health & Welfare Committee where it was reported out of committee with “Do Pass Recommendation.” If enacted, this bill puts into statute the current practices of pharmacy that were either part of rule or standard procedures, but not codified. This will give stability to the changes that have helped to expand access to pharmacy services in the state.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:33:14-05:00March 8, 2024|Idaho|

Louisiana

A HIVPEP/PrEP bill, HB 579, was pre-filed by State Rep. Wayne McMahan (R). The bill is modeled after the 2023 Arkansas law (Act 314).

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) issued an Informational Bulletin 24-3: updating the immunization fee schedule.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:32:36-05:00March 8, 2024|Louisiana|

Maryland

The Maryland House and Government Operations Committee Subcommittee on Insurance and Pharmaceuticals met this week and advanced an amended version of HB 76, a bill that would expand pharmacists’ ability to immunize children. The negotiated amendment to the bill would allow pharmacies to provide COVID, flu and any vaccine available because of a public health emergency to children aged 3 and older, as well as all ACIP-recommended vaccines and travel vaccines to children 7 years of age and older. The bill was reported out of subcommittee with 3 negative votes. It now goes to the full House.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:31:54-05:00March 8, 2024|Maryland|

Nebraska

The Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board posted the February 13 draft minutes. The next meeting will be held on May 7.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:31:25-05:00March 8, 2024|Nebraska|

New York

On March 5th, the NYRx Clinical Call Center reported that they are experiencing higher than normal call and fax volume. Prescribers should not send duplicate prior authorization (PA) requests to NYRx. Prescribers may experience a higher volume of requests for PA, but only one submission is necessary. Pharmacies should only request one PA for each member for each drug. Duplicate requests slow down the processing time at the NYRx Clinical Call Center. For more information, refer to NYRx Notice to Providers: Duplicate Prior Authorization Requests. To review how to submit a PA to NYRx, refer to the NYRx Prior Authorization Submission Guide.

Enhancements have been made to the NYRx clinical criteria system editing. The clinical criteria have not changed and should be reviewed on the NYRx Preferred Drug List prior to obtaining a PA. Preferred products should be prescribed when clinically appropriate. In most cases, preferred products will not require a PA when prescribed according to FDA (FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION) labeling. To review NYRx preferred products only, refer to the NYRx Preferred Drug Quick List.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:30:52-05:00March 8, 2024|New York|

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