Georgia
NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy on proposed rules that would implement a 2012 law allowing central prescription filling. NACDS commended the Board for pursuing this rulemaking initiative and asked the Board to clarify certain administrative requirements to ensure that the rule is workable for pharmacies.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Nebraska
The Nebraska Pharmacists Association (NPA) is seeking member pharmacists to serve on its 2019 Legislative Committee, Education Committee and Third-Party Advisory Committee. To volunteer, please contact NPA Chief Executive Officer Joni Cover by Friday, December 14.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New York
NACDS and the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State met with the New York State (NYS) Bureau of Immunizations to discuss pharmacy participation in the federally-funded Vaccines for Children program. Also, the state is developing a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) for chain pharmacies so that the state has a method of communicating with pharmacies in the case of a pandemic. Once that MOU is complete, NACDS will distribute it to members operating in the state.
Also in New York…NACDS and the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State met with the NYS Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) to discuss the opioid tax assessment program and the drug disposal program. The opioid tax assessment program enacted earlier this year will result in additional revenue to the state totaling $100 million annually. The invoices to the impacted drug manufacturers and wholesale distributors have been sent. In addition, the newly enacted statewide drug disposal legislation has a series of 2019 target dates. We have asked BNE to hold a stakeholder meeting to ensure that all interested parties continue to participate in the development of the program.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Ohio
NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy on a proposed rule modifying the requirements for reporting to the state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). Specifically, NACDS asked the Board to clarify that pharmacies are required to submit a patient’s phone number as the patient identifier where it is available. Additionally, NACDS asked the Board to change a requirement that pharmacies notify the Board of PDMP submission errors to requiring such a notification only where the submission error cannot be corrected within seven days.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Michigan
The Michigan Pharmacists Association announced the results of its Executive Board elections. Meijer Pharmacy Compliance Director Mollien was voted president-elect. Charlie also serves on the state’s Board of Pharmacy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New York
NACDS participated in the Board of Pharmacy meeting. A significant portion of the meeting focused on electronic prescribing and best practices. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2019 in Albany.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Texas
NACDS submitted comments to the Health and Human Services Commission in support of a draft policy to limit opioid prescriptions to a maximum of seven days for opioid naïve clients across all of Medicaid, including traditional fee-for-service and managed care.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Michigan
The Michigan Pharmacists Association announced the results of its Executive Board elections. Meijer Pharmacy Compliance Director Mollien was voted president-elect. Charlie also serves on the state’s Board of Pharmacy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New York
NACDS participated in the Board of Pharmacy meeting. A significant portion of the meeting focused on electronic prescribing and best practices. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2019 in Albany.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Texas
NACDS submitted comments to the Health and Human Services Commission in support of a draft policy to limit opioid prescriptions to a maximum of seven days for opioid naïve clients across all of Medicaid, including traditional fee-for-service and managed care.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
Effective October 28, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) lifted its moratorium on the enrollment of pharmacy providers for the Medi-Cal fee-for-service program in Los Angeles County. For more information, contact the Provider Enrollment Message Center at 916-323-1945 or submit your question via e-mail or NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Also in California…In mid-November, DHCS will publish an article in the Medi-Cal Pharmacy Updates bulletin informing providers seeking the higher of the two professional dispensing fees on drug claims for Fiscal Year 2019-20 that the next attestation will start in January 2019 for calendar year 2018 claim volume. If your company would like to centralize the coordination of attestations, please contact Trudi Balestreri.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Pennsylvania
The Wolf Administration’s Opioid Command Center sent a letter to pharmacies regarding its Stop Overdoses in PA: Get Help Now outreach campaign that will take place the week of December 10. Specifically, they want pharmacies to be aware they may see an increase in the number of persons seeking naloxone and request that pharmacies adjust stock accordingly. Additionally, they ask pharmacies to educate pharmacists on the Department of Health’s standing order.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
California
Pharmacies installing or discontinuing drug take-back collection receptacles can now electronically notify the Board of Pharmacy. Requirements for drug take-back services, including collection receptacles and mail-back envelopes, are in California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Article 9.1.
