Iowa
The Iowa Medicaid Enterprise has added a new provider type to allow pharmacists to enroll as Medicaid providers. Pursuant to statewide protocols, this will allow pharmacists to order and dispense naloxone and nicotine replacement therapy tobacco cessation products, as well as to order and administer vaccines to Medicaid members. For details, please see the Informational Letter No. 2048-MC-FFS dated November 18.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed into law HB 4412 (Act No. 123, Public Acts of 2019), effective Wednesday, July 1, 2020, prohibiting the sale of over-the-counter medicines containing the ingredient dextromethorphan to minors.
Also in Michigan…NACDS and the Michigan Retailers Association participated in a Board of Pharmacy Rules Committee Work Group meeting on November 15, where pharmacy technician draft language was discussed. NACDS also submitted written comments.
Also in Michigan… Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), the Department of Health and Human Services and other members of the Michigan Opioids Task Force, issued a press release to announce steps to combat the opioid epidemic. More information may be found on the Opioid Resources webpage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Missouri
The MO HealthNet Pharmacy Help Desk (800-392-8030) has new phone menu sub-options effective November 21, including for early refill or opioid requests and rejections. For additional information, providers can email the Help Desk.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New Mexico
In an effort to get Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s (D) Administration to include reimbursement to pharmacists for clinical services in the 2020 one-month fiscal session, NACDS provided our in-state partner, the New Mexico Pharmacists Association, with recommendations for an upcoming meeting with David R. Scrase, MD, the Secretary of the Human Services Department.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Ohio
On November 1, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation began reimbursing pharmacies for dispensing a drug disposal system to patients receiving an opioid prescription for the first time in the last 12 months. The Bureau’s October 2019 issue of the Provider eNews includes an overview of the program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
The Department of Health and Human Services will operate on an updated schedule for Healthy Connections Medicaid claims submission and payments for one week in November 2019 to accommodate the Thanksgiving holiday. Due to this holiday schedule, claims must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23 to be included with the payment scheduled for Friday, November 29. Payments will run on Monday, November 25 and electronic remittance advices will be available on Tuesday, November 26. Payments will be dated Friday, November 29, as usual. Please refer any questions or concerns regarding this alert to the Provider Service Center at (888) 289-0709.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Virginia
As a result of House Joint Resolution 662, the Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) met last week and reviewed a report of policy options for pharmacists scope of practice as it relates to Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs), Standing Orders and Statewide Protocols. Unfortunately, the Commission did not adopt the policy recommendations that NACDS advocated for in our two rounds of comment letters submitted to the JCHC. Instead, the Commission adopted the following options to recommend for legislation in the 2020 Regular Session – add independent practice nurse practitioners and physician assistants to the list of practitioners that could be a party to a CPA; and request to the Boards of Pharmacy and Medicine to convene a workgroup to determine if statewide standing orders could be expanded to include other conditions, including CLIA-waived tests.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Wisconsin
Gov. Tony Everts (D) signed into law 2019 Wisconsin Act 24. The enacted legislation authorizes pharmacists to administer ACIP-recommended vaccines to individuals 6 years of age and older under their own independent authority and authorizes pharmacists to administer other vaccines pursuant to a prescription, vaccine protocol or standing order (including vaccines to children younger than 6 years of age pursuant to a prescription issued within 29 days of vaccine administration.)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Ohio
The Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced they will implement a single preferred drug list (PDL) beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The move is one in a series of reforms ODM is planning that are meant to increase transparency in the system for both patients and providers. Click here for the PDL and more information on this and other reforms ODM is considering.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Texas
At the November 5th Board of Pharmacy meeting, pharmacists from NACDS, HEB, Kroger and Walgreens advocated for the Board to adopt a proposed rule to eliminate technician ratios which are currently set at 1:4 for Class A retail community pharmacies. The testimony focused on the lack of evidence regarding safety issues, changing workload demands, and that one size does not fit for all pharmacies. After a lengthy discussion, the Board directed staff to bring both eliminating technician ratios and expanding technician duties issues back for discussion at their May 5, 2020 meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Alabama
