Washington
The Health Care Authority has a new email address for inquiries on new or updated policies and procedures.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Alabama
All previously published expiration dates related to the COVID-19 emergency are once again extended by the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid). The new expiration date is the earlier of November 30, 2021, the conclusion of the COVID-19 national emergency, or any expiration date noticed by the Alabama Medicaid Agency through a subsequent ALERT. A listing of previous Provider ALERTs and notices related to the health emergency is available by selecting the Agency’s COVID-19 page.
Also in Alabama, as a reminder, effective January 1, 2020, all newly registered technicians are required to complete a Board approved training program within six (6) months of registration. Failure of a technician to complete the required training within the specified time period may result in disciplinary action for the technician, as well as the supervising pharmacist and the permit holder. Any technician required to complete training that has not done so will not be able to renew their technician registration online.
Finally in Alabama, renewal notices have been mailed to all facilities and technicians. Online renewals are now open. Please note that ALBOP will be processing renewals as timely as possible, but to ensure registrations and permits do not lapse, please submit renewals as early as possible.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Arkansas
The Division of Medical Services (Medicaid) is seeking comments by November 8, 2021, on proposed rules that would 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 specifies that clients must pay for their own medications beyond the maximum benefit, removes the extension of benefits provisions, and revises refill requirements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Board of Pharmacy posted the following:
- October 27 Communication and Public Education Committee meeting agenda and meeting materials and
- October 27-28 Full Board Meeting agenda and meeting materials.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy maintains an index of precedential decisions and makes it available annually to the public by email subscription. Go to www.pharmacy.ca.gov to join the Board’s email list.
Also in California, NACDS and the California Retailers Association worked with Magellan and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to conduct an informational webinar on October 13 for chain pharmacies to learn about the important elements related to implementation of Medi-Cal Rx (start date of January 1, 2022). Both the presentation and the audio recording are available. To access the recording, use this link and click on “↓ Download (3 files)” in the upper right corner of the webpage. If your company would like to schedule its own training, please contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801 or sguckian@nacds.org, and we will connect you directly to Magellan and DHCS to schedule the training.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
To better facilitate e-prescribing and e-prior authorizations, the Department of health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) created a Medicaid prescriber tool to help improve patient health outcomes, reduce administrative burdens, and save money.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Florida
The Florida Board of Pharmacy proposed to amend regulations under FAC 64B16-30 to clarify the disciplinary guidelines, the range of penalties, and the list of aggravating and mitigating circumstances. Comment Due Date: 10-25-2021.
Also in Florida, the Florida Board of Pharmacy proposed to amend regulations under FAC 64B16-26 to update incorporated forms for licensure and immunization administration. Comment Due Date: 10-25-2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Georgia
Fall Virtual Medicaid Fair, Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 8am EST. The opening session will highlight news from the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) including an overview of current initiatives and program and policy updates. The day will feature WebEx based break-out sessions focused on relevant topics for our provider community along with time for questions and answers. To register online and for details, visit here. Attendees must register to reserve a seat for each individual session selected.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Instructions for COVID-19 Vaccine Additional Dose and Booster Dose. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services has also posted a REVISED version of the 09/03/2021 Provider Notice entitled Additional Instructions for COVID-19 Vaccine 3rd Booster Dose.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Massachusetts
Governor Charlie Baker (R) announced this week that Acting Assistant Secretary for Health and Human Services Amanda Cassel Kraft will take over the permanent responsibility of running the state’s $19 billion MassHealth -Medicaid program.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Minnesota
On November 3 NACDS and the Minnesota Retailers Association will co-host a virtual discussion concerning legislation that would give pharmacists the authority to prescribe HIV preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis. If you would like to join the discussion, please email Jill McCormack for meeting sign in information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Nebraska
The Dept. of Health and Human Services has posted the DUR Board November 9, 2021, meeting agenda and DUR Policy Statements (as of July 2021); see links below.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
New Jersey
The New Jersey Board of Pharmacy proposed to adopt regulations under NJAC 13:39-1 to require pharmacy permit holders and registered pharmacists-in-charge to implement a continuous quality improvement program to prevent prescription errors.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
New York
The NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) has initiated its Statewide Formulary for Opioid Dependence Agents and Opioid Antagonists. In a meeting this week with the New York State pharmacy community, the department recognized that there still are some issues with supply and Medicaid Managed Care plans, including pharmacy reimbursement concerns. NYSDOH mentioned a concern about a general lack of awareness by bench pharmacists of this change and strongly urged all pharmacies to send the DOH update to all pharmacy staff.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper (D) has issued Executive Order 236, which was introduced to amend Executive Orders 130, 139, and 193 and extend Executive Order 152 as well as waive regulations to expedite the administration of COVID-19 vaccines. The new order removes licensing requirements for medical personnel for assisting with vaccine administration and directs the State Health Director to continue all programs that have been previously implemented for the purpose of disease prevention, protection, reporting, and detection. This order extends the order to require the State Health Director to issue statewide standing orders needed to facilitate COVID-19 vaccination and testing, as well as administer monoclonal antibody treatment. This order is effective immediately and will expire on January 5, 2022.
