The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced that the enhanced COVID-19 administration reimbursement rate for pharmacies will end on Sept. 30, 2022, as the new Single Pharmacy Benefits Manager (SPBM) program takes effect.
Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy issued guidance on the implementation of HB 193, which mandates electronic prescribing of Schedule II controlled substances. As the guidance notes, the law has a “safe harbor” provision which allows pharmacies to continue to fill paper prescriptions without verifying that the prescriber has an exemption. The law goes into effect on Sept. 23, 2022. Special thanks to the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants for working with NACDS and members during the legislative process to ensure that the “safe harbor” provision was included in the law.
Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy posted a notice regarding license renewals for Certified Pharmacy Technicians. The renewal process opens on Aug. 1, 2022.
Finally in Ohio, the following are updates/reminders on the topic of the upcoming October implementation of the SPBM:
- To request a spreadsheet on the new dispensing fees by store location, please email medicaidspbm@medicaid.ohio.gov and include a list of your store NPI numbers.
- ODM sent a bulletin to pharmacies reminding them of important upcoming deadlines to participate in the SPBM program.
- On August 3, 2022, the Cost of Dispensing survey that will be used to set rates in both the Fee for Service and the SPBM Managed Care programs be sent out to all enrolled Medicaid pharmacies by both US Mail as well as email, if ODM has an email for the pharmacy on record. Surveys are due back on September 14, 2022. Here is a copy of the draft survey instrument.
- Myers & Stauffer will host two instructional cost of dispensing survey webinars on Aug. 11 at 3:00 PM and Aug. 16 at 8:30 AM. Information to register for the webinars will be included in the survey packet sent to pharmacies. A draft of the dispensing survey tool can be viewed here.
- For a list of specialty drugs and ingredient cost reimbursement by drug (OAAC (Ohio Average Acquisition Cost)) please visit the Myers & Stauffer Ohio Medicaid webpage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.