Effective December 2, 2019, the Alabama Medicaid Agency will implement hard edits on cumulative daily MME claims exceeding 200 MME/day. A phase-in period for claims exceeding 150 MME/day, but less than 200 MME/day, will also be implemented. For more information please see the Medicaid Alert dated November 4, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Kentucky
In this week’s election for governor, Attorney General Andy Beshear (D) has claimed victory over incumbent Governor Matt Bevin (R) in a very tight race. However, Bevin has not conceded. Bevin claims that the race is too close to call and has requested a recount. That recount is scheduled to take place next week.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Mississippi
In state-wide elections this week, current Lt. Governor Tate Reeves (R) defeated Attorney General Jim Hood (D) in the gubernatorial race. Mississippi requires that gubernatorial candidates not only win the popular vote, but also that they secure a majority of legislative districts as well. Of note, current State Treasurer Lynn Fitch (R) will become the state's first female Attorney General. Additionally, Republicans gained a supermajority in the Senate and maintained their supermajority in the House. Speaker Phil Gunn (R) is expected to remain Speaker in
Also in Mississippi… the Mississippi Division of Medicaid's (DOM) Universal Preferred Drug List (PDL) is updated on a quarterly basis each year, with off-cycle changes made as the need arises. As a reminder to pharmacies and prescribing Medicaid providers, effective Nov. 1, 2019, three off-cycle PDL changes will occur. For more information please click here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Virginia
In elections this week, the Virginia Legislature flipped to Democratic control, with Democrats winning the majority in both the Commonwealth’s Senate and House of Delegates. With Gov. Ralph Northam (D), this places Democrats in political control of the state for the first time in over a quarter of a century. Gov. Northam is two years into a four–year term.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
California
The agenda for the November 5 & 6, 2019 Board of Pharmacy meeting in Sacramento has been posted on-line – https://pharmacy.ca.gov/meetings/agendas/2019/19_nov_bd.pdf
Also in California… State Senator Jeff Stone, PharmD, announced his resignation from the California State Senate this week where has served since being elected in 2014. As the only pharmacist in the legislature, he served as Vice-Chair of Senate Health Committee and Senate Human Services Committee.
Also in California… for a limited time period, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Pharmacy Benefits Division will have an online application for the Alternative Payment Option for Pharmacy Retroactive Payment Adjustments. An online form for alternative payment arrangement applications will be open from October 28 through November 22, 2019. The online form will close on November 22, 2019. Applications will not be accepted after that time. Chain pharmacies must complete individual forms specific to each National Provider Identifier (NPI) for which they are seeking this arrangement. Providers may refer to the Pharmacy Reimbursement Project web page of the DHCS website for additional information regarding this project.
Also in California… during the current state of emergency declared by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) earlier this week, treatment authorization requests (TARs) for medications (new, refill or replacement) will be automatically approved if the TAR indicates that the beneficiary is impacted by fire or by power shutoffs. The situation of being impacted by fire/power shutoff alone will meet the criteria of medical necessity and the TAR will be approved.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nevada
Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) held a press conference this week announcing aggressive action his Administration is taking against the Board of Pharmacy. Apparently, a 2005 law requiring fingerprinting and criminal background checks for applicants seeking wholesale pharmacy licenses was never implemented despite the fact that the Board collected fees from the applicants. The Governor announced that he will be making new appointments to the Board, and that the 10-month investigation being conducted by two independent agencies will continue.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
NACDS and the Community Pharmacy Association of New York State held a series of lobby days and grassroots initiatives to support pharmacy technician legislation that this week Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) signed into law. It takes effect in 18 months and includes a change of the ratio of licensed pharmacist to unlicensed personnel from 2:1 to 4:1.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Oregon
NACDS met with Joe Schnabel, Executive Director of the Oregon Board of Pharmacy to discuss upcoming rulemaking to implement legislation requiring: 1) prescription labels in English AND the patient's native language beginning January 1, 2021; and 2) a requirement that all pharmacies provide label readers to those patients indicating they are visually impaired.
