Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Health’s Medical Director of the Office of Behavioral Health, Dr. James Hussey, renewed the Naloxone Standing Order for calendar year 2021. More information can be found here.
Also in Louisiana. Effective December 23, 2020, the Louisiana Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) announced that they are paying an administration fee of $15.92 for the first dose and $26.68 for the second dose for the COVID-19 vaccines. More information can be found here.
Lastly in Louisiana. The Board of Pharmacy is soliciting stakeholder comments and will hold a public hearing on February 25, 2021h on two rules of interest to pharmacies.
- Proposed rule would increase the amount of medication that may be dispensed under an emergency prescription to a 90-day supply. The rule also would provide for special permitting of pharmacists licensed outside the state to allow participation in disaster relief.
- Proposed rule to clarify standards for pharmacists, pharmacies, and prescriptions and medication administration, removing outdated minimum specifications for prescription departments, extending the time for the reporting changes in the pharmacist-in-charge, and specifying that board-credentialed individuals must not be made to practice for longer than six hours without a rest break. The rule also would provide for the disposal of hard copy prescription records once stored in the electronic recordkeeping system, update the application process for pharmacy permits, remove minimum specifications for prescription departments in telepharmacy dispensing sites, and extend the quantity of medication that may be dispensed under an emergency refill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Mississippi
The Department of Insurance posted a notice to announce Bulletin 2021-02 to require all health insurers to cover the administration of coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccinations and forego any cost-sharing such as copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Nevada
The Board of Pharmacy issued a final rule effective December 29 revising the standards for electronic transmission of prescriptions. The rule adds provisions on exemption certificates, defines “technologic or electronic failure,” and removes references to the transmission of controlled substance prescriptions via fax.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Mexico
The Board of Pharmacy issued a final rule effective December 15 allowing the transfer of an original unfilled noncontrolled substance prescription and prescription adaptation permitting changes to quantity and dosage. The rule also requires the electronic prescribing of controlled substances.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Ohio
As of January 17, pharmacists can enroll as providers in Ohio and obtain a Medicaid ID number for billing purposes. The final rule on payment for certain pharmacy-based services can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pennsylvania
Gov. Wolf (D) has granted a waiver to broaden eligible supervisors of pharmacy interns administering COVID–19 vaccines to include other licensed and trained healthcare professionals whose current scope of practice allows them to immunize. Specifically, appropriate supervisors include other licensed healthcare professionals who are trained in the administration of immunizations and emergency care of patients. The waiver applies solely to COVID-19 vaccines and shall be valid for the duration of the Governor’s disaster emergency declaration plus an additional 90 days thereafter unless terminated sooner.
Also in Pennsylvania. At NACDS’ request, a State Interagency call was held with staff from the Pennsylvania Medicaid, and the Departments of Insurance, State, and Health to discuss barriers pharmacies are experiencing in billing for administration fees for COVID-19 vaccines. As a result, Medicaid verbally announced a modification of current guidance for billing of COVID-19 vaccines by pharmacies. For Fee For Service, claims must still be processed on the medical side, however, they are now accepting pharmacist NPIs in the ordering provider field. Additionally, Medicaid stated that all eight MCOs are billing through the patient’s pharmacy benefit and will accept the pharmacist NPI in the prescriber ID field. If the claim is rejected because the NPI is not on file, the NCPDP override code 42 can be used (SCC=42).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Virginia
HB 2079, sponsored by Del. Sam Rasoul (D) has passed the House. The bill would allow pharmacists to prescribe HIV Pep and PreP treatment; CDC immunizations to adults; tuberculin purified protein derivative for tuberculosis testing; and drugs, devices, controlled paraphernalia, and other supplies and equipment available over-the-counter, covered by the patient’s health carrier when the patient’s out-of-pocket cost is lower than the out-of-pocket cost to purchase the over-the-counter equivalent. A joint workgroup of the Boards of Pharmacy and Medicine would be charged with developing protocols for each. NACDS filed a letter of support for the bill which is an extension of legislation we were instrumental in passing in 2020 that allowed pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives and offer other therapies. The bill now goes to the Senate.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Alabama
The Board of Pharmacy has published a proposed rule to amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to clarify the penalty for late payment of the annual permit fee for manufacturers, wholesale drug distributors, private label distributors, repackagers, third-party logistics providers, outsourcers, and reverse distributors. A hearing is scheduled for March 17, 2021, in Birmingham. Comments are due March 6, 2021.
