Michael Silber – Page 6

New Jersey

On October 29, 2024, the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens approved S1981, an Act to expand authority of pharmacy technicians in administering drugs and vaccines and permits pharmacists and pharmacy interns, externs and technicians to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The bill was moved with an amendment, which now moves to the Senate floor for action. The Assembly had previously approved the same bill, A1899. The bills will need to be reconciled before final passage. NACDS will continue to advocate for passage of legislation that expands vaccine authority and recognizes pharmacy technicians.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-31T13:18:47-04:00October 31, 2024|New Jersey|

New York

On October 25, 2024, the State Department of Health updated its “Pharmacists as Immunizers” Fact Sheet. The fact sheet includes updated billing codes, reminder that Medicaid is the payor of last resort and highlighting the change that immunizations of children ages three to 17 years will no longer be authorized as of December 31, 2024.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-31T13:18:08-04:00October 31, 2024|New York|

North Carolina

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a request by the state to extend the hot foods waiver in response to Hurricane Helene. The hot foods waiver will now run until December 4, 2024, to allow families to purchase hot foods for the Thanksgiving holiday. Please make sure your point-of-sale (POS) systems are updated with the new expiration date. As a reminder, the hot foods waiver applies statewide to accommodate those who have been displaced by Hurricane Helene.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-31T13:17:35-04:00October 31, 2024|North Carolina|

Oregon

The Board of Pharmacy posted the November 7, 2024, Board Meeting agenda and meeting materials online. The board will meet in the Executive Session after discussing General Administration item (d.). The Public may attend the board meeting in person during the Open Session. Please see the meeting agenda for additional meeting information. Please be advised that additional meeting materials may be added to the agenda prior to the board meeting. Visit the board website for current meeting materials.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-31T13:17:02-04:00October 31, 2024|Oregon|

South Carolina

The Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) published a Medicaid Bulletin (MB# 24-063) related to “Ongoing Provider Revalidation”. Please recall flexibilities offered by CMS to all state Medicaid agencies during the federal COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), allowed for the temporary suspension of the Medicaid provider enrollment revalidation process. With the conclusion of the federal PHE in 2023, the SCDHHS is required to resume the provider revalidation process. The SCDHHS restarted this process in June 2024. A list of providers scheduled for revalidation will be published on the SCDHHS website as each cohort’s revalidation period begins.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-31T13:16:27-04:00October 31, 2024|South Carolina|

Tennessee

According to the Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Rule 0780-01-95-.10(1)(b) and 0780-01-95-.10(2)(b), the deadline to submit an attestation of low-volume status and proof of actual prescription volume to your contracted PBMs is December 1, 2024. Volume status is based on your pharmacy’s actual prescription volume from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

Also in Tennessee, the Tennessee Pharmacy Association (TPA) is hosting a Pharmacy Technician Conference on November 16 from 9:00 am to 4:15 pm. Pharmacy technicians are invited to register at one of four locations across Tennessee to advance their careers, earn continuing education (CE) credit (including pharmacy law and patient safety) and develop valuable connections.

Finally, register for the TPA and the Tennessee Pharmacists Consortium for Education’s (TPCE’s) training program, the PBM Playbook: Mastering MAC Appeals in TN. The three-session training program will be presented by Tyler Dougherty, an esteemed expert in PBM reform and compliance. The sessions are on November 6, November 20 and December 4. Please register in advance.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-31T13:15:53-04:00October 31, 2024|Tennessee|

Texas

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) posted the biannual specialty drug list.

Also in Texas, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) combined the individual weekly influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 surveillance reports into one report called the Texas Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report. A new Respiratory Illness Interactive Dashboard contains respiratory illness data including emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths associated with flu, RSV and COVID-19.

Also in Texas, the DSHS offers an Immunization Toolkit with educational resources to help Texans understand the importance of protecting themselves and others with the flu vaccine.

Also in Texas, the quarterly meeting of the Board of Pharmacy will be on November 5. The Board posted the agenda and will livestream the meeting.

Finally in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy posted the October newsletter.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-31T13:15:20-04:00October 31, 2024|Texas|

Alaska

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) signed a bill into law that aims to ensure consumers have access to affordable prescriptions and level the playing field for pharmacies by regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) House Bill 226 – CHAPTER 61 SLA 24.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-24T14:08:54-04:00October 24, 2024|Alaska|

California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts, weekly notice, and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:

Also in California, effective September 17, the opioid antagonist protocol was amended. The approved regulation text with changes has been posted by the Board of Pharmacy.

Also in California, starting January 1, 2025, personal license renewal applications will no longer be mailed and licenses that are eligible for renewal will be processed online.

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:

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

Michael Silber2024-10-24T14:08:23-04:00October 24, 2024|California|

About Michael Silber