New York
This week the New York State Board of Pharmacy released the finalized Board of Pharmacy Advisory memo on licensure requirement changes being proposed to the Board of Regents.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
North Carolina
HB96, sponsored by Representative Wayne Sasser (R), was signed by Governor Roy Cooper (D) on August 20, 2021. The measure becomes effective October 1, 2021, and provides for pharmacist vaccine administration, administration of long acting injectables, tobacco cessation, hormonal contraceptives, administration of the COVID vaccine and more. The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy issued guidance on how the Board is interpreting HB 96. This important guidance can be found here. Thank you to NACDS Members, North Carolina Retail Merchants and the North Carolina Pharmacy Association who worked on this bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Ohio
Medicaid (OCM) announced this week that they project July 1, 2022, as the launch date on implementation of the new managed care model that includes the seven next generation managed care plans, the Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager (SPBM), Provider Network Management (PNM) module, Centralized Credentialing, and Fiscal Intermediary. More detail is available on ODM's managed care page.
Also in Ohio, ODM has released a FAQ announcing the rates for the Managed Care Supplemental Tiered Dispensing Fee for state fiscal year 2022-23. This in in addition to the dispensing fee currently paid by the plans. Members should expect the first payment of the biennium in November 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pennsylvania
The House Professional Licensure Committee will hold an informational meeting on Monday, September 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the pharmacy-related regulatory waivers and suspensions issued by the Department of State during the COVID-19 pandemic and brief the members of the committee. NACDS plans to testify in favor of making the PREP Act permanent in state statute in coordination with the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS), the Pennsylvania Pharmacy Association (PPA) and other partners.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Virginia
The Board of Pharmacy issued the following statement via email to licensees yesterday clarifying that only registered pharmacy technicians are authorized to administer vaccines:
The Virginia Board of Pharmacy has received several inquiries regarding the ability to use pharmacy technician trainees to administer vaccines to patients. We wish to remind the pharmacy community that to be considered a "qualified pharmacy technician" as indicated on page 2 of the Department of Health and Human Services Guidance issued October 20, 2020, an individual authorized to administer vaccines must be registered with the Board as a pharmacy technician. Registration with the Board as a pharmacy technician trainee does not meet the requirement to be considered a "qualified pharmacy technician".
Also in Virginia, Alexis Page, PharmD, BCACP, has been appointed the Virginia Department of Health's (VDH) COVID-19 Pharmacy Coordinator, under the VDH Vaccine Unit. In addition to her education, Dr. Page's background includes a PGY1 Community Based Pharmacy Residency and a Community Based Pharmacy Leadership and Management Fellowship with Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. She is also Certified in Ambulatory Care Pharmacy (BCACP). Just prior to joining VDH she was the Pharmacy Manager and Residency Coordinator at Kroger and VCU. NACDS and VACDS have been working with Dr. Page in Virginia and she welcomes you to reach out to her.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) agreed to extend the telephonic counseling waiver https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/files_pdf/291.33-notification.pdf 291.33(c)(1)(B)(iii) until November 30, 2021. All other temporarily suspended rule requirements listed here TSBP | Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resources – Temporary Rule Suspensions (texas.gov) will no longer be suspended beginning on September 1, 2021.
Also in Texas, on August 25th, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued an Executive Order banning government COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Texas.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Vermont
The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation has provided updated guidelines that allows Pharmacy Technicians and Interns to administer to 19 years of age and older. It also extends the PREP Act authorization and associated liability coverage to October 2024.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Washington
The State Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, M.D., MPH, amended Order 20-03 issuing a statewide mask mandate requiring everyone over five years of age in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status effective August 23, 2021. https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Articles/ID/2901/Statewide-updated-mask-order-goes-into-effect-Monday-Aug-23.
Also in Washington, the State Health Care Authority (HCA) reminded health care providers that they are eligible for direct payments from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program's reimbursement at Medicare rates for COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccinations of uninsured individuals.
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 September 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 in the bottom section: https://medicaid.alabama.gov/news_detail.aspx?ID=13729.
Also in Alabama, please find below a link for the ALERT for pharmacy billing of the third C19 vaccine dose in selected immunocompromised patients. Effective Aug 13, pharmacy providers may submit claims for the third dose in that selected population: https://medicaid.alabama.gov/alert_detail.aspx?ID=15570
Finally in Alabama, please note a subsequent ALERT will be disseminated for the third dose for the expanded population as we near the September 20th approval date. See https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0818-covid-19-booster-shots.html for more information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Arkansas
To help overcome vaccine hesitancy amongst the Medicaid population, effective for 60 days beginning on Friday, August 13th through October 10, 2021, the state will pay all providers $100 for each COVID shot administered. The increase applies to both first and second vaccination administration of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and single shot administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccination.
https://www.nacds.org/ceo/2021/0820/Arkansas%20Medicaid%20Vaccine%20Rate%20Increase.pdf.
Also in Arkansas, the 93rd General Assembly three-day special session to debate amending Act 1002, a statewide ban on mask mandates implemented earlier this year. Two bills were filed, but neither the House nor Senate took any action to overturn the mask mandate law before they adjourned on August 6th.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Connecticut
NACDS urged the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to adopt the federal Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste Rule (the Rule) as part of its next regulatory update for rules needed to implement the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The adoption of the Federal Rule allows retailers to operate within a sector‐specific set of requirements which creates a level playing field.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding "Prior Approval Requests for Synagis". You may view the new Notice at the following link.
