Alaska
The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development cut the initial registration and biennial renewal fees for the prescription drug monitoring program-controlled substance prescription database to $0 effective December 23, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arkansas
Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) is convening a Special Session of the Legislature on Tuesday, December 6th to deal with income tax reform and repeal of the Insulin Rebate law (Act 1104/HB 1709).
Also in Arkansas, the Department of Health final rules amending the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to provide for an alternate method of reporting and allow the department to request prescription copies from dispensers for evaluation go into effect on December 3, 2021.
Finally in Arkansas. The Division of Medical Services adopted a rule revising the rate methodology and reimbursement rates for covered long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) that went into effect on December 1, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for December has been posted. Below is an outline of this month’s updates. As a reminder, Medi-Cal Rx is schedule to be implemented effective January 1, 2021.
- Changes to the Contract Drugs List (CDL), Effective December 1, 2021
- Changes to the Contract Drugs List (CDL) – Over the Counter Drugs, Effective December 1, 2021
- Changes to the Family PACT Pharmacy Formulary, Effective December 1, 2021
- Medi-Cal Rx Medical Supplies Updates
- Reimbursement for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Claims
- Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual
- Adult Vaccination Administration Fee: Pharmacy Claims and Reimbursement
- Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost (MAIC) 30-Day Pharmacy Provider Notice
- 45-Day Pharmacy Provider Notice
- Contract Drugs List (CDL) Flyer
- Medi-Cal Rx Provider Training Details
- Registering Multiple NPIs in UAC
- UAC Registration and Sign-In Troubleshooting
- UAC Registration Reminders and Helpful Tips
- Introducing the Medi-Cal Rx Education and Outreach Team
- Prescriber Training Checklist
- Pharmacy Training Checklist
Also in California, NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy in support of the proposed rule revising 16 CCR §1746.4 pertaining to requirements for notification to patients’ primary care provider following vaccine administration. In modifying the notification provisions of the rule to apply only when requested by a patient, the proposed rule change would reduce the administrative burden of preparing and forwarding potentially redundant information that is not always needed or desired by every primary care provider, especially considering that pharmacies also report administered vaccines to the California Immunization Registry. Considering pharmacist and pharmacy workload demands having amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, eliminating unnecessary administrative requirements free up pharmacy personnel to focus on meeting public demand for increased pharmacy services.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
The Department of Regulatory agencies (DORA) announced that the Board of Pharmacy, Medical Board, and Board of Nursing will hold a virtual Joint Stakeholder Meeting on December 20th seeking input on whether to develop a new statewide protocol for Statin Therapy within the scope of Collaborative Pharmacy Practice Agreements, as allowed per section 12-280-601(1), C.R.S., and Rule 17.00.00. This proposed protocol would allow pharmacists to provide evidence-based health-care services to increase access to a well-established medical standard of care. Written comments must be submitted by December 17, 2021. Oral comments will be taken from participants who are present via webinar.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis joined by Florida Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson to sign legislation that will protect Floridians from losing their jobs due to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and protect parents’ rights to make healthcare decisions for students. The bills were passed through a Special Session of the Florida Legislature and are effective upon the Governor’s signature. The legislation signed today is the strongest anti-mandate action taken by any state in the nation. Read about the legislation HERE.
Also in Florida, Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Simone Marstiller issued the following statement in support of Florida’s challenge against the Biden Administration’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule mandating that health care workers receive the COVID-19 vaccine:
“The recent CMS rule issued by Biden Administration will not only damage our stretched health care industry but impact our most vulnerable and their ability to receive the health care they need,” said Secretary Simone Marstiller. “Tying Medicare and Medicaid funding to a vaccination mandate – funding that pays for medical care for elderly, disabled, and low-income individuals – is a blatant overreach of power that must be challenged. Thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Moody, Florida is doing just that, to protect Florida jobs, ensure access to care, and empower individuals in making personal health care decisions for themselves and their families.”
