Missouri
In the wake of COVID-19, Missouri’s MOHealthNet shared several temporary pharmacy provisions in this presentation. This information is in addition to the March 13 Pharmacy Early Refill bulletin. The Board of Pharmacy has issued this special bulletin. The Missouri Pharmacy Association announced its April 1 Legislative Day is canceled.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Nebraska
The Nebraska Medicaid program announced it will allow temporary one-time early refills. For more information, please see the recent bulletin. As of March 16th, the Unicameral is adjourned until reconevened by the Speaker.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
South Dakota
South Dakota Medicaid reminds providers that retail pharmacy calls are handled by OptumRx and are not impacted by state office closures.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Wisconsin
Below is information taken from a recent Wisconsin ForwardHealth update in response to COVID-19:
- Effective March 20, 2020, Forward Health is allowing providers to override the overuse precaution (early refill or ER) prospective drug utilization review (DUR) alert for all drugs, except for controlled substances that are currently listed on the Drug Authorization and Policy Override Center Early Refill Drugs list.
- Providers are encouraged to dispense drugs in a three-month supply when possible, using the three-month supply drugs table.
- In emergency situations, pharmacy providers are able to dispense a 14-day emergency supply of a drug when a member receives a prescription for a covered drug with prior authorization restrictions. Drugs dispensed in emergency situations do not require prior authorization. Providers should review the Expedited Emergency Supply Request Drugs table for additional information.
- Providers and members are also encouraged to consider mail delivery services for prescription drugs. Wisconsin Medicaid-enrolled pharmacies are permitted to dispense and deliver prescription or over-the-counter medication to members via the mail when program requirements for coverage are met.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
California
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services is having a hearing on March 23, 2020 to consider a State Budget request requiring the Medi-Cal program to cover continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries with diabetes. Last session, similar legislation passed but was vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Colorado
March 30, 2020 is the deadline for all technicians to be certified with the Board of Pharmacy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Florida
H.B. 389, sponsored by Representative Tyler Sirois (R) in the House and Senator Travis Hutson (R) in the Senate, was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis (R) on March 11, 2020 and becomes effective July 1, 20202. This measure authorizes pharmacists to test for and treat influenza and streptococcus. This bill also authorizes collaborative pharmacy practice agreements between pharmacist and physician in certain circumstances; requires agreements to be appropriate to training & scope of practice of pharmacist and physician; requires maintenance of records & specified pharmacists to report certain diseases of public health significance to DOH and provides requirements for written protocol between pharmacist and supervising physician.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Illinois
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted an updated Medicaid Preferred Drug List.
Also in Illinois… The Illinois Pharmacist Association and the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists announced Pharmacy Legislative Day will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 in Springfield. Click here for more information and to register.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Iowa
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R ) announced the reappointment of two members of the Board of Pharmacy: Brett Barker, PharmD of NACDS member company NuCara Pharmacy, and Gayle Mayer, RPh.
Also in Iowa… The Iowa Department of Human Services announced the delay of the Medicaid pharmacy changes outlined in Informational Letter No. 2086-MC-FFS scheduled to be effective March 18.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Kentucky
Gov. Andy Beshear signed an Executive Order on March 10 giving emergency authority to pharmacists in reaction to the COVID-19, authorizing pharmacists in the Commonwealth to: dispense emergency refills of up to a thirty (30) day supply of any non-controlled medication for residents of any county of the Commonwealth; temporarily operate a pharmacy in an area not designated by permit; dispense drugs as needed to treat COVID-19 pursuant to protocols established by the CDC or the NIH or determined to be appropriate by the commissioner of public health or his designee to respond to the circumstances causing the emergency. The order expires on April 8, 2020 but may be renewed.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
Working with our in-state partner the Louisiana Retailers Association, NACDS was successful in identifying strong bill sponsors to pre-file two pharmacy bills prior to the start of the 60-day session which began on March 9th.
- SB 296 by Sen. Regina Ashley Barrow would allow pharmacists to administer vaccines other than the influenza vaccine to individuals younger than 17 years without a prescription; and allow pharmacists to administer the influenza vaccine to individuals younger than 7 years without a prescription, consistent with pharmacists’ ability to provide such vaccines to older patient populations.
- HB 459 by Rep. Joseph Stagni will would allow pharmacists to be reimbursed by commercial health plans for patient-care services within the pharmacist’s scope of practice
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maryland
HB 512, legislation which would require controlled substances to be electronically prescribed, has passed the Maryland House of Delegates unanimously and been sent the Senate for consideration in advance of the crossover deadline. Sponsored by Del. Erik Barron (D), the bill is a joint initiative of NACDS and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores (MACDS). Both organizations testified at hearings and have been on the ground advocating to advance this measure.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Human Services will host a webinar on Friday, March 20, 2020 at 1 pm Central to share information about the upcoming cost of dispensing survey. The survey will go out in April.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Missouri
The Missouri Pharmacy Association (MPA), the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and the University of Missouri Kansas City will offer training and resources to pharmacists in pain management guidelines and de-escalating therapy/tapering at a session held at the MPA Legislative Day on April 1, 2020. Click here for more information and to register for this free event.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New Mexico
In an successful effort lead by the New Mexico Pharmacists Association and supported by the School of Pharmacy, pharmacy students, NACDS, state retailers, payors, and other pharmacy groups, HB 42 by Rep. Deborah Armstrong, the Pharmaceutical Services Reimbursement Parity bill which will require pharmacists to be paid by for patient care services within the pharmacist’s scope of practice, was signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) on March 6.