Also in Alabama. All previously published expiration dates related to the COVID-19 emergency have once again been extended by the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid). The new expiration date is the earlier of February 28, 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 at the following website: https://medicaid.alabama.gov/news_detail.aspx?ID=13729.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
The Board of Pharmacy voted to pursue legislation in 2021-22 to make the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) temporary waiver allowing pharmacists to order and administer CLIA-waived tests for COVID and influenza permanent.
Also in California. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) continues to make significant progress and movement toward a full assumption of operations of all pharmacy services on April 1, 2021, to Medi-Cal Rx.
- To facilitate the transition for Medi-Cal pharmacy providers, DHCS will be transferring previously established Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) account information from the existing Medi-Cal fee-for-service (FFS) Fiscal Intermediary to Medi-Cal Rx. For those pharmacy providers that do not wish to have their EFT account information transferred over to Medi-Cal Rx for use after April 1, 2021, assumption of operations, an option to “opt-out” is available. Registered users who wish to provide new or modified EFT account information to Medi-Cal Rx for use after the Medi-Cal Rx assumption of operations may do so at the following link: https://medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov/.
- The Medi-Cal Rx website will be fully operational by April 1, 2021. DHCS encourages Medi-Cal providers to sign up for the Medi-Cal Rx Subscription Service (MCRxSS) so that interested parties can receive Medi-Cal Rx updates.
Also in California. Pharmacies can submit batch and hard copy claims for COVID-19 vaccine administration. More information can be found about claims submission can be found here.
Also in California. In 2019, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) had temporarily suspended retroactive pharmacy claim adjustments. DHCS will resume retroactive pharmacy claim adjustments beginning in February of 2021. Refer to Frequently Asked Questions on the Medi-Cal Website for additional information.
Also in California. In response to members’ requests, NACDS submitted a joint letter with the California Retailers Association to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency urging them to remove the Vaccines-for-Children enrollment barrier so citizens can receive COVID vaccines at their local convenient community pharmacies.
Also in California. The Department of Managed Care provided notice and guidance on Covid-19 vaccine coverage and administration for the Medi-Cal managed care program. Please visit the above link for more information.
Also in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) issued an Executive Order extending liability protections for healthcare providers during state and local emergencies to healthcare providers participating in the state’s vaccine administration program. The Order applies to both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. More information can be found here.
Also in California. The DHCS issued guidance reminding Medi-Cal providers that they are prohibited from illegally discriminating against Medi-Cal members. Also, in the context of the COVID-19 PHE, providers are prohibited from illegally discriminating against Medi-Cal members in determining how to allocate scarce resources for the treatment of COVID-19. DHCS’ Office of Civil Rights has an established discrimination complaint process for Medi-Cal consumers to file grievances of alleged discrimination. More information is available on the DHCS website.
Lastly, in California. The DHCS held a webinar to provide an overview of the relaunch of the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative. CalAIM builds upon prior successes in health care delivery and proposes to provide more services and supports for patients with complex needs. Key goals of CalAIM include promoting whole-person care, reducing program complexity, and modernizing systems. For more information, please visit the CalAIM webpage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Colorado
Gov. Jared Polis (D) announced that the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) is seeking multiple vendors to bid by April 26, 2021, for the State’s Canadian Drug Importation Program. More information is available on the Colorado Vendor Self Service (ColoradoVSS) website. The Program website has been updated to include an Importation Fact Sheet For Wholesalers and FAQs.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Louisiana
The Board of Pharmacy’s Regulation Review Committee met virtually on January 26 to discuss pharmacists’ expanding scope of practice. Last Fall during the special session, the Legislature approved Senate Resolution 39 by Sen. Regina Barrow (D) directing the Board of Pharmacy to make recommendations relative to pharmacists’ testing, screening, and treatment of certain health conditions. The committee approved recommending modernizing the collaborative practice agreements and limited prescriptive authority using Oregon as the model for consideration by the full Board at their February 24, 2021 meeting. Draft language can be found at the links below.
- Regulatory Proposal 2021-A ~ Collaborative Practice
- Legislative Proposal 2021-C ~ Collaborative Practice
- Legislative Proposal 2021-D ~ Limited Prescriptive Authority
Also in Louisiana. The Department of Health (LDH) is reaching out to community pharmacies to encourage future partnership opportunities with pharmacies to better manage chronic disease and prevention. Click here for the PowerPoint Presentation. Contact LDH’s Marie Darr at marie.darr@la.gov for more information.
