Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz (D) issued an Executive Order allowing out-of-state pharmacists to provide COVID-19 vaccinations during the peacetime emergency. Please visit the above link for more details on the Executive Order.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Mississippi
Effective December 11 the Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM) will reimburse Medicaid-enrolled pharmacy providers for COVID-19 vaccine claims billed on NCPDP D.0 pharmacy claims. Currently, the vaccine itself is being provided at no cost to providers and patients by the federal government, but DOM will still require submission of the vaccine NDC numbers on claims to ensure the appropriate administration fees are being billed for the vaccines given. Also, the Mississippi Division of Medicaid has added new procedure codes that can be used by providers to bill for COVID-19 vaccines. To learn more, read the attached notice and consider sharing it in your publications. You can also find the information online at https://medicaid.ms.gov/covid-19-vaccine-billing-guidance-for-medical-claims/.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Missouri
The Department of Commerce and Insurance issued an emergency rule authorizing technician immunization authority effective January 19, 2021, and expiring July 17, 2021. Please visit the above link for more information.
Also in Missouri. Per Governor Parson’s (R) emergency waiver, pharmacists are authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccines: (1) under a statewide standing order issued by the Department of Health and Senior Services or (2) according to a protocol with a Missouri-licensed physician. All HHS requirements apply to COVID-19 vaccines administered under the emergency waiver, including, all training and reporting requirements. More information can be found in this Board of Pharmacy’s Frequently Asked Questions Document which can be found here.
Also in Missouri, the Department of Health and Senior Services issued an emergency rule establishing a process for practitioners to obtain a waiver from electronic prescribing requirements for Schedules II, III, and IV substances beginning March 30, 2021. Please visit the link above for more information.
Lastly in Missouri. The Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs has released a new online reporting system for reports of losses, thefts, and diversions. Reports may now be submitted electronically online so a paper form does not have to be used and mailed. More information can be found at the above link.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New Jersey
This week four Administration Orders were released that authorize pharmacists, pharmacy interns and externs, as well as technicians, to administer all vaccines approved or authorized by the FDA for COVID-19, to eligible patients who are three years of age or older. The orders also cover the authorization of the administration of diphenhydramine and epinephrine, to patients who are three years of age through and including seventeen years of age and requires all licensed health care providers who are authorized to administer vaccines to register and report to the NJIIS when administering a vaccine for COVID-19. More details on the Administrative Orders can be found below.
- DCA-AO-2021-01 – Permits licensed pharmacists to order and administer, and registered pharmacy interns and pharmacy externs to administer, FDA approved COVID vaccines to patients three years of age or older. Licensed pharmacists, registered pharmacy interns, and pharmacy externs must comply with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:39-4.21 to order or administer COVID vaccines.
- DCA-AO-2021-02 – Permits pharmacy technicians to administer childhood vaccines and related emergency medications, limited to diphenhydramine and epinephrine, to children three through seventeen years of age, and FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines to patients ages three and older. Pharmacy technicians must be under the direct supervision of a supervising pharmacist authorized to administer vaccines according to N.J.A.C. 13:39-4.21.
- DCA-AO-2021-03 – Permits licensed pharmacists, registered pharmacy interns, and pharmacy externs to administer vaccines and related emergency medications, limited to diphenhydramine and epinephrine, to children three through seventeen years of age according to requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:39-4.21.
- DCA-AO-2021-04 – Requires licensed health care providers who are authorized to administer vaccines to register and report to the NJIIS when administering a vaccine for COVID-19.
All of the above orders expire with the end of the state of emergency or the public health emergency declared in Executive Order #103, whichever is later unless earlier terminated by the Director of Consumer Affairs.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Ohio
The Department of Medicaid issued an emergency rule to provide payment for the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Medicare rate. The rule was effective December 23 and expires April 23, 2021.
Also in Ohio. The Office of Vaccine Preparedness released its weekly report which also includes links to provider enrollment and other information related to the vaccine plan in Ohio. For more information, please visit the above link.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pennsylvania
The PACE Prescription Drug Program has issued a bulletin reminding providers of the process to participate in their Medication Synchronization Program. Additionally, the Program Director has requested feedback from pharmacies on how the current process could be improved to increase participation, as they are considering modifications. Please provide comments to jmccormack@nacds.org by close of business on January 18, 2021. If you would like to provide your recommendations directly, please email them to ProviderEnrollmentCorr@magellanhealth.com
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) has announced that it will cover the cost of COVID19 vaccine administration for Healthy Connections Medicaid members, including those enrolled in the family planning and COVID-19 testing limited benefit programs. Those without healthcare coverage can apply for the COVID-19 limited benefit program via the link below. Billing guidance for providers is also available here.
