Iowa
The Iowa Board of Pharmacy has issued COVID-19 guidance to pharmacies about its enforcement of administrative rules and published a document with Frequently Asked Questions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Kentucky
The General Assembly passed SB 50 sponsored by Sen. Max Wise (R). The bill will provide significant financial relief to pharmacies by prohibiting PBMs in Medicaid managed care from using fees or effective rates to lower reimbursement. Additionally, the bill will require the Department of Medicaid Services, with the input of pharmacy, to set reimbursement rates in Managed Care. The intent of this provision is to move to cost-based reimbursement plus a professional dispensing fee. NACDS supported the on-the-ground efforts of the Kentucky Retail Federation and member companies to support provisions of this bill that align with our campaign. The bill now goes to the Governor.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
After seeing several Emergency Orders allowing early refills, 90-day supply for maintenance medications, extending prior authorizations and waving copays, NACDS reached out to the Department of Health's Medicaid and Pharmacy staff requesting that they consider additional COVID19 waivers. NACDS shared model language to access essential services at pharmacies, including encouraging the Department of Health to adopt a statewide protocol to allow pharmacists to test and treat for COVID-19 once the anti-viral comes to market. We also discussed 1135 waivers and their pending SPA which will allow pharmacists to be reimbursed for adult immunizations.
Also in Louisiana... The Board of Pharmacy adopted an Emergency Rule placing limitations on the dispensing of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19. Link to all emergency rules adopted – http://www.doa.la.gov/Pages/osr/emr/emr.aspx and the guidance document can be found here –
Also in Louisiana... Prior to the postponement on the March 18th Board of Pharmacy's Regulation Revision Committee meeting, NACDS submitted a comment letter on the telepharmacy rules, urging the Board to remove the arbitrary restrictions on location of dispensing sites, prescription volume, and staffing requirements.
Also in Louisiana... The April 7, 2020 Pharmacy Legislative Day at the Capitol has been cancelled.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Mississippi
The Reeves Administration has announced temporary Medicaid changes in response to coronavirus outbreak. Additional information on policies, coding, and reimbursement related to the COVID-19 outbreak will continue to be added to a resource page on the agency’s website at https://medicaid.ms.gov/coronavirus-updates/.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Missouri
After receiving authority from Missouri, Gov. Mike Parson’s (R) Executive Order to address regulatory burdens impeding response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Pharmacy has waived a number of regulations, which can be found on a dedicated web page, along with materials from this week’s webinar. The Missouri Pharmacy Association is hosting another webinar (open to non-members) on Friday, March 27, 2020 at 12 pm.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New Mexico
NACDS participated on a conference call earlier this week hosted by the Department of Health answering questions posed by chain and independent pharmacists about COVID19 response.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nevada
Governor Steve Sisolak (D) signed an emergency regulation promulgated by the Board of Pharmacy aimed at preventing hoarding of the drugs. The regulation prohibits the prescribing and dispensing chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for a COVID-19 diagnosis, requires an ICD-10 code on prescriptions for the drugs and limits the prescription amount to a 30-day supply for the drugs.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
North Dakota
Gov. Doug Burgum (R) directed state agencies to provide recommendations for policies hindering response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In another Executive Order, he directed pharmacy benefit management companies to eliminate proof of delivery requirements; authorized license pharmacists to administer COVID-19 testing; and authorized emergency refills of non-controlled substances for up to 30 days. The Department of Human Services has created a Medicaid pharmacy document of Frequently Asked Questions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Ohio
The Board of Pharmacy has issued an emergency rule, effective March 22nd, on the dispensing of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. For an FAQ on this issue and other COVID-19 related guidance issued by the board, visit their website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oklahoma
NACDS submitted comments to the State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBNDD) on proposed rule changes pertaining to the information that pharmacies are required to report to Oklahoma’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). The letter recommended that the data pharmacies are required to report should be limited to information that is required to be on a controlled substance prescription and/or required to process third party claims. NACDS also commented that costly software changes would be needed for pharmacy dispensing and management computer systems to accommodate the reporting of added data elements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oregon
NACDS submitted a formal request to the Oregon Board of Pharmacy asking them to delay enforcement of Senate Bill 698 – Translation labelling – Until July 2022. The Board has not developed rules for implementation, delaying members’ ability to work with IT for changes that will be needed to label prescriptions in English and the patient’s preferred language.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
Gov. Tom Wolf (D) has announced new measures allowing healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, to re-enter the workforce to assist with the COVID-19 crisis. Specifically, pharmacists whose licenses are expired/inactive for less than four years can apply for reactivation of their licenses. Their CE requirements and license reactivation fees will be suspended. For previous pharmacy related actions in PA go to: https://www.dos.pa.gov/Documents/2020-03-21-Pharmacy-Omnibus-Requirement-Suspension.pdf
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
COVID-19 Updates from the SC Board of Pharmacy.