Also in Louisiana. Although the Prescription Monitoring Program Advisory Council’s January in-person quarterly meeting was canceled due to COVID, the Board of Pharmacy staff did provide NACDS and the other council members with the report Please click here for more information.
Lastly in Louisiana. LDH continues to add more information to its COVID-19 dashboard. More information and updates can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maryland
The Department of Health issued an advisory stating that effective February 1, 2021, the Fee-For-Service Professional Dispensing Fee will increase from $10.49 to $10.67, per findings of the most recent Cost of Dispensing Study.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Massachusetts
Governor Charlie Baker (R) announced the rollout of pharmacies providing COVID vaccination. Additionally, MassHealth has updated the current rates for the administration of vaccines to $33.88 for the first dose and $56.78 for the second dose. Please click here for more information.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Michigan
Mark Glasper has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer for the Michigan Pharmacists Association. He formerly served as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association. Please see the press release to learn more.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Missouri
The Board of Pharmacy will host its next Lunch with the Chief Inspector series on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at noon CST and will cover regulations currently in process. Please register here.
Also in Missouri. MOHealthNet has issued several bulletins outlining changes to pharmacy reimbursement. In one bulletin, MOHealthNet announced changes to the professional dispensing fee and a new policy of one dispensing fee every 25 days, effective February 1, 2021. MOHealthNet also published a new provider manual in which they added a definition for Usual and Customary (pages 162-163). NACDS does not have a record of such a definition previously in Missouri. NACDS has requested feedback to be submitted to Joel Kurzman by COB Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Nevada
The Board of Pharmacy adopted a final rule revising standards for electronic transmission of prescriptions. The rule adds provisions on exemption certificates, defines “technologic or electronic failure,” and removes references to the transmission of controlled substance prescriptions via fax.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Mexico
The Department of Health provided detailed guidance to pharmacies on receiving, handling, and administering vaccines and is encouraging all New Mexico pharmacies to be enrolled as state providers regardless of participation in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. To apply please click here. Questions may be submitted to COVID.Vaccines@state.nm.us.
Also in New Mexico. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) requested community pharmacies display this poster which instructs the public how to sign up for COVID-19 vaccines.
Lastly in New Mexico. The Legislature convened its 60-day session on January 19 with plans to keep the Capitol closed to the public and operate committee hearings virtually. NACDS will continue to monitor activities in New Mexico and update members accordingly.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
This week the proposed rule on the expansion of the technician ratio in a community setting was published in the State Register. As a reminder earlier this year Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) issued an executive order expanding the pharmacy technician ratio to 4 to 1. This rule will make that executive order permanent.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Ohio
The Department of Health (ODH) has issued Updated Provider Guidance on Phase 1B of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution. The update includes new information on specifics regarding those who have an intellectual or developmental disability AND severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical conditions; information on employees of K-12 schools; details as to who will be offering vaccinations for eligible populations; directions for vaccination providers on how to update information in the online vaccine provider directory; important instructions on the handling and storing Pfizer vaccine and notice that ODH will send notifications to enrolled providers about vaccine allocations on Tuesday or Wednesday of each week. Please direct questions or issues to COVIDVACCINE@odh.ohio.gov. You also may visit the ODH COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Information Training page for additional information and resources.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oklahoma
The Board of Pharmacy (OSBP) is transitioning to a system where all new licenses and license renewals must be paid for through our online store on the OSBP website. Beginning July 1, 2021, the OSBP will only accept credit card payments (Mastercard or Visa) or Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT). Payments can be made at the following website. https://pay.apps.ok.gov/OSBP/payments/
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) announced that he is nominating Alison Beam to be the next Secretary of Health, with the departure of Dr. Rachel Levine to work in the Biden Administration. Prior to her nomination as the Secretary of Health, Ms. Beam served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Tom Wolf. She also previously served as the Chief of Staff to the Insurance Commissioner. In that capacity, Alison guided interactions with regulators, legislators, and national trade associations and developed and implemented internal response strategies.
Also in Pennsylvania. With Sec. Levine’s departure, Pennsylvania Acting Physician General Wendy Braund has issued an updated standing order for Naloxone for the general public, effective January 23. Please visit the above link for more information.
