In The States – Page 123 – Weekly news about states

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|

New York

On March 21, NACDS joined the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York (PSSNY) in a rally in support of the Medicaid transition to fee-for-service. Beginning April 1, all Medicaid members enrolled in Mainstream Managed Care will receive their prescription drugs through NYRx, the Medicaid Pharmacy Program.

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

Michael Silber2023-03-24T10:03:17-04:00March 24, 2023|New York|

Oregon

SB 1085, legislation permitting pharmacists to test and treat for certain health conditions, requiring payment for pharmacist services and allowing pharmacists to delegate to a pharmacy technician or intern to perform testing under the pharmacist’s supervision, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Health Care on March 29. The health conditions include influenza; lice; COVID-19 or other respiratory conditions, diseases, or illnesses; skin conditions, such as athlete’s foot or ringworm; streptococcus; urinary tract infection; other health conditions identified by the Oregon Health Authority as a public health emergency or other health conditions as identified by the Board of pharmacy by rule for which a patient may be tested.

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy is seeking subject matter experts to serve on a workgroup concerning Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDTMs) and Clinical Pharmacy Agreement (CPAs). The purpose of this workgroup is to gather information related to CDTMs and CPAs and provide input for rules to ensure patient health, safety and welfare. It is anticipated that the workgroup will provide input on development of updated rules and provide the Board with recommendations, insights, and input on proposed rules. See additional information below. If you would like to serve on the CDTM/CPA workgroup, please complete the online form by Friday April 7, 2023. Those that are selected will receive confirmation by Friday April 14, 2023.

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

Michael Silber2023-06-22T11:07:30-04:00March 24, 2023|Oregon|

South Dakota

On March 23, Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed HB 1135, PBM legislation including requirements for PBM licensure, prohibiting retroactive fees except in certain situations and the collection of renumeration fees and adding criteria for drugs to be placed on the MAC list.

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

Michael Silber2023-03-24T09:54:26-04:00March 24, 2023|South Dakota|