Also in South Carolina. The Board of Pharmacy issued a notice announcing revisions to the protocol for the administration of vaccines by pharmacists. The protocol addresses authorization, qualifications, limitations, consent, and recordkeeping and reporting. The document is dated December 10, 2020.
Lastly in South Carolina. Prisma Health is offering the COVID-19 Vaccine to all pharmacists in the state as pharmacists are considered to be in Phase 1A per South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DEHC) vaccine guidelines. If a pharmacist is not able to access the vaccine through his or her employer, he or she can reach out to COVIDVaccine@prismahealth.org to receive an invitation to register for an appointment to receive the vaccine at any of their locations. Additionally, SC DHEC has announced an update to the recipients included in Phase 1A which now includes all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. They previously differentiated between those pharmacists and technicians who administered the COVID-19 vaccine or tests versus those who conducted normal duties. Now, all are eligible to receive the vaccine in Phase 1A.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
South Dakota
The Department of Health is holding weekly calls for immunizers each Tuesday at 1 pm. For more information, please join the listserve.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Wisconsin
ForwardHealth published an update with information about pharmacy billing and reimbursement for administering the COVID-19 vaccination.
Also in Wisconsin. Forward Health issued an update with information about its mandatory prescription volume attestation program, part of its implementation of the CMS Covered Outpatient Drugs rule.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Alabama
Alabama Medicaid will allow reimbursement of a vaccine administration fee to Medicaid providers who utilize federally allocated COVID-19 vaccines.
- Payment rates for COVID-19 vaccine administration will be $28.39 to administer single-dose vaccines.
- For a COVID-19 vaccine requiring a series of two or more doses, the initial dose(s) administration payment rate will be $16.94, and $28.39 for the administration of the final dose in the series.
- These rates recognize the costs involved in administering the vaccine, including the additional resources involved with required public health reporting, conducting important outreach and patient education, and spending additional time with patients to answer any questions they may have about the vaccine.
To receive, administer, and report COVID-19 vaccines, healthcare providers must enroll in the Alabama Department of Public Health’s (ADPH) ImmPRINT COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Follow the steps in the ImmPRINT Registration Roadmap to enroll.
Also in Alabama. The Department of Public Health published a notice announcing the withdrawal of a September 30 final rule that amended regulations under AAC 420-7-2 to add tianeptine to the Schedule II list of controlled substances. The rule also removed Epidiolex® from the list of Schedule V controlled substances.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
Effective January 1, 2021, only California controlled substance prescription forms that will remain valid and acceptable by pharmacies will be those possessing a 12-character serial number and a corresponding barcode, compliant with the requirements introduced in new state law, AB 149 (Cooper, Statutes of 2019). The requirements do not affect prescriptions that are electronically transmitted from the prescriber to the pharmacy, or prescriptions for non-controlled substances. More information on the new laws can be found here.
Also in California. In response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) emergency declaration, the Board of Pharmacy extended several COVID waivers that were set to expire this month.
- Remote Processing – For this waiver, “remote processing” means the entering of an order or prescription into a computer from outside of the pharmacy. Effective through May 31, 2021, or until 30 days after the emergency declaration is lifted, whichever is sooner.
- Ratio for Pharmacists not Solely Engaged in Immunization-Related Activities – The ratio of pharmacists to intern pharmacists may increase to allow for one additional intern pharmacist for each supervising pharmacist under certain conditions. Effective through September 2, 2021, or until 30 days after the emergency declaration is lifted, whichever is sooner.
- Ratio for Pharmacists Solely Engaged in Immunization-Related Activities – The ratio of pharmacists to intern pharmacists may increase to allow for two additional intern pharmacists for each supervising pharmacist under certain conditions. Effective through September 2, 2021, or until 30 days after the emergency declaration is lifted, whichever is sooner.
- Inventory Reconciliation Report of Controlled Substances – A pharmacy must complete the required inventory reconciliation report at least once every six months rather than every three months if determined to be necessary by the pharmacist-in-charge or professional director to ensure continuity of direct patient care activities that would otherwise be impacted. Effective through March 13, 2021, or until 30 days after the emergency declaration is lifted, whichever is sooner.
Also in California. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) established new COVID-19 testing codes. More information can be found on the New COVID-19 Testing Codes Established website.