Also in North Carolina, the next Board of Pharmacy election is scheduled to begin November 1, 2021 and North Carolina pharmacists will vote to fill two positions. Voting coincides with the license renewal period and will run from November 1, 2021 through March 1, 2022. All pharmacists actively licensed and living in North Carolina at the start of the election will be eligible to vote for both districts. The winners of this election will begin their terms on May 1, 2022. Below is the link to the bios of the candidates in the two districts.
http://www.ncbop.org/election2021WesternDistrictCandidates.html
http://www.ncbop.org/election2021NorthernDistrictCandidates.html
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Oklahoma
The Board of Pharmacy published its October 2021 Newsletter and a clarification of Article 21.53.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Ohio
The Ohio Department of Health (ODM) has published provider guidance regarding administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children. Additionally, Providers who were unable to attend the Oct. 19 webinar about ordering pediatric COVID-19 vaccine can view the presentation COVID-19 Vaccine: Pediatric Vaccine Overview and How to Order Doses Through VOMS.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Tennessee
The Tennessee Department of Health is now accepting applications for the position of Executive Director of the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy. Interested pharmacists should apply by the closing date of November 2, 2021. For more information CLICK HERE and search for “pharmacy board director”.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
Despite the efforts of NACDS, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores (TFDS), the Texas Pharmacy Business Council (TPBC) and other stakeholders to ensure $2.5M in funding for the Texas Board of Pharmacy’s Prescription Monitoring Drug Program’s NarxCare and clinical alerts in SB 8, Rep. John Raney’s (R) amendment we supported was stripped out of the Appropriations bill that passed on the final day of the third special session that ended on Tuesday, October 19th.
Also in Texas, on November 2nd, the Board of Pharmacy will convene in-person to consider final adoption of proposed rules that would create two new classes of pharmacy, Class A-N, for community pharmacies compounding certain non-sterile preparations, and Class A-SN designation for community pharmacies compounding both sterile and non-sterile preparations.
Finally in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is seeking stakeholder comments on the agency’s funding needs for their 2023 legislative appropriations budget request. Recommendations must be emailed to CFOStakeholderFeedback@hhs.texas.gov by November 19th.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Vermont
Effective 10/14/21, pharmacies may submit claims for administration of a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for dates of service on or after September 10, 2021. The Department of Vermont Health Access issued an updated guidance reminds pharmacies for any additional questions please contact the Healthcare Pharmacy Help Desk at 1-844-679-5362.
