In The States – Page 161 – Weekly news about states

Iowa

The Board of Pharmacy published the following rulemaking.

Adopted (effective August 31, 2022)
- ARC 6416C adopted and amends Chapter 3, “Pharmacy Technicians”, and Chapter 6, “General Pharmacy Practice” related to pharmacist delegation of technical functions.
- ARC 6417C adopted and amends Chapter 8, “Universal Practice Standards”, and Chapter 19, “Nonresident Pharmacy Practice”
- ARC 6418C adopted and amends Chapter 12, “Precursor Substances”

Notice of Intended Action (Comments may be submitted until 4:30 p.m. on August 16, 2022.)

- ARC 6421C amends Chapter 23, “Care Facility Pharmacy Practice”.
- ARC 6422C amends Chapter 41, “Outsourcing Facilities”.
- ARC 6423C amends Chapter 14, “Public Information and Inspection of Records”.
- ARC 6424C amends Chapter 12, “Precursor Substances”.
- ARC 6425C amends Chapter 10, “Controlled Substances”.

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

Erica Joyner2022-08-05T09:41:58-04:00August 5, 2022|Iowa|

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts legislature completed, and Governor Charlie Baker (R) signed into law the state budget — HB (House Bill) 5500, which included several provisions of interest to pharmacies.

Mandatory Reporting by PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager) for State Agency Managed Care Contracts. The report must be filed with the Legislature by February 15, 2023, on the financial performance of the managed care and accountable care organizations, as well as their effectiveness in serving the MassHealth recipients.

Funding for Public Awareness Campaign Relative to Prescriptions for Contraceptives

Funding for Programs to Combat Opioid Addiction

Expanding Protection for Reproductive Rights – This law provides legal protections for Massachusetts health care providers, including pharmacists, from prosecution by out-of-state jurisdictions for legally protected health care and reproductive health care services and products, including contraceptives, provided in Massachusetts to out-of-state residents. This language protects these providers from criminal prosecution and associated civil lawsuits from states that prohibit access to legal health care and reproductive health services and products. This bill also provides for one statewide standing order to be issued to authorize the dispensing of emergency contraception by licensed pharmacists. This language would replace

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

Erica Joyner2022-08-05T09:40:53-04:00August 5, 2022|Massachusetts|

Mississippi

The Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM) is in the process of implementing a new Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) – which will include a new Provider Portal – known as MESA: Medicaid Enterprise System Assistance. The new system, going live at the beginning of October, is being developed by Gainwell Technologies.

Before switching over to the new system, every Medicaid-enrolled provider, clearing house or billing services vendor that currently submits electronic data transactions (for example, filing claims) to DOM must undergo Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) registration and testing with Gainwell Technologies. This process for ensuring the secure transmission of electronic information is required of all states when implementing a new system.

Medicaid providers are asked to identify their designated staff member, someone who is already involved in the submission of claims or other electronic transactions within the current provider portal, and direct them to this page on DOM’s website:

This also applies to any trading partner or billing services vendor that submits claims on behalf of a provider.

The website provides step-by-step instructions and supporting materials on how to register as a trading partner through an online portal and test electronic transactions. Providers are asked to begin this process as soon as time allows.

If providers have any questions about which representatives should be designated to follow these steps, please contact Gainwell’s Help Desk at MS_EDI_Helpdesk@dxc.com.

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

Erica Joyner2022-08-05T09:39:18-04:00August 5, 2022|Mississippi|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on September 7 at noon (Central). Call details will be posted at this website one week before the call. Also, a recording of the August 3 COVID-19 provider call is now available.

Also in Nebraska, the DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services) posted the COVID-19 Fee Schedule July 2022 (Revised 7.28.22).

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

Erica Joyner2022-08-05T09:37:30-04:00August 5, 2022|Nebraska|

New York

Governor Kathy Hochul (D) issued an executive order that declares a state of emergency due to the spread of the monkeypox virus and directs all relevant state agencies to assist local governments in responding to the outbreak.

The executive order grants healthcare providers, including pharmacists, emergency permission to administer monkeypox vaccines through August 28, 2022.

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

Erica Joyner2022-08-05T09:36:04-04:00August 5, 2022|New York|

Oregon

The Board of Pharmacy issued a Public Meeting Notice and published the agenda and meeting materials for its next meeting to be held August 10-12, 2022.

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

Erica Joyner2022-08-05T09:34:11-04:00August 5, 2022|Oregon|

South Carolina

Don’t miss the FREE module on preventing Type 2 Diabetes in South Carolina. This course is designed to help you use the South Carolina Provider Toolkit to evaluate, test, treat and refer patients with prediabetes to an in-person or online evidence-based diabetes prevention program. To learn more, click here to view the flyer.

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

Erica Joyner2022-08-05T09:31:47-04:00August 5, 2022|South Carolina|

Tennessee

TennCare is abandoning plans to set limits on some prescription drugs. This change comes after advocacy groups voiced concerns for low-income patients whose medication access may be limited.

Also in Tennessee, the Tennessee Pharmacy Association (TPA) wants to hear from you! If you are a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, please take their 2022 Needs Assessment to share your educational needs and your interest in diverse types of educational programming.

TPA’s “COVID-19 Updates: Paxlovid Prescribing and Best Practices for Vaccinating under 5” Webinar on Wednesday, August 10, 12-1pm CT, will provide the most current COVID updates.

Finally in Tennessee, updated versions of the PDL (Preferred Drug List), criteria PDL, and interim criteria PDL as well as the monthly provider notice for August 2022 can be found here.

The updates below became effective 8/1/2022:

Vimpat moved from preferred to non-preferred
ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone otic suspension moved from non-preferred to preferred
Sirturo was added to as non-preferred

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

Erica Joyner2022-08-05T09:30:48-04:00August 5, 2022|Tennessee|

Texas

The Board of Pharmacy posted new guidelines clarifying the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) mandatory lookup requirements in integrated health records for pharmacists checking a patient’s controlled substance history before dispensing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates or carisoprodol.

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

Erica Joyner2022-08-05T09:28:44-04:00August 5, 2022|Texas|