Lastly in California. The Board of Pharmacy’s waiver request to allow pharmacists to independently initiate and administer FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccinations was approved on December 11 by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) (approved waiver) bridging the gap until the new law pharmacies supported is implemented on January 1, 2021. The new law, AB 1710, will allow a licensed pharmacist to independently initiate and administer COVID-19 vaccines approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the same circumstances that vaccines listed on the routine immunization schedule may initiate and administered.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Colorado
The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is hosting a virtual stakeholder meeting on December 22, 2020, to gather feedback on a legislative proposal that grants regulatory boards and programs within DPO or the Division greater flexibility to respond to similar, widespread disaster emergencies in the future. Click here to register.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Florida
The Agency for Health Care Administration published an emergency rule to adopt regulations under 59AER20-14 to require assisted living facilities to allow representatives of the Department of Health or cooperating pharmacies to enter the facility to administer to staff and resident’s voluntary coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines. Also, an emergency rule of the Agency for Health Care Administration adopts regulations under 59AER20-15 to require nursing home facilities to allow representatives of the Department of Health or cooperating pharmacies to enter the facility to administer to staff and resident’s voluntary coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines. The rule was effective December 1 and expires March 1, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Kentucky
The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) is transitioning to a Single Preferred Drug List (PDL) for Kentucky Medicaid Fee-For-Service (FFS) and Managed Care and have published a provider notice detailing the changes. Beginning on January 1, 2021, all Managed Care Organizations (MCO) will follow the FFS (aka Single) PDL maintained by Magellan Rx Management. The Single PDL will be available for viewing on the Kentucky Medicaid Magellan Rx Portal.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
On January 20, 2021, Louisiana Register, the Board of Pharmacy will publish new rules effective immediately that will add two new drugs to the Prescription Monitoring Program list of Drugs of Concern.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Missouri
MOHealthNet has published a new Bulletin with information on COVID-19 vaccination billing. Please visit the above web link for more information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Nebraska
The Division of Medicaid & Long-Term Care will host a call for all providers on Tuesday, December 22 at 1 p.m. Central to discuss a variety of topics related to Medicaid’s ongoing COVID-19 response. Please visit the above web link for more information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Ohio
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has published a weekly update on the COVID vaccine. The document includes links to updated guidance published by ODH, the CDC, and FDA. It also includes FAQs on billing procedures for the COVID vaccine. Please visit the above weblinks for additional information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oregon
The Oregon Board of Pharmacy adopted the Interpretive Labeling rules implementing Senate Bill 698, noting the Board’s ability to use its discretion in enforcement and asking Board staff to prepare clarification to the rules with regard to the use of informational inserts for lengthy prescription instructions. NACDS is requesting specific clarification from the Board and will provide updates as they become available.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) recently updated the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. Please click here to view the updated plan. The Department also released its guidance for Phase 1a of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. Click here to view the guidance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
At their November meeting, the Board of Pharmacy increased the pharmacy-to-pharmacy technician ratio for Class A retail pharmacies from 1:4 to 1:6, effective December 10, 2020. More information can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Alabama
According to the Alabama Public Health Department, to receive, administer, and report the COVID-19 vaccine, healthcare providers must enroll in the ImmPRINT COVID-19 Vaccination Program. For more information on enrollment and other vaccine resources for providers, visit the Vaccination Provider Support website at go.usa.gov/x7M53
Also in Alabama. The Department of Public Health published a proposed rule that would amend regulations under AAC 420-7-2 to add tianeptine to the Schedule II list of controlled substances. The rule would replace a September 30, 2020, final rule that is being withdrawn concurrently. Comments are due January 4, 2021.
Also in Alabama. The Board of Pharmacy published a proposed rule that would amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to further specify the standards and requirements for approval of hospital and nonhospital pharmacy remote or off-site order entry, where prescriptions are filled by remotely accessing another pharmacy’s electronic database from outside the pharmacy. A hearing is scheduled for February 17, 2021, in Birmingham. Comments are due February 6, 2021.
Also in Alabama. The Medicaid Agency announced a notice of a proposed amendment to the state plan for medical assistance to allow for an update to the pharmacy Value/Outcomes-Based Agreement template to further facilitate the collection of supplemental rebates in addition to the federal drug rebate provided for in Title XIX. Comments are requested, but a due date is not specified.
Lastly in 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 January 31, 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 which can be accessed at https://medicaid.alabama.gov/news_detail.aspx?ID=13729.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Connecticut
Governor Ned Lamont (D) issued an Executive Order this week authorizing pharmacists to administer COVID and flu vaccinations to all ages effective immediately. More information on this Executive Order can be found here.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Florida
The Board of Pharmacy announced a notice of changes to a July 27, 2020, proposed rule that would amend regulations under FAC 64B16-30 to clarify disciplinary guidelines, the range of penalties, and aggravating and mitigating circumstances for pharmacy professionals. The changes reduce the penalty for out-of-state telehealth providers for several infractions, removes redundant language, and make editorial revisions.
Also in Florida. The Agency for Health Care Administration published two emergency rules to adopt regulations under 59AER20-14 and 59AER20-15 to require assisted living facilities to allow representatives of the Department of Health or cooperating pharmacies to enter the facility to administer to staff and residents voluntary COVID vaccines. Both rules were effective December 1 and expire March 1, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Illinois
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services issued a provider notice with an update about rate determination and claims processing of new COVID-19 laboratory test codes. Please visit the above link for more information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.