South Carolina
South Carolina House Bill 4663, was signed by Governor McMaster (R) on September 28. The bill authorizes pharmacists to administer influenza vaccinations to persons under 12. Such vaccines must be administered according to protocol issued by the Board of Medical Examiners upon recommendation of the Joint Pharmacist Administered Vaccines Committee. The bill requires the Committee to submit its initial recommendation to the Board within three months of this measure’s effective date, which will be October 18, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
South Dakota
The Board of Pharmacy issued a final rule regarding the licensing and oversight of pharmacists, pharmacy interns, registered pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies, including central fill pharmacies. The rule is effective October 12, 2020.
Also in South Dakota. The Board of Pharmacy has published revised policy statements on pharmacist testing for COVID-19 and for transferring prescriptions. Please use the above links for more information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Texas
NACDS and the Texas Federation of Drug Stores submitted three joint letters to the House Select Committee on Statewide Health Care Costs providing extensive comments on all three issues: (1) primary drivers of increased health care costs in Texas, (2) opportunities to better coordinate how public dollars are spent on health care, and (3) identify emerging and proven delivery system improvements and sustainable financing models that could reduce the cost of health care.
Also in Texas. The Board of Pharmacy, partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Diversion Control Division, is hosting a virtual opioid symposium on both October 11 and 12, 2020. For information about speakers, program details, and registration information, visit here. The symposium offers three (3) hours (0.3 CEUs) of CE approved by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for license renewal. This program may be counted toward the requirement of prescribing and monitoring controlled substances as outlined by Board rule 295.8 for pharmacists and toward Texas-specific pharmacy laws or rules for pharmacy technicians per Board rule 297.8
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Virginia
The Department of Health (VDH) has asked NACDS to share their COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Intent form with members. Members who wish or plan to receive the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine through the VDH must fill out and submit this form. If you are planning to receive the vaccine directly from the CDC, you do not need to file the form with VDH. The letter is also available on the VDH Resources for Health Care Professionals web page. As of now, one form is required for each location, however, VDH is looking into whether they can accept a spreadsheet for multiple locations. According to VDH, the physician and physician license number fields should be filled out with the pharmacy location name and pharmacy license number.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Washington
On October 7, The DEA in coordination with HHS, held a virtual webinar titled, “Supporting Healthcare Professionals during the Pandemic.” Topics discussed included drugs of abuse and trends, COVID 19 guidance, telemedicine, updates on fraud and robberies, and an overview of DEA requirements regarding the handling of controlled substances according to Federal regulations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Wisconsin
ForwardHealth issued an update that includes information about brand medically necessary drugs and brand before generic drugs effective October 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
California
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) recently held a webinar to explain the new Medi-Cal quarter surveys to establish a Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost (MAIC) program for multi-source generic drug reimbursement. The surveys will be sent to the corporate contact for each chain, not to the pharmacy. MAIC rates will be published by December 1, 2020, and effective January 1, 2021. The meeting was recorded and the slide deck is available on Mercer’s Medi-Cal Rx Website. The webinar recording can be accessed by using the following password: h5#moJC^
Also in California. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued guidance to clarify clinical lab licensure requirements for pharmacies, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians performing COVID-19 testing under the provisions of waivers issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).
Also in California. DHCS held a Medi-Cal Rx Public Forum sharing information related to the transition of pharmacy services reimbursement from managed care to Fee-For-Service effective January 1, 2021. Notably, there is now a Med-Cal Rx website that contains a link for pharmacy providers to “register” for the Medi-Cal Rx provider portal. This portal allows for pharmacies to try out the new system and get more detailed information on training and important information going forward. To register for the provider portal, please go to the secure portal. Pharmacies should also register for the Medi-Cal Rx subscription service. More information on the forum can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Insurance Department met with NACDS to discuss the issue of pharmaceutical drug pricing in the state. The Department indicated that they also held calls with drug wholesalers, drug manufacturers, health plans, independent pharmacies, and the PBMs. No legislation proposal was discussed on the call.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Louisiana
The Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate, announced that they are convening a 30-day special session on Monday, September 28th to address the state’s budget shortfall related to low oil prices, COVID, hurricane recovery costs, and the rapidly depleting unemployment trust fund. There may also be items discussed aimed at curtailing the Governor’s emergency executive powers. View proclamation here.