Lastly in Pennsylvania. Following the receipt of a letter NACDS cosigned with the PA Pharmacy Coalition, the Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a revised Medical Assistance Bulletin announcing they will pay the Medicare rate for the COVID-19 administration fees retroactive to December 1. Claims do not need to be resubmitted. The Bulletin also clarified that the pharmacy NPI should be in the “billing and rendering provider” field; however, they still require an MA-enrolled prescriber’s NPI in the “referring prescriber” field. Additionally, they’ve added CPT codes for the future AstraZeneca vaccine.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
In January, the South Carolina Enterprise Information System (SCEIS) will begin issuing 1099 forms to South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid providers. These forms will be for the calendar year 2020. In July 2019, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) transitioned the payment of Medicaid claims to the State of South Carolina’s consolidated accounting system, SCEIS. SCEIS requires payments to be issued to a single bank account for each taxpayer identification number (TIN), either a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or a Social Security Number (SSN). To make the transition to SCEIS, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) required Healthy Connections Medicaid group providers with multiple National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers and/or multiple Medicaid Provider Numbers associated with a single TIN to designate one NPI and Medicaid Provider Number combination (a specific provider) to receive payment through SCEIS. The payments for all providers associated with that TIN were then made to the designated bank account for the NPI and Medicaid Provider Number combination. For more information on this transition, visit https://vip.scdhhs.gov/sceis/. In January 2021, SCEIS will begin issuing 1099 forms for the calendar year 2020 to Healthy Connections Medicaid providers. The 1099 forms will be issued to the NPI and Medicaid Provider Number combination designated by the provider and will include payments for all NPIs, and Medicaid Provider Numbers associated with the TIN. Providers will be responsible for any additional required breakdown of 1099 information. If you have any questions regarding 1099s for the calendar year 2020, please contact the Provider Service Center at (888) 289-0709.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) will deliver his State-of-the-State address on February 1, 2021, to provide an update on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and lay out his priorities for the 87th Legislature.
Also in Texas. the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Advisory Committee held its quarterly meeting on January 19. The vendor Appriss shared information on the product enhancements to NarxCare program. The current statute requires all Texas licensed pharmacies are required to report all dispensed controlled substances C-II-V records to the PMP no later than the next business day after the prescription is filled.
Also in Texas. The Board of Pharmacy is scheduled to host a videoconference meeting on February 2, 2021. More information can be found at the following website: https://ldh.la.gov/covidvaccine/
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Virginia
HB 2079, sponsored by Del. Sam Rasoul (D) has been reported unanimously from the House Health Welfare and Institutions Committee. The bill would allow pharmacists to prescribe HIV Pep and PreP treatment; CDC immunizations to adults; tuberculin purified protein derivative for tuberculosis testing; and drugs, devices, controlled paraphernalia, and other supplies and equipment available over-the-counter, covered by the patient’s health carrier when the patient’s out-of-pocket cost is lower than the out-of-pocket cost to purchase the over-the-counter equivalent. A joint workgroup of the Boards of Pharmacy and Medicine would be charged with developing protocols for each. NACDS filed a letter of support for the bill which is an extension of legislation we were instrumental in passing in 2020 that allowed pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives and offer other therapies. The bill now goes to the full House for a vote.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Alabama
The Alabama Board of Pharmacy published a final rule to amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to revise parenteral sterile therapy requirements to reflect the renewal cycle. The rule also requires pharmacists performing high-risk sterile compounding to complete an additional 4-hour, board approved high-risk program. In addition, the rule requires sterile compounding pharmacists to complete 2 continuing education hours each renewal cycle. The rule is will be effective on February 14, 2021.
Also in Alabama. The Board of Pharmacy published a final rule to amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to revise preceptor training requirements to reflect the renewal cycle. The rule is also effective on February 14, 2021.
Also in Alabama. Effective immediately all references to “Reenrollment” will be replaced with the term “Revalidation” to match current Medicare terminology. These changes will be made to all future letters sent to providers referencing the re-enrollment program/processes as well as information contained on the Provider Enrollment website. Providers are also now able to begin uploading their completed revalidations through the secure provider web portal. Additional instructions for uploading revalidation applications and documentation can be found on the Provider Enrollment and Form page under the Revalidation section on the Medicaid website here.
Lastly in Alabama. The Board of Medical Examiners posted a proposed rule to adopt regulations under AAC 540-X-26 to establish requirements for collaborative practice between physicians and pharmacists. The rule would add requirements for collaborative drug therapy management agreements, standards for physicians, reporting, patient care protocols, and the formulary. Comments are due February 4, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.