On August 23, the Board of Pharmacy held its monthly meeting. On the agenda was a request for input regarding draft proposals for prescribing emergency contraceptives and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended vaccines.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Department of Health Pharmacy Commission held a Board meeting on August 24 and 25.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Medicaid Agency has published a PSA video to encourage Medicaid recipients to complete their eligibility renewal forms when their notices come in the mail. Medicaid providers and partners are encouraged to share this video in public locations and on websites.
Medicaid has taken extraordinary efforts to notify recipients when it is time to renew.
Renewal notices are sent through regular mail, and the Agency is contacting recipients by
email, text message and phone when it is time to renew (if they have provided that contact
information to the Agency). Several outreach resources are available for Medicaid partners to
make it simple to share the key messaging.
Please share the following key messaging from Medicaid:
* Public Service Announcement – August 29, 2023
* How to Update Contact Information with the Agency (Medicaid Recipients)
* Video: Keep Your Coverage
* Video (Spanish): Keep Your Coverage
Medicaid regularly updates information for recipients on the COVID-19 Information for Providers webpage. Medicaid recipients who have questions should call Medicaid’s Recipient Call Center at (800) 362-1504 or visit a Medicaid office in their area. Providers may contact the Provider Assistance Center at (800) 688-7989.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
This week, the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) held a Study Session that included pharmacy technician rules to permanently authorize pharmacy technician to administer vaccines under the delegation and supervision of a pharmacist. The GRRC will hold a meeting on September 6 where they will vote on the rules package.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) may call a special session in September to address property tax relief.
Also in Arkansas, the Governor appointed two new members to serve a six-year term on the Board of Pharmacy. Clint Boone from Little Rock replaces Rebecca Mitchell and Beth Ann Davenport from Bentonville will succeed Amy Fore.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following bulletins, notices, and alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the Updated FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) for the Pharmacy Retroactive Claim Adjustments.
Also in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declared a state of emergency in Del Norte and Siskiyou Counties due to fires. During a declared state of emergency, the Board of Pharmacy reminds licensees of information and state laws intended to help pharmacists provide prescription drugs – including controlled substances – for residents displaced because of emergency evacuation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed Executive Order 23-171, declaring a state of emergency in preparation for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Idalia. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has contacted the Medicaid Managed Care Plans, to ensure they are making the necessary preparations pre– and post–storm, including allowing for early prescription refills. Fee-for-service recipients are also eligible for early refills. The Department of Health has also issued Emergency Order 23-002, which allows for mobile pharmacies and an extension of the PDMP (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program) reporting requirements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Gov. Brian Kemp (R) declared a State of Emergency ahead of the impact of Hurricane Idalia. The Board of Pharmacy has issued a statement seeking to remind pharmacy licensees in this time of emergency that the Board’s Policy #14 provides for the refill of certain medications for up to 30 days for persons in the areas covered by the State of Emergency.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
As a result of the passage of legislation earlier this year that NACDS supported, HB (House Bill) 1568 allowing pharmacists who meet certain requirements to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered hormonal contraceptives, CMS approved the SPA (State Plan Amendment) giving pharmacists the ability to bill Medicaid for services associated with the prescribing of hormonal contraceptives.
Also in Indiana, the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) recently issued several Indiana Health Coverage Program (IHCP) bulletins of interest to pharmacies, including pharmacy updates approved by the DUR (Drug Utilization Review) Board, enhancements to the fee-for-service prior authorization submissions process and changes to the submission requirements for the FFS (Fee For Service) claim administrative review process. IDPC also provided new portal links to providers webpage.
Also in Indiana, Cora Steinmetz, JD, is the new Medicaid Director, Family and Social Services Administration (FFSA). Previously, she was Senior Operations Director for health-related state agencies for Gov. Eric Holcomb (R).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.