Michael Silber – Page 45

Washington

Several bills of interest to pharmacies passed their house of origin before the February 13 crossover deadline, and now must pass the policy committee by February 21.

E2SSB 5213, legislation addressing PBMs’ predatory practices, is scheduled for a hearing in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee (HHCWC) at 1:30 pm on February 20.
SB 5982 updates vaccine laws to include all FDA-approved immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was heard in the HHCWC on February 14 and is scheduled for an Executive Session on February 16.
ESB 6095, a bill that establishes clear authority for the Secretary of Health to issue standing orders, is scheduled for a hearing in the HHCWC on February 16.

Also in Washington, members interested in registering support for these bills should use this link.

Finally in Washington, the second Washington State Pharmacy Association’s Pharmacy Legislative Day at the Capitol, sponsored by NACDS, is on February 19.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-16T09:38:26-05:00February 16, 2024|Washington|

Members should make plans to attend this workgroup meeting either in person at the Board of Pharmacy office or virtually. The meeting will delve into Alabama Administrative Code 680-X-2-.14, which defines the roles and duties of pharmacy technicians within the healthcare system. Plan to participate in the discussion and share ideas, as this will have big implications for the profession in the state.

February 19, 2024, 6:30 pm
Alabama Board of Pharmacy
111 Village Street
Hoover, AL 35242

or virtually: https://albop.com/board-meetings/

Also in Alabama, the Alabama Pharmacy Association is currently accepting nominations for the chain designated seat on the Board of Pharmacy. Please submit nominations to Louise Jones by email at LJones@aparx.org or by fax to 334-271-5423. All nominations must include the name, place of employment and contact information for both the nominee and nominator. All nominations must be received no later than March 31.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-09T09:56:36-05:00February 9, 2024|Alabama|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy is meeting online on February 15. Anyone wanting to attend the Zoom meeting must register. Here are the agenda and public meeting packet.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-09T09:56:05-05:00February 9, 2024|Alaska|

Arizona

On January 30, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services recommended SB 1085 “do pass” with a vote of 6-1. This bill would authorize pharmacists to test and initiate treatment for conditions such as influenza, COVID, strep and other respiratory illnesses and to delegate the administrative and technical tasks of performing a test to a trained member of the pharmacy staff who is under the supervision of the pharmacist. It also prohibits a health insurer from denying reimbursement for any test, screening or treatment that is within the scope of the pharmacist’s license and would be covered, if otherwise performed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-09T09:55:41-05:00February 9, 2024|Arizona|

Arkansas

The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) announced a state’s revenue surplus of $231.2 million at the end of January 2024.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-09T09:54:54-05:00February 9, 2024|Arkansas|

California

On February 6, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed SB 339 (Chapter 1, Statutes of 2024), which broadens existing pharmacist authority to provide HIV prevention services and secures payment for the provision of pharmacy-provided HIV prevention services. This was the first bill of the year to be signed by the governor.

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:

State of Emergency Override Activation: Submission Clarification Code 13 (February 8)
Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal Prior Authorization Submission Outage (February 7)
Error Notification: Omission of the Prior Authorization Form for Notice of Action Letters Mailed Between November 26, 2023, and December 26, 2023 (February 5)
Rite Aid Closure in Needles, CA (February 2)
State of Emergency Override Activation: Submission Clarification Code 13 (February 2)
Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for January 26-February 1 (February 2)

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

Michael Silber2024-02-09T09:54:24-05:00February 9, 2024|California|

Illinois

This notice serves to inform providers that Medicaid coverage for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, Abrysvo, for pregnant customers, 32-36 weeks, will end January 31, 2024, in accordance with the latest Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines.

To prevent and protect high risk children from RSV at the tail-end of the season, coverage for monoclonal antibodies, Beyfortus (Nirsevimab) and Synagis (Palivizumab), will be continued at least until the end of February this year with plans to reevaluate RSV incidence and hospitalizations before coverage is ended.

Abrysvo or Arexvy will remain available for Medicaid customers aged 60 years and over through the pharmacy point-of-sale and medical billing without a prior authorization.

Questions regarding this notice may be directed to a pharmacy consultant in the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565 for fee-for-service (FFS) claims or the appropriate managed care organization (MCO).

Also in Illinois, the Department of Health and Family Services will review the following classes for the April 11 Drug and Therapeutics (D and T) Advisory Board meeting:

Antiasthmatics-Adrenergic Combination Inhalers
Antiasthmatics-Anticholinergic Inhalers
Antiasthmatics-Beta Adrenergic Inhalers
Antiasthmatics-Steroid Inhalers

D and T Call-In Information

All clinical and financial submissions are due to the Department by 3:00 pm CST on March 21. Submissions should be sent to: HFS.SupplementalRebaleProgram@illinois.gov.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-09T09:53:46-05:00February 9, 2024|Illinois|

Indiana

More than 200 pharmacists, students and pharmacy technicians participated in the Indiana Pharmacy Association’s annual Legislative Day at the Capitol that NACDS sponsored. Attendees were briefed on the priority issues before their meetings with state legislators.

Also in Indiana, HB 1327 passed the House by a vote of 93-4 and was referred to the Senate for further action.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-09T09:52:50-05:00February 9, 2024|Indiana|

Louisiana

The Department of Health (LDH) Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) and Managed Care Organizations began reimbursing pharmacies for blood clotting factor products administered in an outpatient setting as a pharmacy benefit on February 1, 2024.

Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy’s quarterly meeting is in Baton Rouge on February 20 and 21.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-09T09:52:17-05:00February 9, 2024|Louisiana|

About Michael Silber