Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued a new COVID19 Bulletin dealing with booster vaccine rollout.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Missouri
The Department of Social Services MO HealthNet issued a bulletin announcing the Medicaid prescription reimbursement will be increased on October 1, 2021. In-state pharmacy providers will continue to receive a professional dispensing fee of $12.22, plus an adjustment to account for the cost of the Missouri Pharmacy Reimbursement Allowance attributable to Medicaid-reimbursed prescriptions. The professional dispensing fee plus the current adjusted amount will total $12.70. Out-of-state pharmacy providers will continue to receive a professional dispensing fee of $8.85.
Also in Missouri, effective September 1, 2021, MO HealthNet (Medicaid) started paying for transportation for Medicaid fee-for-service patients with an appointment at a pharmacy to receive vaccinations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nebraska
Effective October 1, all Medicaid beneficiaries will automatically receive full Medicaid benefits, including dental, vision and over-the-counter drugs as part of the Medicaid Expansion program. A new Medicaid card will not be needed for people who have current Medicaid coverage. Recall this change to the Medicaid Expansion program occurs as a result of the Department of Health and Human Services’ notice not to implement the Heritage Health Adult (HHS) demonstration that would have required engagement in wellness, personal responsibility and community engagement activities to quality for full Medicaid benefits.
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced the next weekly COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on October 6 at noon. Information to access the call has been posted on the DHHS website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
New York
The New York Health Commissioner approved the recommendations of the DUR Board developed at the July 2021 meeting. The meeting summary on the DOH website has been updated to include the Commissioner’s final determinations.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
North Carolina
The North Carolina General Assembly has passed, and Governor Cooper has signed into law, legislation that authorizes qualified immunizing pharmacists to administer long-acting injectable medications to patients age 18 and older pursuant to prescription. This new authority becomes effective on October 1, 2021. Board staff has prepared a guidance document that summarizes the new authority and how pharmacists may exercise it.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Ohio
Earlier this year, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced the selection of seven managed care organizations (MCOs) who will partner with the Department to provide Medicaid Services. The seven MCOs are: AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio, Inc.; Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Buckeye Community Health Plan; CareSource Ohio, Inc.; Humana Health Plan of Ohio, Inc.; Molina Healthcare of Ohio, Inc; and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio, Inc. Providers who are interested in contracting with them are encouraged to contact them. Contact information for the MCOs can be found on the Resources for Providers webpage of the next generation website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oklahoma
The Board of Pharmacy issued information regarding physician assistants (PA) prescribing Schedule II controlled substances prescriptions. For more information, contact pharmacy@pharmacy.ok.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Oregon
The Board of Pharmacy issued a notice requesting stakeholder fiscal impact information related to proposed requirements for “Proper Storage of Drugs”, “Remote Dispensing Site Pharmacies” and “Telework”. Note: The board reminds pharmacies that some information they may want to provide may be proprietary, and any information provided to the Board of Pharmacy becomes a public record. By October 6, please provide comments to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
Gov. Wolf (D) has signed a bill that extends COVID-19 related pharmacy waivers due to expire on September 30 until March 31, 2022. It does not extend the waivers that were already terminated by the Department of State prior to September 30th. Since this was a blanket extension of the current waivers, the bill did not go further than the state waivers to fill in the gaps to match the PREP Act allowances. We will continue advocating for the passage of bills that match the PREP Act.
Also in Pennsylvania, NACDS reminds members that beginning October 1, the state will cover copays for Naloxone prescriptions for patients hesitant to pick up the prescription due to cost, regardless of the type of insurance coverage. Please refer to the submission specifications and program bulletin for more information.
Also in Pennsylvania, the Board of Pharmacy has published proposed regulations providing for pharmacy technician registration based on Act 140 of 2020. Keeping in mind that any substantive changes will require legislation, please send any comments you may have to Jill McCormack by October 11.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.