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So far Michael Silber has created 2118 blog entries.

Oklahoma

Effective September 1, 2023, pharmacy technicians may administer any vaccine that is approved or licensed by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if they have successfully completed an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-accredited training program and have current CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification. Also, the pharmacy technician must complete one hour of immunization-related ACPE-accredited or Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy-approved continuing education every year.

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

2023-10-20T12:12:33-04:00October 20, 2023|Oklahoma|

Oregon

The Board of Pharmacy permanently adopted the following rules at the October 2023 Board Meeting effective October 17, 2023, unless otherwise noted:  

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy announced the agency’s new director, Jamal Fox. Fox has more than 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors. Fox will start his new role with the agency beginning October 25. 

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

2023-10-20T12:11:56-04:00October 20, 2023|Oregon|

Rhode Island

Please see the most recent Provider Update for Medicaid. All provider updates may also be found here.  

Also in Rhode Island, effective October 1, 2023, Katie Beckett recipients will now be enrolled in a managed care organization for Case Management Services only. Case Management services are provided by CEDARR Center Providers. All other services will still be reimbursed through Medicaid fee for service.  

When checking eligibility on the Healthcare Portal (HCP) you will see the following (see sample picture below): 

  1. A new row under Benefit Plan Details – Katie Beckett Case Management
  2. A new row under Managed Care Details – Displays the name and dates of the Managed Care Plan the recipient is enrolled in. 

If you are a CEDARR provider and the recipient is enrolled in the Katie Beckett case management program, then you must bill your services to the managed care plan on file. All other providers will continue to bill Medicaid Fee for Service. 

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

2023-10-20T12:11:10-04:00October 20, 2023|Rhode Island|

South Dakota

The Board of Pharmacy posted their October 2023 Newsletter including the following sections: 

  • South Dakota Board Welcomes Newly Registered Pharmacists and Pharmacies 
  • DSCSA (Drug Supply Chain Security Act) Interoperability Standards Delayed Until November 2024 
  • USP Compounding Chapters Update 
  • Does a Pharmacy Need to be Licensed to Ship Medications to Other States? 
  • The Board Has a New Website
  • The Board Will Propose a Bill to Increase License Fees in the 2024 Session 
  • DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) Issues Multiple Guidance Documents in Recent Months 
  • PDMP (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program) Update 
  • Board Meeting Dates, Board of Pharmacy Members and Board of Pharmacy Staff Directory 

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

2023-10-20T12:10:19-04:00October 20, 2023|South Dakota|

Tennessee

To assist prescribers and providers, prior authorization (PA) requirements can be bypassed for certain medications when specific medical conditions exist. Those specific medications and diagnoses can be found here. Prescribers are encouraged to include the applicable diagnosis code on written prescriptions for inclusion on the electronic pharmacy claim. The submitted claim should include a Diagnosis Code Qualifier (Field # 492-WE) of “02,” indicating ICD-10, as well as the appropriate Diagnosis Code (Field # 424-DO).  

If you have any questions, contact the OptumRx Pharmacy Supports Center at 866-434-5520 or tnrxeducation@optum.com. 

Also in Tennessee, the October 31 Drug Utilization Committee (DUR) Board meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Please Click Here or Phone number: +1 952-222-7450 Phone Conference ID: 857 579 147# 

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

2023-10-20T12:09:45-04:00October 20, 2023|Tennessee|

Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) called lawmakers back to Austin this week for a third 30-day special session to advance border security measures, address school choice/vouchers and education savings accounts and tackle private employer COVID vaccine mandates.  

Also in Texas, prior to the third special session, State Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar (R) announced a certification revenue estimate (CRE) for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 biennium projecting a Rainy-Day Fund balance of $23.77 billion. 

Also in Texas, the Health, and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid posted the September 2023 End of Continuous Medicaid Coverage Dashboard. 

Also in Texas, the next quarterly meeting of the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) is on November 7 in Austin. This will be the first meeting with the new Executive Director/Secretary Danny Carroll, PharmD. 

Also in Texas, NACDS submitted comments to the State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) on its strategic plan for fiscal years 2025-29, recommending statutory and regulatory changes to expand upon the temporary flexibilities under the federal PREP Act related to vaccinations and Test & Treat services. NACDS also urged TSBP to eliminate the ratio at a central fill Class A pharmacy and expand telepharmacy services beyond FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers). 

Finally in Texas, the Health, and Humans Services Commission (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) Medicaid announced several changes in Preferred Drug list status effective on October 16, 2023, needed because of the shortage of several preferred brand name medications. 

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

2023-10-20T12:09:16-04:00October 20, 2023|Texas|

Washington

The five-member Prescription Affordability Board (PDAB) held its first hybrid meeting on October 20.  

Also in Washington, the State Chief Science Officer Dr Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett signed an updated statewide standing order to dispense naloxone. 

Also in Washington, the Department of Health (DOH) Immunization Division is hosting a COVID-19 and RSV Vaccine Updates Webinar (online registration) on Tuesday, October 24 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Pacific. Topics will include COVID-19 vaccine updates and RSV vaccine recommendations for older adults and pregnant persons, as well as recommendations for infants. The online seminar will be recorded. 

Finally in Washington, the Health Care Authority’s Health Care Cost Transparency Board met on October 18. 

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

2023-10-20T12:08:34-04:00October 20, 2023|Washington|

California

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following bulletins, notices, and alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.  

Also in California, Medi-Cal posted the following.  

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

2023-09-22T14:30:41-04:00September 22, 2023|California|

Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and members of the Florida Cabinet approved rules to implement several provisions of the Prescription Drug Reform Act (SB 1550). The rules increase accountability among pharmaceutical middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). As signed by the Governor earlier this year, SB 1550 institutes the most comprehensive reforms to Florida’s prescription drug market in state history. Additional information on the bill can be found here. 

Also in Florida, the Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency), along with its fiscal agent, Gainwell Technologies, is introducing enhancements implemented as part of the new NPI initiative. A new Taxonomy Master List (TML) Tip Sheet, an updated Provider Master List (PML) Tip Sheet and an updated Pending Provider List (PPL) Tip Sheet is now available. The updated PML and PPL test examples are now available. The release of the updated PML and PPL changes will occur on October 26, 2023.  After the release, a copy of the former version of the PML and PPL will remain archived on the Registration page of the Managed Care section of the Florida Medicaid Public Web Portal for reference. The release of the updated TML changes will occur on September 28, 2023.  The release will replace the current version of the TML on the Florida Medicaid Public Web Portal. To access a copy of the new TML Tip Sheet and the updated PML and PPL Tip Sheets, please visit the Florida Medicaid Public Web Portal at mymedicaid-florida.com, navigate to the Agency Initiatives tab, and select NPI Initiative. 

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

2023-09-22T14:29:59-04:00September 22, 2023|Florida|

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