In The States – Page 125 – Weekly news about states

Tennessee

TennCare Prescribing Providers, please see Information and Updates to the TennCare Preferred Drug List (PDL) due to Amoxicillin shortages. We encourage you to review this information thoroughly and contact the OptumRx Pharmacy Supports Center at 866-434-5520 or tnrxeducation@optum.com should you have questions.

Also in Tennessee, TennCare has established a plan for unwinding from the Public Health Emergency. In its first phase, TennCare seeks partnership from healthcare providers to encourage TennCare patients to update their contact information and register for TennCare Connect. Shareable resources are available on the website.

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

Michael Silber2022-12-16T10:21:47-05:00December 16, 2022|Tennessee|

Utah

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for its December 20 meeting.

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

Michael Silber2022-12-16T10:20:42-05:00December 16, 2022|Utah|

Vermont

The Department of Vermont Health Access has published updates to the Preferred Drug List (PDL) effective January 1, 2023.

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

Michael Silber2022-12-16T10:19:48-05:00December 16, 2022|Vermont|

Wisconsin

The Department of Safety and Professional Services announced a new LicensE Public Application Status Lookup toll that makes it easier for employers to track the application status of current and future employees.

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

Michael Silber2022-12-16T10:19:21-05:00December 16, 2022|Wisconsin|

Alabama

On December 13, join the Alabama Pharmacy Association’s (APA’s) Year-End Continuing Education Webinar from 6:00-8:00 p.m. (CST) and earn two hours of live credit. Sessions will include “Pharmacy Law” with Stephen Brown, JD, PharmD, Assistant Professor, Samford-McWhorter, and “2023 Legislative Session Primer” with Bobby Giles, RPh, APA Government Affairs Director. Register on the APA website.

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

Michael Silber2022-12-09T11:35:49-05:00December 9, 2022|Alabama|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy adopted the following changes to proposed rules (Regulation project amending sections 12 AAC 52.020 through 12 AAC 52.990). These regulations will take effect on December 28.

Pharmacists

Removal of the transcript requirement

Delegation of examination eligibility approval to the NABP

Authorizes a pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) to serve as a PIC for more than one pharmacy upon a written request to the board

Allows the official License Transfer Application to also serve as a license verification from the reciprocating state

Removes requirement to submit separate verifications of licensure for reciprocity applicants

Clarifies patient counseling requirements

Interns

Expands the criteria to qualify for an internship license by recognizing recent graduates

Extends the duration of the license from two years to five years

Replaces the 1,500 hours education requirement for pharmacist licensure with standardized language

Removes the affidavit of moral character requirement

Technicians

Clarifies pharmacy technician duties

Removes language relating to on-the-job training for the preparation of sterile pharmaceuticals

Pharmacies

Replaces the requirement for pharmacies located outside of the state to submit a certified true copy of the home jurisdiction license with a simple copy

Replaces the inspection report requirement with an attestation that an inspection will be completed

Facilities

Removes the fingerprint and resume requirements for wholesale drug distributors, outsourcing facilities and third-party logistics providers

For wholesale drug distributors, requires a copy of the home jurisdiction license only if the state requires licensure as a wholesale drug distributor

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)

Adopts by reference the PDMP data dispenser submission guide

Recognizes 3rd party reporting vendors

Defines “appropriate identifier” as the provider’s/pharmacist’s license number

Clarifies that a provider/pharmacist must submit a zero report when no scheduled II – IV controlled substances are dispensed

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

Michael Silber2022-12-09T11:34:53-05:00December 9, 2022|Alaska|

California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the delay in the planned resumption of retroactive adjustments and recoupment activity in “Recommencement of Pharmacy Retroactive Claim Adjustments: Status Update”. Also note the MAIC notice regarding rates effective January 1, 2023 in “Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost 30-Day Pharmacy Provider Notice”.

Recommencement of Pharmacy Retroactive Claim Adjustments: Status Update (December 8)
Medical Supplies Update: Updates to Diabetic Testing Supplies (December 5)
Monkeypox Vaccine as a Medi-Cal Pharmacy Benefit (December 2)
30-Day Countdown – Cal MediConnect Transition to Medicare Medi-Cal Plans (December 2)
Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for November 18-December 1 (December 2)
Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin (December 1)
Changes to Contract Drugs List (CDL) (December 1)
Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (December 1)
Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost 30-Day Pharmacy Provider Notice (December 1)
Now Available: Appendix H – List of Physician Administered Drugs with Reject Code 816 (December 1)
NCPDP Reject Code 80 and Diagnosis Documentation of Code 1 Restriction: Status Update (November 30)
Tabloid 40 mg Update (November 21)
Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for November 11-17 (November 18)

Also in California, Medi-Cal posted the following: 

Senior Care Action Network (SCAN) Health Plan Expansion (December 7)
CalAIM Mandatory Managed Care Enrollment Transition Phase II (December 7)
CMC [Cal MediConnect] Plans No Longer Covered in CCI [Coordinated Care Initiative] Counties (December 5)
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of California no Longer a Medi-Cal MCP [Managed Care Plan] in San Diego County (December 1)
January 2023 Medi-Cal Provider Training Webinars (November 30)

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and meeting materials for its meeting scheduled for December 14. Please note the discussion and consideration of statutory proposals to establish a requirement for reporting medication errors to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and related to working conditions (see Attachment 2).

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

Michael Silber2022-12-09T11:34:00-05:00December 9, 2022|California|

Colorado

When the Public Health Emergency (PHE) that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared in January of 2020 in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 ends, everyone enrolled in Health First Colorado (Medicaid) was guaranteed to keep their health coverage during the PHE. However, the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) will take 12 months (14 months including noticing) to complete the renewal process for each of the approximately 1.6 million people currently enrolled. Medicaid members need to pay attention to renewal notices and fill out the necessary forms to make sure they keep their Health First Colorado and CHP+ coverage, if they are still eligible.

Also in Colorado, on December 5, the HCPF sent the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) an official proposal to import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada.

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

Michael Silber2022-12-09T11:32:47-05:00December 9, 2022|Colorado|

Delaware

The Office of Controlled Substances announced the 2023 meeting schedule for the Controlled Substance Advisory Committee. Meetings will be held at 9:00 a.m. on January 25, April 26, July 26 and October 25.

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

Michael Silber2022-12-09T11:32:10-05:00December 9, 2022|Delaware|