In The States – Page 150 – Weekly news about states

California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.

Diabetic Supplies: Updates to Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (October 4)
Medical Supplies: Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems and Disposable Insulin Delivery Devices Updates (September 30; Revised October 4)
Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for October (October 1)
Changes to Contract Drugs List (CDL) (October 1)
Changes to Contract Drugs List (CDL) – Over-the-Counter Drugs (October 1)
Changes to Contract Drugs List (CDL) – Authorized Drug Manufacturer Labeler Codes (October 1)
Changes to Family PACT Pharmacy Formulary (October 1)
Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (October 1)
Diabetic Supplies: Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems Billing Units Reminder, Effective October 1, 2022 (October 1)
Enteral Nutrition Update: Changes to the List of Covered Enteral Nutrition Products, Effective November 1, 2022, December 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023 (October 1)
Medical Supplies: Removal of Prior Authorization Requirement for Covered Blood Pressure Cuffs, Effective November 1, 2022 (October 1)
Medical Supplies: Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems and Disposable Insulin Delivery Devised Updates (September 30)
Coming Soon: Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines (September 30)
Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for September 23-29 (September 30)

Also in California, Medi-Cal posted the following:

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted its Board of Pharmacy Update – October 2022.

In California, Medi-Cal Rx will provide an educational opportunity regarding Brand Medically Necessary Prior Authorizations (DAW 1) and implications for pharmacy providers related to the Dispense as Written (DAW), Brand Medically Necessary (BMN), and Reimbursement – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Submission of Pricing Prior Authorization for Brand Medically Necessary Medications: Dispense as Written 1 (DAW1), released on September 29. Please join the Zoom meeting on October 10 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific using the following:

https://magellanhealth.zoom.us/j/93157317543?pwd=ZzlGRE9FNWtZWWtqb2FRZzcyMmE3Zz09&from=addon

Password: 924224

or iPhone one-tap (US Toll): +16699006833,93157317543# or +13462487799,93157317543#

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

Erica Joyner2022-10-07T10:55:31-04:00October 7, 2022|California|

Governor John Carney (D) signed HB 399 authorizing a pharmacist to order, test, screen and treat certain health conditions pursuant to a statewide written protocol for CLIA-waived tests approved by the Division of Public Health. These health conditions include flu; Strep A; COVID or other respiratory illness, condition or disease; lice; skin conditions including ring worm and athlete’s foot or other emerging and existing public health threats identified and permitted by the Division of Public Health. A pharmacist may also delegate the administration and technical performance of the CLIA-waived test to an intern or pharmacy technician acting under the supervision of the pharmacist.

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

Erica Joyner2022-10-07T10:54:15-04:00October 7, 2022|Delaware|

Florida

Due to Hurricane Ian, and effective immediately, retail food stores licensed by the Food and Nutrition Service and located in the State of Florida may accept SNAP benefits in exchange for HOT foods and foods intended to be consumed on retailer premises.

These special rules are in effect through October 31, 2022.

When hot foods are purchased with SNAP EBT benefits through October 31, 2022, the purchases are NOT subject to sales tax, as these foods are considered SNAP eligible during this period.

All SNAP authorized retail food stores in the State of Florida are encouraged to post a special notice in the store letting SNAP customers know that they can use their SNAP EBT benefits to purchase hot foods and, where practical, may remain on the premises to consume those foods.

Thank you for your assistance in aiding those impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Also in Florida, the state has Starlink Internet Provider units available to businesses. These are the portable wifi providers donated to the state by Elon Musk. Each unit can provide internet service to 2,000 square feet and can have 120 maximum concurrent devices connected at a time. Multiple units are available to primarily allow a business to have connectivity and secondly to provide hotspots to the public. The first priority is to assist businesses. The ESF in charge of this will assist with set up and provide technical support. Please contact Lorena@FRF.org for more information.

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

Erica Joyner2022-10-07T11:14:00-04:00October 7, 2022|Florida|

Illinois

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Post Kidney Transplant Preferred Drugs under the Emergency Medical Program.

Also, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Prior Approval Requests for Synagis Dosing.

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

Erica Joyner2022-10-07T10:51:27-04:00October 7, 2022|Illinois|

Indiana

On October 20, the Interim Study Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance is holding a joint hearing on market concentration of the health insurance industry, hospital industry, health care practitioners, retail pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy benefit manager industry and pharmacy services administration organization industry.

Also in Indiana, Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) posted important information for providers, including:

BT202288 – Annual update of ICD-10 codes is effective October 1, 2022
BT202287 – IHCP updates age ranges for Moderna COVID vaccine and administration codes
BT202282 – Pharmacy updates approved by Drug Utilization Review Board September 2022

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

Erica Joyner2022-10-07T10:50:46-04:00October 7, 2022|Indiana|

Iowa

The Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Medicaid issued the following:

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

Erica Joyner2022-10-07T10:50:01-04:00October 7, 2022|Iowa|

Louisiana

The Department of Health (LDH) Medicaid Pharmacy Program issued the following updates:

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

Erica Joyner2022-10-07T10:49:15-04:00October 7, 2022|Louisiana|

Massachusetts

A statewide standing order is now available for the dispensing of emergency contraception pills (ECP). While not required to dispense ECP under the standing order, a training program is available through the MGH Institute of Health Professions that also offers continuing education credits.

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

Erica Joyner2022-10-07T10:48:21-04:00October 7, 2022|Massachusetts|

Maryland

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is currently accepting applications and nominations for pharmacists to serve on the Maryland Medicaid Drug Use Review (DUR) Board beginning January 2023. The DUR Board is comprised of up to twelve (12) licensed and actively practicing physicians and pharmacists in Maryland. Members are appointed by the Secretary of MDH and serve one term of three (3) years from the date of their appointment with the option to serve an additional three (3) year term. All interested applicants are required to submit a formal application through the Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Appointments and Executive Nominations application link and indicate DUR Board. The deadline to submit applications is October 19, 2022.

Also in Maryland, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) announced the targeted launch of a new Pharmacy Point of Sale Electronic Claims Management System. They have published a bulletin with details on the functionality of the new system and instructions to attend training in-person or virtually.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Erica Joyner2022-10-07T10:46:42-04:00October 7, 2022|Maryland|