Colorado
Health First Colorado is paying for up to 15 COVID-19 home tests per member each month when provided by an enrolled pharmacy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
District of Columbia
Medicaid has scheduled the virtual quarterly pharmacy forum on March 15 from 1-2pm and March 16 from 10-11:30 pm and are “highly encouraging” attendance. Click here to RSVP and receive the log in information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Human Services reports pharmacies and grocer/pharmacies may see an increase in demand for Neocate formula and nutritionals with the recent recall of Abbott’s EleCare and EleCare Junior products. Some participants who were prescribed EleCare have had their prescriptions adjusted and will now be coming to pharmacies with requests for Neocate products.
Click here for a copy of the IDHS Notice. For ordering information click here
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Indiana
The Department of Health (IDOH) and the Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) announced that they are making changes to the Vaccines for Children (VFC) policy to allow pharmacies to easily enroll in the program, effective March 14, 2022. The maximum allowable reimbursement for the administration of a VFC vaccine will be consistent with reimbursement for vaccines administered by medical providers, which is currently $15.00.
Also in Indiana, effective February 1, 2022, IHCP began reimbursing pharmacies for dispensing FDA approved COVID19 test kits at home, with a limit of two tests per 7 days per member under a statewide standing order.
Also in Indiana, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s (FSSA) Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning provided updates to the opioid utilization prior authorization (PA) criteria’s maximum allowable daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME) effective for claims with dates of service (DOS) on or after April 1, 2022.
Finally in Indiana, HB 1158, legislation that would allow a pharmacy technician to administer any vaccines delegated by a pharmacist, passed the House and is pending in the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Iowa
The Department of Human Services published the following:
- INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2314-MC-FFS-CVD: This informational letter provides guidance to providers on billing for COVID-19 OTC home testing. This policy will remain in effect for the duration of the public health emergency.
- INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2315-MC-FFS-CVD: On February 3, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed the final extension to the state’s Public Health Disaster Emergency Proclamation that announced the Public Health Disaster Emergency would expire on February 15 at 11:59 p.m. Please note: The end of the state’s Public Health Disaster Emergency does not impact Medicaid flexibilities currently in place.
Also in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy will meet on March 1 via Zoom and in-person; the meeting agenda has been posted.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Kansas
HB 200, legislation expanding the pharmacist’s scope of practice to include initiation of therapy for influenza, strep throat and urinary tract infection pursuant to a statewide protocol adopted by the collaborative drug therapy management advisory committee, passed the Senate by a vote of 37-2. It was referred to the House Health and Human Service Committee for further action.
Also in Kansas, legislation that would establish a joint committee on pharmacy workplace conditions and patient safety to conduct a study and issue a report to the legislature was referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee. HB 2698
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Louisiana
The Board of Pharmacy unanimously approved supporting filing legislation on collaborative practice agreements, statewide protocols for patient care services, requiring PBM licensing and a bill that would add pharmacy interns and certified pharmacy technicians as authorized immunizers, and reducing the age threshold from 7 to 3 years and older for influenza immunizations and from 17 to 3 years and older for all other immunizations. The legislature convenes on March 14th.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed into law on February 23 three bills — HB 4348, HB 4351, and HB 4352 aimed at lowering the costs of prescription drugs, ensure that pharmacists can provide advice to patients about treatment options, and provide oversight and transparency for pharmacy benefit managers. The laws will require that PBMs be licensed with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services. In addition, the legislation provides government oversight on pharmacy audits and appeals with help from state regulators. The law takes effect January 1, 2024
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Minnesota
The Department of Health has published a weekly covid vaccine providers report. To subscribe to it click here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.