In The States – Page 183 – Weekly news about states

Oregon

The Board of Pharmacy adopted the following:

Division 007 – related to Emergency Registration Designation effective March 30 through September 25.
Division 007 – related to 91-day Extension after a Declared Health Emergency Ends effective March 29 through September 24.
Division 110 – related to Supervising Physician Dispensing Outlet fees effective March 31 (permanent).

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted its agenda and meeting materials for its next meeting scheduled for April 13-15.

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

Michael Silber2022-04-01T12:10:03-04:00April 1, 2022|Oregon|

Notice from TennCare, prior authorization (PA) requirements can be bypassed for certain medications when specific medical conditions exist. Those specific medications and diagnoses can be found here. Prescribers are encouraged to include the applicable diagnosis code on written prescriptions for inclusion on the electronic pharmacy claim. The submitted claim should include a Diagnosis Code Qualifier (Field # 492- WE) of “02,” indicating ICD-10, as well as the appropriate Diagnosis Code (Field # 424-DO). Note: A list of the preferred agents and the clinical criteria can be found here.

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

Michael Silber2022-04-01T12:03:29-04:00April 1, 2022|Tennessee|

Texas

The Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) issued a reminder notice on the proper destruction and disposal of prescription medications. For dangerous drugs destruction, a TSBP licensed pharmacist is authorized to destroy stock so that it is unfit for human consumption and disposed of in compliance with all applicable state and federal requirements.

Also in Texas, TSBP’s COVID website includes a chart comparing the authorizations in the PREP Act amendments with the Texas statutes and rules.

Finally in Texas, the Health, and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) issued the biannual specialty drug list. Members should contact vdp-formulary@hhsc.state.tx.us with comments or any questions.

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

Michael Silber2022-04-01T12:00:08-04:00April 1, 2022|Texas|

Vermont

The Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) is implementing changes to its prescription drug benefits programs to ensure Medicaid patients continue to have access to the medications they need for conditions related to COVID-19. The changes center around copayments, prescription instructions, and approved medication treatments.

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

Michael Silber2022-04-01T11:58:20-04:00April 1, 2022|Vermont|

Washington

The Health Care Authority (HCA) is publishing quarterly updates to many of the Apple Health billing guides and fee schedules, effective April 1, 2022.

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

Michael Silber2022-04-01T11:55:41-04:00April 1, 2022|Washington|

West Virginia

Governor Justice (R) has signed two bills aimed at the regulation of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). SB 312 provides legislative approval for Rules promulgated by the Insurance Commission to enact HB 2263 of 2021, landmark legislation that sets a reimbursement floor and provides a level playing field for community pharmacy. HB 4112 provides for pharmacy freedom of choice for specialty drugs, addresses 340B programs and will be effective for policies executed, amended or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2023.

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

Michael Silber2022-04-01T11:52:03-04:00April 1, 2022|West Virginia|

Alabama

All previously published expiration dates related to the COVID-19 emergency are once again extended by the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid). The new expiration date is the earlier of April 30, 2022, the conclusion of the COVID-19 national emergency, or any expiration date noticed by Medicaid through a subsequent alert.

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

Michael Silber2022-03-25T11:54:35-04:00March 25, 2022|Alabama|

Arkansas

Since methamphetamine is currently the states’ greatest drug threat, the Department of Human Services (DHS) launched the “Me Over Meth” prevention campaign.

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

Michael Silber2022-03-25T11:53:47-04:00March 25, 2022|Arkansas|

California

The Board of Pharmacy issued an Amended Waiver: Staffing Ratio of Pharmacists to Intern Pharmacists and General Supervision and Interprofessional Supervision – Immunizations – BPC section 4114.

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services issued Stakeholder News that it is still accepting claims for individuals enrolled in the COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program. The COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program will end the last day of the calendar month in which the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ends. For questions or concerns, please email COVID19Apps@dhcs.ca.gov.

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

Michael Silber2022-03-25T11:53:18-04:00March 25, 2022|California|