On July 6, Gov. Mike Parson (R) signed into law three bills enacting the largest pharmacy scope of practice expansion (HB 115 / SB 157 / SB 45 & 90). The bills allow pharmacists to independently administer all vaccines approved by the FDA as of January 1, 2023. The law also expands the services pharmacists can provide through physician protocols, and it creates framework for statewide standing orders for the testing and treatment of COVID, Flu and Strep.
Also in Missouri, effective July 30, MO HealthNet will no longer allow automatic refills or automatic shipments of medications, devices, or supplies. MO HealthNet does not pay for any
prescription without an explicit request from a participant or the participant’s responsible party, such as a caregiver, for each refilling event. Participants and providers cannot waive the explicit refill request requirement and enroll in an automatic refill program.
Also in Missouri, MO HealthNet also reported that due to the increase in the Missouri Pharmacy Reimbursement Allowance (Pharmacy Tax), the adjustment to account for the Professional Dispensing Fee for Medicaid-reimbursed prescriptions was increased effective July 1, 2023.
Also in Missouri, the Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (DCI) Department of Health and Senior Services issued a revised naloxone HCL standing order that now lists the nasal spray generically, allowing pharmacists to dispense the brand name or generic product.
Also in Missouri, starting July 17, MO HealthNet announced that the Pharmacy Help desk’s NEW hours for drug prior authorizations will be Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central; weekend hours will remain the same 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Finally in Missouri, the MO HealthNet Division recently moved all provider forms regarding MO HealthNet benefits to a new Provider Forms page.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.