The Board does not feel it has much flexibility with regard to the labeling issue. In addition, NACDS's lobbyist has met with two key Senators who have indicated the translation issue will not be considered in the 2020 Legislative Session. NACDS members have expressed serious concerns with costs and timelines associated with implementing the translation labeling.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Tennessee
The Tennessee Pharmacists Association has partnered with America Pharmacists’ Association (APhA) to offer the APhA’s “Pharmacist & Patient-Centered Diabetes Care” Certificate Training Program to pharmacists at a promotional rate of only $99, on Friday, November 22, 2019, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Memphis, TN. For more information click here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
The Texas Board of Pharmacy is meeting on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. There are several issues on the agenda of interest to NACDS, including rulemaking for legislation chain pharmacy supported, discussion on the strategic plan for 2021-2025, and proposed rules to eliminate technician ratios. For more information go to – https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/files_pdf/BN/Nov19/Agenda.pdf
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Washington
The Washington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission, after two years of work and input from stakeholders has completed the re-write of the pharmacy rules, putting them into four main categories: 1) General Provisions, 2) General Licensing, 3) Professional Standards, and 4) Operational Standards. The final draft will be sent to the Code Revisor’s Office prior to being sent out to all stakeholders for final comments and public hearing. The re-write, similar to what was done in Idaho, eliminated obsolete rules.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
California
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Pharmacy Benefits Division announced that for a limited time period – October 28 through November 22, 2019, DHCS will have an online application for the Alternative Payment Option for Pharmacy Retroactive Payment Adjustments.
- Provider mailers were sent out on October 17th to the Pharmacy Providers mailing address.
- The October Medi-Cal Pharmacy Bulletin introduced the option and timeframes to the providers – http://files.medi-cal.ca.gov/pubsdoco/bulletins/artfull/ph201910.asp#a1
- The Retroactive Claim Adjustment Frequently Asked Questions have also been updated to reflect the new option. http://files.medi-cal.ca.gov/pubsdoco/ncpdp/Pharmacy_Retroactive_Claim_Adjustments_faq.asp
Also in California… Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D) appointed Anthony Wright to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) 18-member single-payer health care commission called the “Healthy Californians for All Commission” that is tasked with making health care more affordable, transparent and assessible.
Additionally in California… Jon R. Roth, MS, CAE, CEO of the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA), announced his resignation, effective, January 10, 2020. Mr. Roth is moving to the Dallas County Medical Society as its Executive Vice President & CEO.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Colorado
HB19-1242 – Regulate Pharmacy Technicians will require all pharmacy technicians to obtain a certification or provisional certification from the Board of Pharmacy (Board) by March 30, 2020. At the Board’s October 3rd Rulemaking Hearing, rules affecting pharmacy technicians were adopted effective November 30, 2019, in order to allow pharmacy technicians enough time to prepare to apply for and become certified by March 30, 2020. Applications for pharmacy technician certification and provisional certification will be available early 2020. The fee for a pharmacy technician certification or provisional certification will be $57. Additional information related to the new pharmacy technician certification requirements will be posted on the Board’s website – https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Pharmacy?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#_blank
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Ohio
NACDS reminds members that the Ohio Department of Medicaid has published an RFI seeking providers’ input on Managed Care Procurement and encourages members to respond to the RFI and share their company’s experiences with and suggestions for improving the Managed Care system. Currently, there is no due date for submissions; it will be announced two weeks prior to closing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oklahoma
Governor Kevin Stitt (R) appointed public member Jason Willeford to serve on the Board of Pharmacy, replacing Stephen Dudley.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.