Also in Louisiana. On September 23, the Department of Health provided an informational bulletin updating temporary changes in Medicaid provider policies and managed care practices in their emergency declaration for COVID-19. More information can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maryland
Maryland Medicaid has published Advisory #216 to require that pharmacies report the “Quantity Prescribed” field for dispensed Schedule II Drugs beginning September 21.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Massachusetts
NACDS joined the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans to promote childhood vaccinations. Recently Governor Charlie Baker (R) issued an executive order that all children ages 3 and up enrolled in school must have a flu vaccination before January 1, 2021. Attached is one of the communications highlighting this issue.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Michigan
The Michigan Opioids Task Force and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) have announced the details about two virtual opioids town halls. MDHHS and the Michigan Opioids Task Force will share a 2020 strategy and seek feedback from the public and host a Q-and-A about the crisis response.
Also in Michigan. The annual Michigan Medicaid Health Plan common formulary stakeholder meeting will be held virtually this year due to COVID-19. Information about how to join via Microsoft Teams can be found in this press release.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Mississippi
The Mississippi Division of Medicaid has issued a proposed rule that would amend medical assistance regulations related to a Medicaid State Plan amendment (SPA 20-0013) to allow coverage of vaccine administration by pharmacists under the Vaccines for Children Program. Comments on the proposed changes are due October 10, 2020.
Also in Mississippi. The Mississippi Division of Medicaid has issued a proposed rule that would amend regulations under Title 23, Part 214, Chapter 2, to update the participation and enrollment requirement for pharmacists providing disease management services. Comments are due September 28, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Nebraska
The Department of Health and Human Services issued a Medicaid provider bulletin reminding pharmacies that the quantity prescribed field must be completed on claims submitted on and after September 21.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New York
The New York State Department of Health held its third stakeholder meeting to provide updates on progress regarding the pharmacy carve out set to take effect April 1, 2021. During the Q and A section of the meeting, the Department stated that at this time there is no plan to reduce the fee-for-service pharmacy dispensing fee.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Ohio
The Board of Pharmacy has issued guidance on both pharmacists’ administration of the COVID-19 vaccine and childhood vaccines during the pandemic.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Tennessee
According to state law, a pharmacist providing immunizations or CLIA-waived testing services, or a pharmacy technician or other health care professional assisting with these services, must have live OSHA training on bloodborne pathogens every year or face fines. The Tennessee Pharmacists Research and Education Foundation (TPREF) is offering a webinar that meets the OSHA’s training requirements, including the live component. This webinar will provide attendees with one (1.0) contact hour of live ACPE Continuing Education. Please contact Lucy Adkins lucy@tnpharm.org for more information or click here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Virginia
The 2nd pharmacy protocol workgroup met this week to consider the third enactment clause of HB 1506 of 2020. The charge of this workgroup is to recommend further protocols to the General Assembly for legislative consideration in the 2021 session. Both NACDS and VACDS were represented on the workgroup and provided public comments before the meeting. Please see the agenda for background and details. The workgroup voted to recommend the following protocols:
- Immunizations – all CDC-recommended vaccines for adults
- Tobacco Cessation and treatment
- TB testing
- Flu test and treat
- UTI Test and Treat
- Strep Test and Treat
- HIV Prep and Pep –
- The workgroup also agreed to adopt language recommending that pharmacists be authorized to dispense certain devices – i.e. diabetic supplies
Also in Virginia. The Board of Pharmacy has adopted an emergency regulation based on the requirements for pharmacists to order and administer childhood vaccines under the PREP Act. Effective September 22, any pharmacist who administers an immunization or directs a pharmacy intern to administer an immunization under his supervision to a person aged three through eighteen years in accordance with the United States Health and Human Services declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act during the COVID-19 public health emergency shall report such immunization to and provide all information required by the Virginia Immunization Information System.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Alabama
The Alabama Medicaid Agency has issued a proposed rule that would amend regulations under AAC 560-X-16 to remove provisions that require the clinical pharmacist committee to consist of at least a long-term care pharmacist and an independent pharmacist. The rule also would allow correspondence to be directed to Medicaid’s authorized representative. Comments to the proposed rule are due October 5, 2020.