Also in California…The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced plans to implement a new Medi-Cal fee-for-service cost-based reimbursement methodology in late 2018. After system implementation, DHCS intends to make retroactive adjustments for all claims with dates of service between April 1, 2017, and the date of system implementation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Idaho
The Idaho Immunization Coalition is conducting an educational adult immunization workshop on Wednesday, December 5 for healthcare professionals that will offer Continuing Education credits. This is a great opportunity for pharmacists and immunizing pharmacy technicians to attend an interdisciplinary event that delivers a clear message advocating for adult immunizations. Pharmacies have seen an increased role in providing adult immunizations and this workshop will discuss some of the common barriers encountered in the community setting. Additional information and online registration are available now.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Iowa
CMS approved the State Plan Amendment (SPA) to increase the professional dispensing fee from $10.02 to $10.07 effective November 1. State statute requires a cost of dispensing survey every two years. $10.07 reflects the results of the 2018 survey. More information can be found in the Department of Human Services’ Informational Letter No. 1959-MC-FFS.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Louisiana
Effective October 24, Medicaid fee-for-service set a quantity limit on epinephrine injections at four boxes of two syringes (eight syringes total) per rolling 365 days. The Department of Health also announced that due to the current shortage of certain products, the prior authorizations will be automatically approved.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Texas
On October 30, NACDS, in partnership with seven pharmacy groups in Texas, hosted a Pharmacy Advocacy Training Day at the Capitol. The purpose of the meeting was to educate pharmacists on how to discuss issues with legislators and staff. The Executive Director of the Board of Pharmacy Allison Benz welcomed the 65 chain and independent pharmacists, encouraging them to be active in their various associations, and to engage both at the Capitol and the Board of Pharmacy meetings. A Senior Advisor for Gov. Greg Abbott (R) applauded the pharmacy groups for coming to the Capitol united on certain issues. Media pundits from the Quorum Report and Texas Tribune shared insights on Texas politics and the Speaker of the House’s race. Rep. Donna Howard (D) and Rep. Drew Darby’s (R) Chief of Staff offered advice on how to present issues to legislators and staff. Prior to the afternoon group meetings scheduled with 78 legislative offices, pharmacists engaged in role playing activities to hone their skills.
Also in Texas…The Health and Human Services Commission Vendor Drug Program (VDP) announced that they expanded the age range for optional coverage of the flu vaccine through the pharmacy benefit as of October 19. With this change, plans have the option to allow pharmacies to bill for flu vaccines provided to beneficiaries ages seven years and older in a pharmacy setting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Alabama
Effective Thursday, November 1, the Medicaid Agency will begin implementing limits on short-acting opiates for opioid naíve recipients. Details are available on the website. Also, the override form and criteria have been posted. Additionally, prescribers and pharmacists may access the printable Recipient Information Sheet online.
Georgia
Gov. Nathan Deal (R) called a special session of the legislature on Tuesday, November 13 to take immediate action and lead the way in spurring economic recovery after the heavy damage caused by Hurricane Michael.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Kansas
The Board of Pharmacy’s Technician Task Force will submit language to the Board recommending increasing the current 3:1 pharmacy technician to pharmacist ratio to 6:1 provided half the technicians are certified.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Mississippi
On October 1, the Division of Medicaid (DOM) began requiring an FDA-approved indication or compendia-supported indication for each stimulant prescription. It has come to DOM’s attention that the MississippiCAN pharmacy claims systems do not interface with the medical claims systems and may not be able to perform a search for diagnoses in the past 24 months of medical claims. The fee-for-service system is capable of performing this look-back function. To ensure that stimulant prescriptions process without delay or the need for prior authorization, DOM advises providers to write the diagnosis and ICD-10 code on each of their patient’s ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) prescriptions. Pharmacy providers must then enter the ICD-10 code on prescription claims. A list of FDA-approved or compendia-supported indications covered by DOM, along with corresponding ICD-10 codes, can be found on DOM’s Pharmacy Resource webpage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Missouri
Gov. Michael L. Parson (R) named Rep. Todd Richardson (R), currently Speaker of the House, to become Medicaid Director effective Thursday, November 1. Speaker Richardson will be replaced by House Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr (R), who was already selected to succeed Speaker Richardson in 2019 but will assume the interim speaker role in the meantime.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Pennsylvania
This week, Gov. Tom Wolf (D) signed two pharmacy-backed bills into law, including HB 353 and HB 270. HB 353 requires e-prescribing for all controlled substances effective one year from the date of governor’s signing on October 28. Wolf also signed HB 270, which expands income guidelines for the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) program, estimated to make an additional 14,500 senior citizens eligible for the PACENET pharmacy benefit. NACDS participated in negotiations with the Wolf Administration that resulted in an amendment to the bill that would allow retail pharmacies to perform medication synchronization for PACE beneficiaries and includes a provision that allows for a pro-rated co-pay and requires the payment of the full dispensing fee for partial fills to synchronized medications.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Iowa
Effective Saturday, December 1, the Medicaid pharmacy copayment for prescriptions drugs and refills will be $1.00 regardless of a drug’s status on the Preferred Drug List. For more information, please contact Harry Rossander at the Department of Human Service Bureau of Policy Coordination or NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Michigan
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a letter to providers with information about its enforcement of certain dispensing limits on opioids designed to align with safe prescribing guidelines and statutory requirements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.