Michael Silber, Author at In The States

Maine

On February 27, MaineCare announced it is now authorizing 30-day prescriptions to continue to assist pharmacies in fulfilling MaineCare member prescriptions in response to the Change Healthcare network interruption. This is a change from MaineCare’s temporary authorization of the use of a three-day override as noted in its February 23 e-message.

The Department will pay all eligible claims submitted once the system is operational. It is working on the details for when and how such payments will be made and will release the details as soon as possible. Change Healthcare has not issued a timeline for resolution yet. The Department will communicate a timeline for resuming normal payments as soon as possible.

Pharmacies should continue to process claims as usual. Pharmacies should check eligibility for MaineCare members during this period by calling MaineCare Provider Services at 1-866-690-5585 or checking the HealthPas online portal.

We are continuing to waive all prior authorization (PA) mandates for pharmacy. With this change to authorize 30-day prescriptions, we expect pharmacies to return to following the MaineCare Preferred Drug List (PDL).

Consistent with state and federal requirements, pharmacies may not bill, demand, or otherwise seek payment from MaineCare members (or a representative of the member) for any MaineCare covered service.

The Department stands ready to assist pharmacies in assessing MaineCare eligibility and facilitating coverage during this extraordinary period and thanks pharmacies and their staff for their help in ensuring access to medications for MaineCare members.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-01T10:37:40-05:00March 1, 2024|Maine|

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Joint Legislative Committee on Financial Services has reported H4066, a bill to expand pharmacist’s scope of practice, favorably out of the committee. Specifically, the bill directs the Board of Pharmacy to establish protocols for pharmacies to test, screen and initiate treatment or therapy for qualified health conditions: Influenza, Streptococcal infections, COVID-19, HIV, and any other conditions approved by the Board. H4066 also allows pharmacists to delegate the tasks of performing a CLIA–waived test to pharmacy technicians acting under the supervision of the pharmacists. Lastly, the bill requires insurance carriers to make available provider and consult codes for pharmacy compensation which shall be at the standard contracted rate that they reimburse for the same services by any other healthcare provider. H4066 will now be assigned to a committee of second jurisdiction. NACDS will continue to partner with the Massachusetts Chain Pharmacy Council to advocate for final passage of the bill.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-01T10:36:50-05:00March 1, 2024|Massachusetts|

Missouri

On March 4, the House Health and Mental Health Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1627, legislation pharmacies support that would bring some much-needed PBM reforms. The Missouri Pharmacy Association is organizing a rally at the Capitol on Monday, urging pharmacists and technicians to show up at 11:00 am to tell legislators that “Enough is enough” with PBM abuses.

Also in Missouri, the Board of Pharmacy’s February 2024 newsletter was posted on the Board’s website.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-01T10:36:19-05:00March 1, 2024|Missouri|

Nebraska

The Board of Pharmacy posted a revised agenda for its March 4 meeting. The board also posted the draft minutes from the January 8 and the February 6 meetings.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-01T10:35:43-05:00March 1, 2024|Nebraska|

Nevada

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the March 6 & 7 meeting in Las Vegas.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-01T10:34:49-05:00March 1, 2024|Nevada|

New York

On February 27, the State Department of Health Office of Health Insurance Programs approved the release of the January 2024 Medicaid Update.

Also in New York, the State Board of Pharmacy will be holding its regular meeting on March 7 at 10:00 am in New York City. The Board advises that members of the public wishing to observe the Board of Pharmacy’s public session must email their full name to the Pharmacy Board office (pharmbd@nysed.gov) at least 48 hours in advance. Failure to notify the Board office may result in delayed entry to the meeting. For security purposes, a valid Government issued ID will be required for admittance.

Also in New York, S8545, was introduced last week at the request of NACDS and the Community Pharmacy Association of New York State. This legislation would (1) remove the limitation on where “registered pharmacy technicians” can practice in the state to all pharmacy settings; (2) add vaccine administration authority to the duties of registered pharmacy technicians; and (3) provide greater flexibility in the supervision standard for pharmacists overseeing registered pharmacy technicians from a “direct personal supervision” standard to being immediately available. An Assembly companion bill will be introduced soon.

Also in New York, on February 13, the State Department of Health issued a new non-patient specific prescription for naloxone with pharmacy dispensing protocol effective February 13, 2024, through February 12, 2026.

Finally in New York, the State has expanded its existing efforts at monitoring and understanding prescription drug prices by enacting legislation addressing prescription drug price transparency. Effective June 19, 2024, S599-A/A1707 amends the New York Insurance Law to require prescription drug manufacturers to report certain price increases before they occur.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-01T10:33:51-05:00March 1, 2024|New York|

Ohio

The Board of Pharmacy has published a schedule of 2024 board meetings.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-01T10:32:56-05:00March 1, 2024|Ohio|

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Pharmacists Association’s (OPhA) Legislative Day at the Capitol is on March 5. Michael Leake, Deputy Attorney General and Director of the PBM unit, will update on efforts to oversee the enforcement of the Patients Right to Pharmacy Choice Act and the Audit Integrity Act.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-01T10:32:14-05:00March 1, 2024|Oklahoma|

Oregon

SB 1506 (Enrolled) passed the House and will be sent to Gov. Tina Kotek (D). This bill would allow a pharmacist to test and prescribe, dispense, and administer treatment for SAVS-CoV-2 consistent with protocols adopted by the State Board of Pharmacy by rule. It would also permit a pharmacist to delegate to a pharmacy technician or an intern under the pharmacist’s supervision the administrative and technical tasks of performing a SARS-CoV-2 CLIA-waived test. Finally, the bill would require payment for these services effective October 1, 2024, with a sunset date of June 30, 2026. 

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

Michael Silber2024-03-01T10:31:43-05:00March 1, 2024|Oregon|

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