In The States – Page 155 – Weekly news about states

California

On June 1, Legislative Leaders announced a 2022-2023 Joint Budget Agreement that contains budget priorities from the Assembly and the Senate as well as elements of the Governor’s budget proposals.  The agreement provides an overall plan to provide relief to families and small businesses, including $142.8 million over two years designated to forgive recoupment of pharmacy reimbursement rate reductions in Medi-Cal from prior years for independent pharmacies. NACDS and the California Retailers Association (CRA) have been advocating in recent months for forgiveness of the Medi-Cal Recoupments for all pharmacy providers.  On June 3, NACDS and CRA submitted a joint letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) urging him to allocate the $142.8 million for Medi-Cal pharmacy rate recoupment to all applicable pharmacies, including chains. 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.  

Coordination of Benefits – Billing Medicare Part B and D Claims (June 6)
Medi-Cal Rx Coordination of Benefits (COB) Reminder (June 6)
Medi-Cal Rx Checkwrite Schedule – State Fiscal Year 2022-23 Available (June 3)
Medi-Cal Rx PAVE Enrollment for ORP Providers (June 3)
Medi-Cal Rx Newborn Claims (June 3)
Medical Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for May 27-June 2 (June 3)

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy has posted the following documents for its Full Board Meeting to be held on June 16.

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

Michael Silber2022-06-10T10:28:56-04:00June 10, 2022|California|

Maine

The Maine Board of Pharmacy has released its minutes from April and May meetings. The next Board meeting will be on August 4.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2022-06-10T10:27:53-04:00June 10, 2022|Maine|

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy has updated its Policy 2022-03 which deals with unfilled Prescriptions. The Board decided to update the policy based on information from the DEA to allow pharmacies to send unfilled electronic prescriptions for federally controlled substances, including CII, to another pharmacy for initial fill. This can be done either by verbal transfer or election transmission, but methods must be pharmacist-to-pharmacist and follow the transfer requirements of 21 CFR section 1306.25. The next Board of Pharmacy meeting is scheduled for August 4.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2022-06-10T10:27:28-04:00June 10, 2022|Massachusetts|

Minnesota

HF 4065, an omnibus health care bill was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz (D). The bill includes a provision that allows pharmacists to administer intramuscular and subcutaneous drug injections and to place drug monitoring devices according to prescription, protocols, or collaborative practice agreements.

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

Michael Silber2022-06-10T10:25:42-04:00June 10, 2022|Minnesota|

New York

Before the New York State Legislature recently adjourned, both Houses passed legislation (A3040B-S4807B) which would authorize pharmacists to administer long-acting injectable medication for MH/SUD per a prescription or order. In addition, the legislature rejected efforts to delay or repeal the planned FFS (Fee for Service) transition of the pharmacy benefit set to take effect on April 1, 2023.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2022-06-10T10:24:45-04:00June 10, 2022|New York|

Ohio

The Department of Medicaid (ODM (Ohio Department of Medicaid)) has published an important update regarding the implementation of the Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager (SPBM). The update clarifies that reimbursement rates for the new program will be announced later this month, that Gainwell has launched a new webpage that includes important program information and useful guides including the SPBM Pharmacy Reference Guide (Provider Manual). The website will continue to be updated with information for members, pharmacies, and prescribers. Lastly, they have also released an updated version of their SBPM FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions), which includes answers to many questions NACDS had previously submitted on behalf of members.

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

Michael Silber2022-06-10T10:23:11-04:00June 10, 2022|Ohio|

Rhode Island

The Department of Health has announced their endemic strategy for COVID-19 vaccination and testing.

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

Michael Silber2022-06-10T10:22:39-04:00June 10, 2022|Rhode Island|

Tennessee

Governor Bill Lee (R) has signed HB2228, effective July 1, 2022, under this measure, prescribers are required to include a prescription for naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid overdose reversal agent with any opioid prescription. This only applies for prescriptions of more than a 3-day supply of an opioid medication, when prescribed concurrently by the same provider with a benzodiazepine, when the patient presents an increased risk for overdose, or the patient at substantial risk of witnessing an opioid overdose event. Violations of this measure are considered a Class D felony.

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

Michael Silber2022-06-10T10:21:28-04:00June 10, 2022|Tennessee|

West Virginia

On June 2, the Insurance Commission filed the Pharmacy Auditing Entities and Pharmacy Benefit Managers Rule with an effective date of July 1, 2022. This rule is pursuant to passage of HB (House Bill) 2263 of 2021. The new rule amends the current rule relating to Pharmacy Audits that was effective on April 1, 2021 and remains in effect.

Also in West Virginia, The Insurance Commission has proposed a rule 114CSR99 to reflect changes to the WV Code because of the passage of Enrolled HB 4112 which was approved by Governor Justice on March 30, 2022. The rule will be considered by the Legislative Rule Making Review Committee during the 2022 legislative interims and put before the WV Legislature for approval in 2023. If you have comments, please email them to Jill McCormack before the close of business on June 23. Otherwise, you may email them to michael.n.malone@wv.gov of the Insurance Commission by 5pm on July 5, 2022.

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

Michael Silber2022-06-10T10:18:32-04:00June 10, 2022|West Virginia|