Also in Vermont, Governor Scott (R) signed a proclamation recognizing October as Pharmacists’ Month.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Arkansas
Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) continues to work with legislative leaders to forge a consensus on income tax reductions before convening a special session this month. Pharmacies are advocating that the Governor include in his list of clean up items a repeal of the insulin rebate law (Act 1104) passed earlier this year.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed the following bills:
- AB 1064 (Chapter 655), authorizing a pharmacist to independently initiate and administer any vaccine that has been approved or authorized by the FDA and received an ACIP individual vaccine recommendation published by the CDC for persons 3 years of age and older and
- AB 1533 (Chapter 629), extending the operation of the Board of Pharmacy until January 1, 2026. It also requires the Board to convene a workgroup to discuss whether moving to a standard of care enforcement model would be feasible and make recommendations to the Legislature about the outcome of these discussions through a report submitted to the Legislature; authorizes a pharmacist to initiate, adjust, or discontinue drug therapy for a patient under a collaborative practice agreement with any health care provider with prescriptive authority and authorizes a pharmacist to provide MAT pursuant to a state protocol; and authorizes an advanced practice pharmacist to initiate, adjust, or discontinue drug therapy without specifying the manner of such actions. Finally, it allows the Board to fine chain community pharmacy companies up to $100,000 for three or more repeated violations within five years, or a maximum of $150,000 for violations demonstrated to be the result of a written policy or which was expressly encouraged by the common owner or manager. In California, a chain community pharmacy is defined as a chain of 75 or more stores under the same ownership.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy has posted the following agendas and meeting materials for committee meetings on October 20:
- Enforcement and Compounding Committee Meeting Agenda and Meeting Materials
- Licensing Committee Meeting Agenda and Meeting Materials
Also in California, NACDS and the California Retailers Association worked with Magellan and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to conduct an informational webinar on October 13 for chain pharmacies to learn about the important elements related to implementation of Medi-Cal Rx (start date of January 1, 2022). The presentation is currently available and an audio recording will be available soon. If your company would like to schedule its own training, please contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801 or sguckian@nacds.org, and we will connect you directly to Magellan and DHCS to schedule the training.
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is working toward full Assumption of Operations (AOO) of all pharmacy services on January 1, 2022, to Medi-Cal Rx. DHCS will transfer previously established Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) account information from the existing Medi-Cal fee-for-service Fiscal Intermediary to Medi-Cal Rx. If a pharmacy does not wish to have their EFT account information transferred to Medi-Cal Rx, there is an “opt out” option available until close of business on November 8, 2021. Pharmacy Providers may also provide new or modified EFT account information. Details are available in the “Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Providers Electronic Fund Transfer Set Up and Opt Out provider bulletin.
Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy amended and reissued several waivers related to staffing ratio and supervision associated with immunization-related activities. These will expire March 31, 2022, or until 30 days after the emergency declaration is lifted, whichever is sooner.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Florida
The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) announced a CME learning opportunity free of cost for eligible providers. The Agency aims to reduce the impact of substance use disorders in Florida by increasing the capacity of health care providers to screen, briefly intervene, and refer to treatment (SBIRT) individuals with substance use disorder. In this online CME program, providers will learn how to use SBIRT in their daily practices. This learning event particularly emphasizes SBIRT practice tips in the evaluation and management of pregnant women. The CME is available to providers online from the University of Florida at the following link.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Iowa
The Board of Pharmacy announced it is seeking pre-Notice comments on its draft statewide protocol for pharmacists to test and treat patients for COVID-19. Comments may be submitted through October 22 to Sue Mears at sue.mears@iowa.gov.
Also in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy alerted licensees and registrants about recent activities by individuals posing as employees of the Board, DEA and FDA.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Louisiana
Effective October 1st, the Department of Health’s (LDH) Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), in consultation with the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board, began implementing quantity limits for select medications at the Point of Sale (POS): Asthma/COPD Bronchodilator, Anticholinergic (COPD) – Inhalation Agents; Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs); Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Agents; Tasimelteon (Hetlioz LQ™) [a Sedative Hypnotic];Vericiguat (Verquvo®) in Heart Disease, Hyperlipidemia – Vasodilators, Coronary. LA FFS-MCO Qty Limits
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maryland
The following laws that passed in the 2021 Legislative session went into effect on October 1:
- HB 429 This law allows therapeutic substitution under certain circumstances. It requires a pharmacist, or the pharmacist’s designee, to inform a consumer of the availability of a therapeutically equivalent brand name drug that is the lowest cost alternative to the originally prescribed drug or device and the cost difference between the equivalent drug or device and the prescribed drug for cash paying customers only. It does not apply to prescriptions reimbursed by a third-party payor. Also requires the pharmacy to provide written notice, or to maintain a record that indicates a patient was notified in writing or orally, that the generic product is equivalent to the brand name product.
- SB 298 This law requires an owner of a pharmacy to provide notice of the closing of the pharmacy at least 14 days prior to the anticipated closing of the pharmacy, It also requires the notice to indicate the name of the pharmacy where customer prescriptions and records will transferred, and that a customer may request that their prescriptions and records be sent to another pharmacy. The Board of Pharmacy will have to promulgate regulation on this law.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.