In The States – Page 212 – Weekly news about states

Texas

NACDS provided comments encouraging the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) to include in their FY 2023-2027 strategic plan statute and rule changes to permanently codify the scope of practice expansion authorized under the PREP Act for all pharmacy personnel, and to further modernize scope of practice for Texas pharmacists to allow for practices now authorized in other states. We also urged the Board to modernize their in-person counseling rules to permanently allow the option of telephonic counseling that has allowed pharmacies to deploy innovative workflow models to meet increased patient demand for pharmacy services.

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

Erica Joyner2021-10-01T12:13:27-04:00October 1, 2021|Texas|

Washington

The Health Care Authority’s (HCA) Apple Health (Medicaid) announced that they are implementing changes to the State Maximum Allowable Costs (SMAC) list for the fee-for-service (FFS) Prescription Drug Program on November 1, 2021.

Also in Washington, HCA is publishing quarterly updates to billing guides starting on October 1, 2021.

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

Erica Joyner2021-10-01T12:12:31-04:00October 1, 2021|Washington|

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) currently are engaged in logistical planning for how assisted living facilities (ALF) will access COVID-19 booster doses.

DHS and PSW are asking pharmacy partners to please fill out a short survey to guide Wisconsin’s strategy around booster dose planning for this critical population. Fill out the survey here.

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

Erica Joyner2021-10-01T12:11:30-04:00October 1, 2021|Wisconsin|

Alabama

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid) temporarily ceased revalidation for providers. Medicaid has now resumed revalidation for providers. Affected providers may contact the Gainwell Provider Enrollment Unit at 1-888-223-3630 and speak to a Provider Enrollment Specialist. To learn more about the revalidation process please visit www.medicaid.alabama.gov, select the ‘Providers’ tab, then click on ‘Provider Enrollment‘ to view details. If a provider does not revalidate their enrollment, it will result in the provider enrollment being closed which can cause patients to not receive medications.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T13:17:25-04:00September 24, 2021|Alabama|

Alaska

As a result of federal funding available to the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (CBPL) to offset certain administrative costs of running the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), the Division is recommending decreasing the PDMP fee to zero. Written comments must be received not later than 4:30 p.m. on October 22, 2021, NACDS will not be commenting on this issue. Comments must be addressed to CBPL Regulations Specialist, PO Box 110806, Juneau, AK 99811 or regulationsandpubliccomment@alaska.gov.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T13:16:24-04:00September 24, 2021|Alaska|

Arizona

NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy stating support for the proposed rules allowing pharmacists to delegate additional nondiscretionary tasks to pharmacy technicians, including the technical act of administering vaccines and performing other tasks that a pharmacy technician is trained to perform.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T13:15:31-04:00September 24, 2021|Arizona|

Arkansas

Arkansas lawmakers will return to the Capitol on September 29th to finalize the redistricting maps and conclude the regular session. Gov. Asa Hutchinson is waiting on legislators to reach a consensus on tax reform before calling a special session.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T13:14:19-04:00September 24, 2021|Arkansas|

Colorado

NACDS submitted a comment letter (View comment letter here) to the Board of Pharmacy recommending they maintain the existing Prescription Drug Monitoring Program rule language requiring reporting of dispensing transaction data “no later than the outlet’s next regular business day.”

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T13:13:23-04:00September 24, 2021|Colorado|

Delaware

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency issued an Emergency Order effective immediately recognizing qualified pharmacy technicians’ authority to immunize 19 and older adults for the flu.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T13:12:28-04:00September 24, 2021|Delaware|