Finally in Florida, the Florida HIE will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, December 7th at 12:00pm EST. Learn about how the Encounter Notification Service (ENS) provides benefits to providers and patients across Florida. You may register here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Iowa
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) posted the following, including new clinical materials related to recent ACIP recommendations for a COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 through 11 years of age:
- NEW Vaccine Information Brief (11.19.21)
- The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Orders for Administering Vaccine to Persons 5 through 11 Years of Age
- The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Preparation and Administration Summary form (Persons 5 through 11 Years of Age)
- The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Storage and Handling Summary (5 through 11 years of age)
- The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Storage and Handling labels (5 through 11 years of age)
- The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Beyond Use Date guidance and labels (5 through 11 years of age)
- The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Transporting Vaccine for Vaccination Clinics Held at Satellite, Temporary or Off-Site Locations (5 through 11 years of age)
Also in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy has posted the meeting minutes from the August 31, 2021 meeting.
Finally in Iowa, NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy concerning ARC 6012C related to Collaborative Pharmacy Practice Agreements and recommended the Board consider including physician assistants in the practitioner definition to include all licensed professionals duly authorized to prescribe to ensure all relevant pharmacy collaborations with prescribers can be leveraged to extend and improve care.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Louisiana
The Department of Health (LDH) held its monthly COVID-19 Vaccine Partners virtual webinar providing the latest statistics on vaccines administered, LDH also did a one-year look-back highlighting equitable distribution across the state’s nine healthcare regions. More information is available at La.Immunization@La.gov.
Also in Louisiana, in addition to electing new officers at the November 17th Board meeting, the board approved to move forward on adopting fee increases Regulatory Proposal 2021-G. They also discussed proposed New PPM.I.A.35, Emergency Prescriptions for Durable Medical Equipment (Draft #1) State of Emergency authorizing pharmacists to dispense emergency prescriptions of prescribed medications during a state of emergency. Finally, they approved Proposed Revision of PPM.I.D.28 ~ COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Guidance for Licensees re PREP Act Declaration by HHS (Draft #1), which is a guidance document.
Finally in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy scheduled an in-person Public Hearing on December 28, 2021, on a proposed rule on medication administration that would make permanent pharmacy technicians and interns administering immunizations. Pharmacies are encouraged to email written supportive comments to the Board in advance of the hearing. info@pharmacy.la.gov
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maine
The Notice of Agency Rulemaking Proposal regarding Joint Rule Between the Maine Board of Pharmacy and Maine Board of Nursing on Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDT) has been posted to the Maine Board of Pharmacy website. The comment deadline is January 3, 2022, at 5:00 pm. EST. Written comments may be sent to Geraldine.L.Betts@maine.gov using the subject line: CDT Proposed Rule Comment.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Mississippi
Join MPhA for a virtual Last Chance Seminar! This seminar will offer two (2) live CE hours. These hours satisfy the opioid/drugs of abuse required by the Board of Pharmacy. December 12, 2021, 4:00pm – 6:00pm. Click here to register.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
New York
The Board of Pharmacy met this week. The Executive Secretary Dina Jazrawi reported that the Board is continuing to accept applications to fill the two openings for registered pharmacy technicians to serve on the Board. Individuals must be registered and working in an Article 28 facility. In addition, there is still a pharmacist opening for a Downstate Office of Professional Discipline.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Ohio
Dr. John M. Weigand, a central Ohio physician who has served as a leader in the state’s COVID-19 pandemic response, has been appointed Medical Director at the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Aging. Since early in the pandemic, Dr. Weigand has served as Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Aging’s Regional Rapid Response Assistance Program (R3AP) and as Medical Director of the Post-Acute Regional Rapid Testing (PARRT) partnership.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oregon
The Board of Pharmacy adopted a temporary rule, effective November 19 through May 17, 2022, requiring pharmacies to post accurate hours. Accurate pharmacy operating hours must be available to patients and prescribers so they can seek alternate sources of prescription medication when a pharmacy is closed.
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy meeting will meet on December 8-9. The agenda has been posted and updated materials will be available on the board’s website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
The Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) has issued a Bulletin with updates to the Statewide Preferred Drug List clarifying when an MCO can require prior authorization for certain drugs. The PACE Prescription Drug Program has also issued a Bulletin clarifying the claims submission code for “other coverage” claims. The Bulletin applies to all prescription programs administered by PACE.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
The Department of Health and Environmental Control released a statement earlier today regarding the Omicron variant of COVID-19. DHEC is closely monitoring the variant and proactively preparing for any potential threats posed. See their full statement here, along with various resources and tracking data.