Also in Illinois, HB135, sponsored by Representative Michelle Mussman (D), was signed by Governor JB Pritzker (D) on July 22, 2021. The measure will take effect on January 1, 2022 (Section 25 will take effect on January 1, 2023) and requires hormonal contraceptives to be dispensed according to a prescription or standing order by a licensed physician or the medical director of a local health department. The standing order will allow a pharmacist to dispense a 12-month supply of hormonal contraceptives to a patient after completing self-screening, counseling, and patient consultation. All services provided by a pharmacist for hormonal contraceptives must be covered by a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan. The Department of Public Health must adopt rules that require a pharmacist to complete an educational training program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Louisiana
Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) issued a statewide indoor mask mandate in effect until September 1. https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/3301
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Massachusetts
The Board of Pharmacy recently updated their policy to reflect the ability of pharmacy technicians to administer the flu vaccine effective immediately.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Missouri
In response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CMS) certain immunocompromised individuals can begin receiving third doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the Department of Health and Senior Services revised their standing order.https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/statewide-orders.php.
Also in Missouri, mask mandates are back in several metro areas. Jackson County implemented a 30-day mask mandate effective August 9th for everyone 5 years and older, regardless of vaccination status. Kansas City reinstated its indoor mask mandate for individuals who are at least 5 years old for the month of August. St. Louis City and County both implemented an order requiring masks to be worn by all individuals over the age of 5 while indoors as of July 26th, with no end date.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nevada
Thirteen counties mandate masks for everyone in a public indoor setting must wear a mask: Carson, Churchill, Clark, Douglas, Elko, Humboldt, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Washoe & White Pine. Four counties require that only unvaccinated people are required to wear a mask indoors: Esmerelda, Eureka, Lander & Storey.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Hampshire
Governor Chris Sununu (R) signed into law two proposals of interest to pharmacy. HB479 addresses pharmacists’ provider status, nicotine cessation therapy and PBM requirements and HB572 expands the authority of pharmacists and licensed advanced pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Pennsylvania
The Department of Health issued a press release and FAQ to provide guidance to vaccinators regarding administering an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to immunocompromised individuals.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) regularly offers free training to prospective and enrolled Healthy Connections providers. In response to the public health emergency related to coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), many of these trainings are also now available virtually. Information about an upcoming training opportunity for Fall 2021 is listed here.
Also in South Carolina, the Practice and Technology Committee Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 10:00 am via Webex. The Committee will continue their discussion on Remote Order Processing.
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For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Virginia
The Department of Health has issued an updated standing order that authorizes the additional COVID-19 dose that has been recommended for immunocompromised individuals.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee (D) announced that all health care workers must be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021. https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/505-160-VaccinationRequirementFAQs.pdf and https://coronavirus.wa.gov/covid-19-vaccines-toolkit-businesses-and-employers
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Alabama
Online registration is open for the 2021 American Pharmacist Association (APhA) Pharmacy-based Immunization Delivery certificate training program being held Saturday, August 21, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the APA offices in Montgomery. The program is an innovative, intensive, and practice-based continuing pharmacy education activity for pharmacists, based on national education standards for immunization training from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Register for the full training
Also, if it has been longer than three years since you were certified and you want a refresher course, or if you need to satisfy the PREP Act's 2-hour immunization CPE requirement, APA will be offering six hours of CE for the live portion of the program (minus the shots), which will include the most current immunization recommendations and guidelines. The refresher program has been approved by the Alabama Board of Pharmacy for six hours of consultant credit. Register for the refresher
Pharmacy Technicians who need immunization training: APA is partnering with the Washington State Pharmacy Association to offer vaccine administration training for technicians on an ongoing basis
Also from Alabama Medicaid: On or after September 1, 2021, the Alabama Medicaid Agency will resume the EPSDT referral requirement.
Revalidation for Enrolled Providers: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the Alabama Medicaid Agency temporarily ceased revalidation for providers. Medicaid has now resumed revalidation for providers. To learn more about the revalidation process please visit www.medicaid.alabama.gov, select the "Providers" tab, then click on the "Provider Enrollment" link to view details.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
Due to fires, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declared states of emergency on July 16 in Siskiyou, Lassen and Plumas counties and on July 23 in Plumas, Butte, Lassen and Alpine counties. The Board of Pharmacy issued alerts reminding pharmacies and pharmacists of provisions in Business and Professions Code section 4062 and section 4064 to help provide prescriptions for displaced residents.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Florida
Effective immediately, the Florida Medicaid Management Information System (FMMIS) will no longer pay for services billed to Medicaid for recipients enrolled in a Fully Liable Medicare Advantage Plan. On May 3, 2021, the Agency issued a Medicaid Health Care Alert titled “Effective July 1: Providers Must Bill Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) for All Services”, which informed providers that effective July 1, 2021, the Florida Medicaid Management Information System (FMMIS) would no longer pay for services billed to Medicaid for recipients enrolled in a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). This alert is to clarify that this requirement also applies to Florida’s Fully Liable Medicare Advantage Plans, and that providers must bill all services to a recipient’s Fully Liable Medicare Advantage Plan.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Georgia
The Georgia Pharmacy Association (GPhA) is offering Immunization Delivery Training for Pharmacy Technicians, a 6.0-hour CE program consisting of both home-study and live training. Under HHS authorization (PREP Act 10.20.20) trained pharmacy technicians can administer certain vaccines under the supervision and authorization of a pharmacist. GPhA is offering live training on Saturday, October 16, 2021 in Sandy Springs. Space is limited. You can find more information here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.