In The States – Page 189 – Weekly news about states

Louisiana

Referencing the federal law and regulations, the Board of Pharmacy’s Regulation Revision Committee sent to the full Board for final consideration at the February 16 meeting draft CLIA guidelines confirming that properly credentialed pharmacies may perform moderately complex lab testing.

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) Bureau of Health Services Financing issued a Provider Update on reimbursement for COVID-19 booster shots and third doses for Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). Effective January 18th, Louisiana Medicaid will reimburse enrolled pharmacies for the administration fee or $37.08 or billed charges, and not for the ingredient for COVID-19 vaccines. No dispensing fee shall be reimbursed.

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

Michael Silber2022-01-14T14:46:17-05:00January 14, 2022|Louisiana|

Maryland

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) has released its report on the impact of Rutledge v. PCMA and the subsequent Webhi decision on Maryland law and the MIA’s ability to regulate Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) and their relationship with pharmacies in Maryland. The report was mandated by the passage of HB 601 of 2021. It concluded that, should the legislature pass legislation regulating PBMs when providing services to an ERISA plan, ERISA would not preempt the MIA’s enforcement of those laws. The report also provides a summary of previously passed laws related to PBMs in Maryland and MIA’s current methods of enforcing them. The report cites comments from NACDS and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores submitted last fall, which highlighted examples of pro-pharmacy laws that align with the Rutledge decision.

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

Michael Silber2022-01-14T14:44:59-05:00January 14, 2022|Maryland|

Missouri

Gov. Parson’s (R) ended the COVID-19 State of Emergency on December 31, 2021, ending all remaining COVID-19 related waivers authorized under EO 21-09. The Board of Pharmacy issued guidance on the expiration of the Emergency Declaration.

Also in Missouri, the Department of Social Services MO Health Net (Medicaid) clarified reimbursement for COVID-19 antiviral treatment. Pharmacy providers filling prescriptions for Paxlovid or molnupiravir will be reimbursed the current professional dispensing fee at the time the prescription is dispensed. For pharmacies to receive the full dispensing fee, the Usual & Customary charge submitted to MO HealthNet must be more than the current professional dispensing fee. Non-pharmacy providers such as clinics, hospitals, and ERs do not receive a professional dispensing fee.

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

Michael Silber2022-01-14T14:43:49-05:00January 14, 2022|Missouri|

Nebraska

Effective January 1, 2022, prescribers shall use electronic prescription technology for controlled substance prescriptions with exceptions.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on January 19 at noon (Central). 

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

Michael Silber2022-01-14T14:43:09-05:00January 14, 2022|Nebraska|

New Hampshire

The Board of Pharmacy is accepting comments on proposed revisions of the unused drugs program. Comments are due by February 16, 2022.

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

Michael Silber2022-01-14T14:42:11-05:00January 14, 2022|New Hampshire|

New Jersey

The Board of Pharmacy has adopted regulations on opioid warning labels. These regulations are effective January 3, 2022.

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

Michael Silber2022-01-14T14:40:48-05:00January 14, 2022|New Jersey|

New Mexico

The Department of Health renewed the order requiring wearing masks indoors.

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

Michael Silber2022-01-14T14:39:50-05:00January 14, 2022|New Mexico|

New York

The New York State Department of Health has proposed to amend regulations to limit the Medicaid fee for service prescriptions to a maximum of 11 refills within a 12-month issuance. Comments are due by March 6, 2022.

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

Michael Silber2022-01-14T14:39:09-05:00January 14, 2022|New York|

North Carolina

The January 18th Board meeting will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. You will be able to join the meeting either by downloading the Microsoft Teams app or you may open the link in a web browser. Simply click on this link at the start of the meeting. If you prefer to attend the meeting by phone, call (336) 604-5350. The conference ID is 907 040 796#. You may view the agenda here.

Also in North Carolina, NC Medicaid is increasing the reimbursement for COVID vaccine administration from $40 to $65. The effective date of the rate change will be retroactive to April 1, 2021. All claims previously submitted with dates of service from April 1, 2021, through the NCTracks implementation date of the rate change will be systematically reprocessed. No action will be required by providers to receive the retroactive rate increase.

Finally in North Carolina, the Board of Pharmacy issued the following guidance regarding the role of pharmacists in oral therapeutics to treat COVID-19.

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

Michael Silber2022-01-14T14:38:33-05:00January 14, 2022|North Carolina|