Also in South Carolina, the Centers for Medicare, and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the enrollment application fee amount for calendar year 2022 will be $631. This fee is required with any applicable Healthy Connections Medicaid provider enrollment application. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will collect the application fee before executing a provider agreement. The fee applies to initial enrollment, reactivation, revalidation, or addition of a new practice location. SCDHHS has contracted with the SC.gov Enterprise Payment System to facilitate collection of the application fee. Payments may be made by debit, credit, or e-check. Paper checks will not be accepted. More information on payment options can be found by visiting www.scdhhs.gov/provider and selecting “Online Application Fee Payment.” The provider enrollment application fee is only applicable to providers CMS has identified as institutional providers. Providers who are enrolled in or have already paid the application fee to Medicare and/or another state’s Medicaid agency or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for the same enrollment location jurisdiction.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Tennessee
Applications for TPA executive officers, society leaders, and committee members are being accepted through Dec. 15. Volunteer or nominate a colleague to serve.
Also in Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to audit providers of COVID-19 vaccines. The Tennessee Pharmacists Association requested a checklist for those who have been selected for an audit, and one was prepared by TDH. Please review the checklist and the Routine and Emergency Vaccine Management Plan in their entirety.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
The Board of Pharmacy proposed and adopted several rules at their November meeting.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) revised the Medicaid preferred drug list effective December 3, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Washington
The State Department of Health’s (DOH) December 7th COVID-19 partner call the Health Care Authority and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner will present information on reimbursement for patient counseling on COVID-19 vaccines, and provider billing and reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccines.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
West Virginia
The Legislative Rule Making Committee will be considering the PBM rule as approved by the agency on December 8. You can link to the agenda here. NACDS is currently analyzing the rule and will follow up with members operating in the state via email. In the meantime, please share any concerns you may have with the rule with Jill McCormack as soon as possible.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Arkansas
The Division of Medical Services is holding a virtual rulemaking hearing on October 20th to consider proposed rules to allow six refills per month, add certain medications that do not count toward the monthly prescription cap, and allow up to nine medically necessary prescriptions per month for Living Choices Assisted Living Program clients. The rule also would specify that clients must pay for their own medications beyond the maximum benefit, remove the extension of benefits provisions, and revise refill requirements.
Also in Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced on November 15th that individuals over 18 are eligible for the booster shot.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The following documents were recently posted on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
- 45-day Pharmacy Provider Notice – Note: Magellan Medicaid Administration, Inc. encourages pharmacies to submit test transactions prior to the transition, effective January 1, 20221, and is offering a testing window October 11 through November 30.
- User Administration Console (UAC) Registration and Sign-In Troubleshooting
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
On October 31st, Gov. Jared Polis (D) issued an Executive Order directing vaccine providers such as retail pharmacies, including those that operate under the fed retail pharmacy vaccine program, to drop existing CDC parameters around boosts eligibility, allowing all access to booster shots.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Illinois
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted Updated Medicaid Preferred Drug Lists.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Louisiana
The Department of Health (LDH) LDH recommends COVID-19 booster shots for all fully vaccinated Louisianans ages 18 and older.
Also in Louisiana, longtime Board of Pharmacy president Carl Aron, an independent pharmacist from Monroe, announced his retirement at the November 17th meeting. The Board elected Marty McKay as president.
Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) announced a billing update for COVID-19 vaccines for 5-11 years old, third dose and booster shots.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Mississippi
The Division of Medicaid (DOM) is ending coverage of the Temporary Telehealth Procedure Codes effective Friday, Nov. 20, 2021, which aligns with the end of Mississippi’s COVID-19 State of Emergency.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed into law A-1259 / S-249 which requires pharmacy benefits managers providing services within the Medicaid program to disclose certain information to the Department of Human Services. Program to require the pharmacy benefits manager to disclose to the department: (1) all sources and amounts of income, payments, and financial benefits received by the pharmacy benefits manager in relation to the provision and administration of pharmacy benefits management services on behalf of the managed care organization, including, but not limited to, any pricing discounts, rebates of any kind, inflationary payments, credits, clawbacks, fees, grants, chargebacks, reimbursements, or other benefits; (2) all ingredient costs and dispensing fees or similar payments made by the pharmacy benefits manager to any pharmacy in connection with the contract or other arrangement; and (3) the pharmacy benefits manager's payment model for administrative fees. Information reported by pharmacy benefits managers under the bill will be confidential and will not be subject to disclosure under the "Open Public Records Act."
This law goes into effect immediately.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.