Also in New Mexico… Also approved was SM 19 sponsored by Sen. Steven Neville. It directs the Health and Human Services Department to conduct a pharmacy cost of dispensing study.
Also in New Mexico… On March 4, Gov. Grisham signed SB 1, the Wholesale Drug Importation Act, and HB 292 by Rep. Cadena that caps copays and out-of-pocket expenses for insulin at $25 per prescription for a 30-day supply.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Ohio
The Dept. of Health has issued a COVID-19 Checklist for Pharmacies with recommendations from Director Amy Acton, MD, MPH. For more information, visit the website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Texas
Citing coronavirus concerns, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick instructed Senate Chairs of Interim Study Committees on prescription drug costs to postpone hearings for a few weeks as Texas continues on-going efforts to contain and mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
Also in Texas… NACDS and our in-state partner, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores, accompanied chain pharmacists Ken Breda with Brookshire Brothers and Michelle Beall with Brookshire Grocery in district meetings with East Texas legislators to discuss our priority regulatory and legislative issues. Connecting pharmacists with their hometown legislator is essential to advancing our pharmacy healthcare agenda.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Virginia
NACDS was on the ground in Richmond again this past weekend to help shepherd the final passage of the conference committee substitute report on HB 1506, just short of the Legislature’s adjournment. HB 1506 was sponsored by Del. Mark Sickles (D) at the request of the Virginia Pharmacists Association (VPhA). The bill would allow pharmacists to provide a wide range of services under statewide protocol including: contraceptives, epinephrine, prenatal vitamins, dietary fluoride supplements and prescription medications when the copay is less than the over the counter version of the same drug. The protocols must be developed by the Board of Pharmacy (BOP) in collaboration with the Board of Medicine (BOM) and Department of Health (VDH) by Nov. 1, 2020. Additionally, the bill requires the Boards and VDH to convene a workgroup to make recommendations on further statewide protocols allowing pharmacists to perform CLIA-waived tests; administer vaccines; and provide tobacco cessation, tuberculosis and HIV therapy; as well as over the counter drugs in certain cases. The workgroup recommendations are also due Nov. 1, 2020. The bill now goes to Gov. Ralph Northam (D) for consideration. NACDS will continue to work with VPhA and the administration to advocate for Gov. Northam’s signature into law.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
West Virginia
With NACDS support, legislation that will require health plans to provide payment for pharmacists’ services has passed both chambers in West Virginia and is on its way to Gov. Jim Justice (R) for signature. SB 787, sponsored by Sen. Erik Tarr (R), requires that any health plan issued, amended, or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2021 cover any service provided by pharmacists’ within their scope of practice and requires health plans to have an adequate number of pharmacists in network for services beyond the plans’ drug benefit.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Alabama
Effective April 1, 2020, the Alabama Medicaid Agency will implement hard edits on cumulative daily MME claims exceeding 150 MME/day. A phase-in period for claims exceeding 120 MME/day, but less than 150 MME/day, will also be implemented. To view the full ALERT, click here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed two new members to the Board of Pharmacy: Vons pharmacist Seung Oh and Safeway pharmacist Jignesh “Jig” Patel. Rotating off the Board were Allen Schaad and public member Valerie Muñoz.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Colorado
Colorado’s bill, HB20-1061, legislation that would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense PEP and PrEP medications, was amended again. The bill is expected to pass the House this week and to be referred to the Senate for further consideration.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Louisiana
NACDS and the Louisiana Retailers Association succeeded in finding legislators to pre-file legislation advancing the practice of pharmacy. Rep. Regina Ashford Barrow (D) introduced a broad immunization expansion bill, SB 296. and Rep. Joseph Stagni (R), Chiropractic Physician, filed HB 459, legislation that mandates payment for healthcare services performed by pharmacists was modeled after the 2019 Texas law. The Legislature convenes at Noon on Monday, March 9.
Also in Louisiana… The Department of Health recently posted these provider notices:
https://www.lamedicaid.com/provweb1/Pharmacy/March_Implementations_2-28-20.pdf
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Michigan
The House Health Policy Committee will hear SB 248 and SB 254, legislation to require electronic prescribing, on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 10:30 am.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Missouri
The Missouri Pharmacy Association’s Legislative Day will be held on April 1, 2020 in Jefferson City. For more information and to register, please visit the MPA Legislative Day web page.
Also in Missouri… In its Winter newsletter, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs reminds readers that electronic prescribing passwords cannot be shared.
Also in Missouri… The Board of Pharmacy’s next “Lunch with the Chief Inspector” webinar will be held on March 26, 2020 at 12 pm Central. The webinar will feature an update from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Click here for more information and to register.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.