Also in Alabama, that Medicaid Agency has issued a proposed rule that would amend regulations under AAC 560-X-16 to change the current default pharmacy ingredient cost reimbursement methodology when no average acquisition cost is available from wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) +0% to WAC -4% for brand drugs and WAC +0% for generic drugs, effective January 1, 2021. Comments to the proposed rule are due October 5, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that on October 1, 2020, Magellan Health, the pharmacy claims administrator for Med-Cal will begin quarterly surveys of approximately 600 pharmacies so that they can establish a Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost (MAIC) for multisource generic drugs. According to the announcement, pharmacies must submit certain invoice information to CAMAICsurvey@mercer.com. The new MAICs will be published in pharmacy provider bulletins 30 days before the effective date of January 1, 2021. More information can be found here.
Also in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed Jason Weisz of San Diego to a 4-year term as a public member to the 13-person Board of Pharmacy.
Also in California. The Department of Public Health Immunization Branch in partnership with the state Immunization Coalition is conducting a survey of Independent Pharmacies to learn about plans for influenza vaccination services this flu season during the COVID-19 pandemic. NACDS is helping develop a different survey for chain pharmacies that will be distributed soon.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Mississippi
The Division of Medicaid has issued a proposed rule that would amend regulations under Title 23, Part 214, Chapter 2, to update the participation and enrollment requirement for pharmacists providing disease management services. Comments on the proposed rule are due September 28, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Nevada
Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) signed the Board of Pharmacy’s emergency rule authorizing trained pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations under the direct supervision of a pharmacist in response to the COVID pandemic. Efforts are also underway to ensure the quick adoption of a permanent rule approved by the Board.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oklahoma
The Health Authority promulgated three new rules, all effective on September 14.
- Final rule requiring the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) program comply with federal standards to monitor opioid prescribing and dispensing patterns, adding an automated claims review process to monitor concurrent use of opioids with benzodiazepines and/or antipsychotics, a program to monitor the use of antipsychotics by members aged 18 and younger, and a process to identify potential fraud and abuse of controlled substances.
- Final rule revising step therapy protocols for medications approved by the Drug Utilization Review Board and establish exceptions for such protocols, and establishing an appeals process for step therapy exception requests which have been denied.
- Final rule removing prescription limits for certain frequently monitored prescription and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) drugs for opioid use disorder. The rule also removes co-payments for MAT drugs, revises prescription quantity limits for products on the maintenance drug list and allows certain products to be dispensed in quantities up to a 90-day supply.
Also in Oklahoma. The Board of Pharmacy adopted two new rules effective September 11.
- Final rule correcting a statutory citation regarding requirements for pharmacists prescribing naloxone.
- Final rule updating standards for pharmacy operations, including prohibiting pharmacists from serving as a pharmacist-in-charge at more than one pharmacy at a time, adding refrigerator and freezer temperature requirements, and clarifying requirements for shipments of pharmaceuticals.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Pennsylvania
The Board of Pharmacy posted a notice extending the licensure renewal period to December 29, 2020, to allow pharmacists additional time to complete continuing education and renew their pharmacist license and authorization to administer injectables. The notice and additional information can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Texas
The Board of Pharmacy has posted a final rule that took effect on September 9, which to adopted provisions to add a $500 administrative penalty for failure to access the Prescription Monitoring Program for a patient’s information before dispensing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or carisoprodol.
Also in Texas. The Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program’s (VDP) Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board will be soliciting public comments at their October meeting on the new drug classes anticonvulsants, antihemophilic, antineoplastic (i.e., anti-cancer), antiretroviral (i.e., anti-HIV), and medications used to treat multiple sclerosis. These drug classes are not currently reviewed on the Texas Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL). All medications within these newly reviewed drug classes will be preferred and continue to be available without PDL prior authorization. More information can be found here.
Also in Texas. Effective September 21, 2020, the Health and Human Services Commission will require the “Quantity Prescribed” field (460–ET) on all pharmacy claims for Schedule II drugs. Pharmacies should refer to the payer sheet addendum for more information on how this change impacts claim processing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.