HEA 1169, legislation allowing pharmacy technicians to immunize all vaccines delegated by a pharmacist and to do verbal transfers was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcolm (R) on March 15, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy issued its March 2022 newsletter that includes the following articles:
Also in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy posted is January 11, 2022 Meeting Minutes. Interesting stats related to the Pharmacist Narcan® Dispensing Program, Pharmacist Disposal Kit Dispensing Program and Board -Sponsored Medication Disposal are reported on Page 6. “Rules and Legislation” section appears on pages 7-8.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Two Senate bills advancing of interest to pharmacies were amended and are now pending action by the full House. SB 200 allows pharmacists to test and initiate therapy for strep, flu, and urinary tract infections under protocols developed and approved by the Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Advisory Committee. SB 28 requires PBMs (Pharmacy Benefits Managers) to be licensed and regulated by the Insurance Department. It also addresses MAC (Maximum Allowable Cost) pricing and delineates what items a PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager) can request during a MAC appeal. If these bills pass the House, they will be returned to the Senate for ultimate action to concur with the House changes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Legislation that makes permanent provisions granted under the PREP (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness) Act filed by Rep. Chris Turner (R) will be heard in the House Health and Welfare Committee on Wednesday morning, March 23 at 9:30 AM. HB 474 will allow the pharmacist, pharmacy intern and pharmacy technician, without a patient specific prescription or medical order, to administer all vaccines to anyone three years old and older.
Also in Louisiana, Gov John Bel Edwards (D) announced that he would NOT renew the COVID-19 public health emergency order that expired on March 16th. The Board of Pharmacy (Board) issued a guidance document listing all the current interim policies and their expiration dates.
At their May 11th meeting, the Board will consider whether to terminate or further extend any interim policies. Three of the policies (identified in guidance document) were based on the federal declaration of emergency as opposed to the state declaration of emergency. Since the federal declaration of emergency is still in effect, the expiration dates for those three interim policies were extended for the duration of the federal public health emergency.
Of particular importance to many pharmacies and pharmacists is the authority provided by the federal PREP Act Declaration and its subsequent amendments for pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 tests and therapeutics. For as long as the federal public health emergency and PREP Act Declaration are in place and not modified, that authority remains in effect.
Finally in Louisiana, all providers who file claims with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), including pharmacy providers and immunizing pharmacists, are reminded that they must enroll in the new Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal to continue being reimbursed. All existing providers must log in and submit an enrollment through the portal. LDH had requested a deadline extension from March 31st to June 30, 2022, but it is still pending approval from CMS, so providers are encouraged to act now to complete enrollments so that their claims will not be denied.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Massachusetts Medicaid, MassHealth, released its March Pharmacy Facts which includes updates for pharmacy providers on MassHealth policy.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
At the Michigan Pharmacy Provider Liaison Quarterly Meeting. Discussion focused on clarifications of several policy documents. The next pharmacy liaison meeting will be held on June 9.
Final Policies Issued
HASA 22-02: COVID-19 Response: Coverage of FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Injections by Pharmacy Providers
Published L-Letters
L 22-05: Clarification of Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS)
Record Retention
L 22-04: Additional Guidance and Clarification for the Coverage of COVID- 19 Prevention, Treatment, and Support Services.
Proposed Policy:
2156-Pharmacy: Signature Log and Proof of Delivery Requirements
2202-Pharmacy: COVID-19 Response: Coverage of U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Injections by Pharmacy Providers
2155-Pharmacy: Update to Contraceptive Supply Limit
Web Announcements:
Summary of Michigan Single PDL (Preferred Drug List) Changes – effective 2/01/2022 https://michigan.magellanrx.com/provider/external/medicaid/mi/doc/en us/MIRx PDL changes.pdf
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) issued a standing order on March 15th signed by the state Epidemiologist, Dr. George Turabelidze, enabling individuals to receive coverage for purchased tests for SARS-CoV-2. This policy authorizes Missouri pharmacies to charge an individual’s insurance carrier, whether it is private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare coverage, for COVID-19 testing. Additional state testing resources are available at health.mo.gov/communitytest.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health and Human Services posted the fee schedule for COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibodies effective March 11.
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on April 6 at noon (Central). This webpage also includes links to notes and audio recordings of previous calls.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Board of Pharmacy issued its March 2022 newsletter that includes the following articles:
Also in Oregon, as the state enters a new phase of the pandemic, the Oregon Health Authority announced its five-point plan, “Oregon RISE: Resilience in Support of Equity.”
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.