In The States – Page 154 – Weekly news about states

Washington

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) is conducting an accessible labeling capability assessment survey to assess current pharmacy practices around providing accessible labeling options to patients, including whether such options are already made available, and what technological, financial, or resource-based obstacles prevent such options from being offered. PQAC filed a rulemaking inquiry (CR-101) to consider new and amended rules related to prescription label accessibility standards on issues pertaining to both visual/print disability access and the translation of prescription drug information for individuals for whom English is not a primary language.

Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) is publishing quarterly updates to many of the Apple Health billing guides effective October 1, 2022.

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

Michael Silber2022-09-30T12:33:04-04:00September 30, 2022|Washington|

Wyoming

The Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee will meet October 13-14 to finalize interim work and prepare for the 2023 General Session.  The agenda includes PBMs at 3:30 p.m. on October 13. 

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

Michael Silber2022-09-30T12:32:25-04:00September 30, 2022|Wyoming|

Arkansas

On September 19, the Insurance Department (AID) issued Rule 118, a final rule regulating Pharmacy Benefit Managers.

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

Michael Silber2022-09-23T13:33:00-04:00September 23, 2022|Arkansas|

California

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

Diabetic Supplies Updates: Changes to the Lists of Covered Diabetic Test Strips and Lancets and Covered Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Systems (Glucometers), Control Solutions, and Lancing Devices, Effective November 20, 2022 (September 20) 
Medical Supplies and Enteral Nutrition Coverage Reminder (September 19)
Now Active – Physician Administered Drug Policy Updates (September 16)
Now Active – Reinstatement of Limited Prior Authorization Requirements for 11 Drug Classes (September 16)
Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for September 9-15 (September 16)
Informational Claim Message: Prescriber Enrollment (September 15) 
Medi-Cal Enrollment for Ordering, Referring, Prescribing Providers (September 15)

Also in California, Medi-Cal posted the following:  

Billing Update for Bebtelovimab Use for COVID-19 Treatment (September 20)
National Correct Coding Initiative Quarterly Update for October 2022 (September 16)
Addition of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine (September 16)
Medi-Cal Update – Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supplies – September 2022 – Bulletin 564 (September 16)
Medi-Cal Update – Pharmacy – September 2022 – Bulletin 1023 (September 16)
New Laboratory Test for Orthopoxvirus is a Medi-Cal Benefit (September 16)

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

Michael Silber2022-09-23T13:31:54-04:00September 23, 2022|California|

Delaware

The Office of Controlled Substances Controlled Substance Advisory Committee Meeting scheduled for September 28 is cancelled. The next meeting will be held on November 30 at 9:00 a.m.

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

Michael Silber2022-09-23T13:31:20-04:00September 23, 2022|Delaware|

Georgia

Beginning this week, the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) will provide cash assistance of up to $350 for active enrollees in Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and/or TANF government benefit programs.

Georgians with email addresses registered with DHS will receive virtual payments by eGift card, this is separate from current benefit payment cards. Plastic cards will be mailed to eligible Georgians who do not have their email address listed in Gateway.

The virtual payment card is a Mastercard prepaid card that works exactly like a debit card – and will live in the recipient’s digital wallet (Apple, Google, Samsung Wallets). The virtual payments can also be used via keyed entry anywhere that accepts Mastercard payments, not just online.

Also in Georgia, the Georgia Pharmacy Foundation is offing a free CPE (Continuing Pharmacy Education) online seminar, Pharmacy Well Being – Strategies to Mitigate Burnout, presented by PharmWell, on Thursday, November 17, 2022, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm. CLICK HERE to register.

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

Michael Silber2022-09-23T13:30:36-04:00September 23, 2022|Georgia|

Indiana

The Family and Social Services Administration’s (FFSA) Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) announced that they will continue reimbursing Health Indiana Plan (HIP) services at Medicare rates through the end of 2023. However, January 1, 2024, they will transition to a reimbursement model with consistent rates across all its programs. IHCP plans to equalize rates among the HIP, Hoosier Care Connect, Hoosier Healthwise and fee-for-service programs.

Also in Indiana, IHCP will host an online seminar on September 28 to discuss provider notices published this month.

Also in Indiana, IHCP announced the intent to implement Statewide Uniform Preferred Drug List (PDL) for all Medicaid pharmacy plans effective July 1, 2023.

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

Michael Silber2022-09-23T13:29:50-04:00September 23, 2022|Indiana|

Kentucky

As a result of the adoption of an Emergency Administrative Regulation, beginning October 1, 2022, MedImpact will pay pharmacies a dispensing fee of $10.64 for each prescription of Suboxone every 7 days, as written by the prescriber. Prior to the adoption of the new regulation, Medicaid would only pay the fee every 23 days. This will be practically implemented as one dispensing fee and up to three additional professional service fees per rolling 28-day period. To receive the professional service fees, the pharmacist is required to take additional steps, including checking KASPER and providing patient counseling. Additional information as well as adjudication details are included in this Bulletin.

Also in Kentucky, The Board of Pharmacy has issued the following proposed rules for public comment. Comments are due to the BOP on November 30 and contact details are on the last page of each rule.

201 KAR 030 – amends to the license transfer regulation to establish a non-resident pharmacist license for any pharmacist located outside of Kentucky serving Kentucky patients; requires the pharmacist to have a non-resident pharmacist license and participate in NABP’s Verify program; exempts the non-resident pharmacist from continuing education requirements in the state
201 KAR 2 460 -establishes an out-of-state pharmacy permit
201 KAR 2 360 – amends the Naloxone regulation allowing pharmacists to dispense to emergency departments under a protocol

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

Michael Silber2022-09-23T13:29:16-04:00September 23, 2022|Kentucky|

Louisiana

The Department of Health’s (LDH) deadline for Medicaid providers to submit an enrollment application is September 20, 2022. Claims will be denied beginning December 31, 2022, for providers who have not completed the enrollment process by September 30. Providers should visit www.lamedicaid.com to enroll. Additional guidance is located at www.ldh.la.gov/medicaidproviderenrollment. Providers can also email questions to LouisianaProvEnroll@gainwelltechnologies.com or call 833-641-2140.

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

Michael Silber2022-09-23T13:28:38-04:00September 23, 2022|Louisiana|