In The States – Page 107 – Weekly news about states

Wyoming

Stating cost shifting to consumers among his concerns and exercising his line-item veto authority, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed SF 151, legislation amending the Insurance Code to further regulate PBMs. The new law includes language that prohibits certain fees and claw backs, prohibits PBMs from restricting or limiting disclosure of information to the insurance commissioner for investigations or review of PBMs, requires contracts between PBMs and pharmacies to include a dispute resolution process, amends MAC and MAC appeals, permits refusal to fill below-cost prescriptions and provides for one-time resources for implementation and administration of this act. The Governor’s veto message and the bill with the Governor’s vetoes are available online.

Also in Wyoming, the Office of the Attorney General published two final rules amending the lists of Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances in the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act of 1971, effective March 22, 2023.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2023-03-31T09:27:13-04:00March 31, 2023|Wyoming|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy issued Proposed Regulations relating to classifications of licensure, registration, application, license and registration renewal, notification process for changes in name, ownership or physical address of pharmacies, pharmacist-in-charge, pharmacist interns, job shadowing, security, remote pharmacy, return or exchange of drugs, automated distribution kiosks, remodeling, designated representative, drug recalls, facilities, prescription drug monitoring program, and definitions. Written comments deadline is 4:30 p.m. on April 24.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2023-03-24T10:10:12-04:00March 24, 2023|Alaska|

Arizona

SB 1283, legislation requiring PBMs to obtain a certificate of authority to operate and outlining the role, responsibilities and authority of the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, was heard in the House Regulatory Affairs Committee on March 22 where is was amended and voted (6-1) with “Do Pass Amended”.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2023-03-24T10:09:28-04:00March 24, 2023|Arizona|

California

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following alerts and weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.  

Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for March 17-23 (March 24)
Prior Authorization Submission in Advance of the Retirement of the Transition Policy – Processing Issue Resolved (March 24)
Reinstatement Spotlight (March 24)
Extended Duration Prior Authorizations for Maintenance Medications (March 22)
30-Day Countdown – Phase III, Lift 2: Retirement of the Transition Policy for Beneficiaries 22 Years of Age and Older (March 21)
Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for March 10-16 (March 17)
Reinstatement Spotlight (March 17)
Submitting Prior Authorization Requests in Advance of Retirement of the Transition Policy (March 10)
Reinstatement Spotlight (March 10)

 Also in California, Medi-Cal posted the following: 

March 2023 Pharmacy Medi-Cal Update Bulletin (March 16)
March 2023 Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supplies Medi-Cal Update Bulletin (March 16)

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has recently initiated efforts to partner with its pharmacy providers in support of a Medi-Cal redetermination initiative for beneficiary outreach, targeted for implementation in early May. DHCS is seeking pharmacies interested in participating. One example of a beneficiary outreach effort would be to affix a DHCS-provided Medicaid renewal message to all Medi-Cal beneficiary prescriptions which would include links and phone numbers to call for eligibility renewal information. If you would like to attend a meeting with DHCS to learn more about this opportunity, please submit the following information to Julie.Cheung@dhcs.ca.gov by March 31. DHCS is targeting early April to hold the first meeting which will include discussion of data-sharing.

Name of contact to attend meeting
Email address of contact

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2023-03-24T10:08:51-04:00March 24, 2023|California|

Florida

Effective April 3, HHAeXchange will be the statewide subcontractor providing electronic visit verification services (home health and personal care services) for Florida Community Care Medicaid members. If you have questions or need help, please contact Florida Community Care Provider Relations at 1- 866-962-6186. For questions or help with HHAeXchange, please contact HHAeXchange at support@hhaexchange.com or visit hhaexchange.com/info-hub/florida-smmc.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Michael Silber2023-03-24T10:08:09-04:00March 24, 2023|Florida|

Idaho

HB 215, legislation adding enforcement language to Title 41-349 related to PBMs permitting the director [Department of Insurance] to act, issue penalties and make remedies for PBMs who violate the law in accordance with authorities in the Idaho Code, passed the House (61-9) and advanced to the Senate where it was reported out of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee with “Do Pass Recommendation”.

Also in Idaho, HB 291, legislation establishing the Fair Pharmacy Audits Act and creating standards and criteria for the audit of pharmacies by PBMs or other authorized entities, passed the House (61-7-2) and advanced to the Senate where it was reported out of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee with “Do Pass Recommendation”.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2023-03-24T10:07:04-04:00March 24, 2023|Idaho|

Iowa

The Board of Pharmacy adopted ARC 6953C, implementing relevant provisions in 2022 Iowa Acts, HFs 771, 2573 and 2169. These amendments implement changes related to licensed nurses engaging in the practice of nursing pursuant to a pharmacist’s order and the issuance of a prescription in the name of a school district to obtain a bronchodilator canister, a bronchodilator canister and spacer, or an opioid antagonist.

Also in Iowa, the Department of Health and Human Services published INFORMATION LETTER NO. 2426-MC-FFS-CVD_End of COVID-19 PHE Pharmacy Allowances that includes the following: 

Override for Early Refills/Refill Too Soon
Days’ Supply
PBM or Program Integrity (PI) Audits
Patient Signature

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2023-03-24T10:06:10-04:00March 24, 2023|Iowa|

Massachusetts

On March 22, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy and Department of Public Heath, in a notice, publicly reaffirmed the state’s policy that “all pharmacies located in Massachusetts and licensed by the Board must maintain a continuous, sufficient supply of all family planning medications, including mifepristone (Mifeprex® ), misoprostol (Cytotec® ), emergency contraception and contraceptive prescriptions to meet the needs of the community.”

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2023-03-24T10:05:19-04:00March 24, 2023|Massachusetts|

Missouri

The 2023 Pharmacy Practice Guide containing updated compliance tips and information on recent statutory/rule changes, including new/revised sections on Working Conditions, Technician Supervision & Expanded Technician Activities, Electronic Final Product Verification for Pharmacists, Technology-Assisted Product Verification for Interns & Technicians and Quality Assurance is currently available.

Also in Missouri, Section 338.013, RSMo, provides that all individuals who assist a pharmacist with the practice of pharmacy must be registered with the Board as a pharmacy technician, including anyone involved in the handling of a filled prescription that is not ready for sale or delivery to the patient without further packaging, bagging, or manipulation, including cashiers or delivery staff handling a filled prescription (patient vial/container, unit of use package, bubble card, etc.) that is not packaged/bagged for final sale or delivery to the patient are required to be registered as a technician.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2023-03-24T10:04:04-04:00March 24, 2023|Missouri|