The Board of Pharmacy issued a document outlining pharmacy’s authority to vaccine and perform COVID testing post the May 11 expiration of the PHE (public health emergency). Notably, the document includes a link to an updated statewide protocol to allow pharmacists and technicians to vaccinate children aged three years and older due to the passage of HB 1323 in 2022.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy’s April newsletter contains valuable information regarding legislation passed in the 2023 session and its impact on pharmacies, including HB 2754, which will make pharmacies PREP Act immunization authority permanent once rules have been promulgated. The Board’s goal is to do so by July 1, 2023. Of note, the newsletter provides information on an updated, online process to file Collaborative Practice Agreements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
This ALERT, related to COVID-19 unwinding as it pertains to Pharmacy and DME [Durable Medical Equipment], has been released.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Department of Consumer Affairs’ (DCA’)s printing provider is currently experiencing technical difficulties. As a result, the printing of the Board of Pharmacy’s renewals, certificates, licenses and letters is delayed. Printing interruption began on April 13. At this time, DCA does not have an estimated time of restoration. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
To verify your license status online: Go to the Board’s website and click on License Search in the “Quick Hits” column to view and print your license record. California law allows the printout of a license record from the Board’s website to serve as license verification.
Renewing your license: The Board reminds licensees of their responsibility to renew licenses before they expire. Renewal application forms and fees may be submitted up to 60 days before expiration.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the following reflecting actions taken at the recent April Board Meeting:
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following alerts, weekly notices and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
Finally in California, Medi-Cal posted the following:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
On May 3, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed into law Senate Bill 1550. Effective July 1, 2023, The Prescription Drug Reform Act codifies the Governor’s actions from last year to require accountability among pharmaceutical middlemen, empower consumers through increased choice among pharmacies and create transparency in prescription drug price increases. More information from the Governor’s office can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) has signed HB 559 (Public Act 103-001), which codifies the COVID Executive Order that was in effect throughout the pandemic and governed the provision of healthcare services.
For Illinois pharmacy, this means the following:
Also in Illinois, this notice provides information regarding pharmacy billing policies that will resume at the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The PHE is scheduled to end on May 11, 2023. The requirements discussed in this notice apply to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ (HFS) fee-for-service (FFS) program. The Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) do not have prescription limits as in the FFS program. The MCOs follow the Preferred Drug List (PDL) but set their own coverage policies and may have later implementation dates for the requirements below. Pharmacies may contact the applicable MCO with questions.
Effective with dates of service on and after May 12, 2023, the following pharmacy requirements that were in place prior to the PHE will resume:
Refill Too Soon
Pharmacies will no longer be able to override Refill Too Soon (RTS) claims by entering a Submission Clarification Code (420-DK) of 13, Payer, Recognized Emergency/Disaster Assistance Request. When a claim rejects for RTS, the pharmacy will need to request an override through pre-COVID processes. The RTS percentages will also be set back to the same tolerances in place prior to the PHE.
Preferred Drug List (PDL)
Changes made to the preferred drug list (PDL) due to potential drug shortages will be removed from the PDL. During the PHE, all albuterol HFA inhalers, levalbuterol inhalers and generic levalbuterol nebulizer solutions were changed to preferred status. These will revert to the pre-PHE classification.
Updates/changes will be maintained on the Department’s website on the PDL webpage.
Quantity for supplies
Blood glucose/reagent test strips quantity will be decreased to a maximum of 200 per month. Lancet quantity will be decreased to a maximum of 200 per month. Providers are reminded to bill an accurate day supply even if it exceeds one month.
Quantity limits will be reinstated for Tamiflu, insulin and suboxone.
OTC (Over-the-Counter) Coverage
The temporary coverage granted during the PHE for acetaminophen and cough suppressants containing guaifenesin, dextromethorphan or their combinations will revert to the same status in place prior to the PHE.
3 Brand Limit
Edits that were removed to allow a customer to receive three brand name drugs during a 30-day period will be put back in place.
4 Prescription Policy
Edits that were removed to allow a customer to receive more than four prescriptions during a 30-day period will be put back in place.
Third Party Liability
Drugs will again be subject to prior approval in situations where the primary insurance did not pay due to a rejection or customer deductible requirement. These edits will resume, and claims will require an override in accordance with pre-PHE billing policy.
Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
On May 1, Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed into law HB 1568, legislation allowing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraception.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health and Human Services published the following:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Prior to the legislature adjourning on April 28, SB 131, legislation that was amended to include extending the authority for pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines was sent to Gov. Laura Kelly (R). She signed it into law on May 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.