- Order Expanding Certain Deadlines
This Order expands various licensure and registration deadlines, including pharmacist, pharmacist technician, facility permits, CPR certification, and continuing education. - Order Providing Temporary Authorization for Use of Automated Pharmacy Pickup Kiosks
This Order allows permittees to utilize automated pharmacy pickup kiosks without first appearing before the Practice and Technology Committee or Board. - Order Establishing Safe Harbor for Preparation of Pharmaceutical Products in Light of National GARB/PPE Shortage
This Order establishes the safe harbor provisions for permittees facing a shortage of garb and/or PPE.
For previous Board of Pharmacy Orders related to COVID-19 and additional information, click here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
South Dakota
The South Dakota Board of Pharmacy published a memo addressing signature requirements and guidance for emergency filling of non-controlled substances.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee (R) has issued Executive Order #15. Of note to pharmacy practice, the following items have been addressed to promote the health and well-being of Tennesseans during the COVID-19 pandemic: Out-of-State Licensed Health Care Professionals, Refills of Maintenance Medications up to 90 Days, Patients in Temporary Residences, Expiration of Health Care Professionals and Facilities Licenses, Remote Verification of Prescriptions Certificate of Need Requirements, Alternate Testing Site Allowance, Setting Prices on Medical Supplies, Emergency Supplies, or Consumer Food Items, TennCare Changes and Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
NACDS has been sharing our model language for COVID19 waiver requests with our in-state partners to promote with the state agencies. The Texas Federation of Drug Stores (TFDS) utilized these documents and submitted numerous waiver requests and authorizations from regulations to Gov. Greg Abbott (R), the Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Insurance.
Also in Texas... The Board of Pharmacy held an emergency board meeting on March 20th to adopt rules placing limits on dispensing of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, mefloquine, or azithromycin. Link to a list of all temporary suspension of rules and recently adopted emergency rules is found here – https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/coronavirus/
Also in Texas... Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered the creation of a temporary Supply Chain Strike Force tasked with guiding collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure health care facilities have the supplies and resources they need to respond to COVID-19. In addition to working with the federal government and businesses to secure necessary personal protective equipment, the team will work to ensure day-to-day resources, including food, are available for Texas' medical personnel, first responders and those who have contracted COVID-19. https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-increased-ppe-supply-issues-executive-order-to-strengthen-reporting-capabilities
Also in Texas... Gov. Greg Abbott (R) named Phil Wilson Acting Executive Commissioner of Texas Health and Human Services.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Wisconsin
The Department of Health Services has canceled its Opioid Forum scheduled for May 5-7, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Wyoming
NACDS submitted comments to the Wyoming Board of Pharmacy supporting its proposed rule changes eliminating the technician ratio and expanding immunization authority for pharmacists. The Board’s March meeting has been postponed until at least April.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Illinois
The Illinois Pharmacists Association has created a dedicated web page pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Iowa
The Iowa state legislature suspended its session for a minimum of thirty days as of March 16th out of concern for the COVID-19 pandemic. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy issued guidance for pharmacies with limited supplies of compounding garb.
Also in Iowa… A reminder that the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise’s cost of dispensing survey is due March 26, 2020. For more information, please see this Information Letter.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Human Services announced it will delay the upcoming Cost of Dispensing survey. Mercer has contacted pharmacies with additional information. In addition, the March 20, 2020 webinar has been canceled.
Also in Minnesota… The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy has issued a Frequently Asked Questions document in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
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.