To help combat phony vaccination cards, the Department of Health (WSDH) created a guide Verifying Vaccination Cards to help verify COVID-19 vaccination record cards. If a patient presents a vaccine card that is fake, report it to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General and the Washington State Office of the Attorney General (ATG).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Effective September 2, 2021, Governor Kay Ivey (R) issued a supplemental state of emergency proclamation for Hurricane Ida evacuees. The proclamation increases the allowable emergency supply of prescription medications that may be refilled from a 72-hour supply to a 30-day supply. Emergency prescription refills may be dispensed only if certain conditions apply. Please read the full proclamation for details. The proclamation is written in such a manner that an emergency rule from the Alabama Board of Pharmacy is not required.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
In an emergency meeting, the Board of Pharmacy voted to re-instate the remote processing waiver until December 31 or 30 days after the emergency declaration is lifted, whichever is later. NACDS and the California Retailers Association submitted a joint letter requesting the board to take this action in accordance with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) Executive Order N-39-20 to reissue the remote processing waiver that expired on June 30, 2021.
Also in California, due to Cache Fire, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declared a state of emergency on September 7, 2021, in Lake County. The Board of Pharmacy issued an alert reminding pharmacies and pharmacists of provisions in Business and Professions Code section 4062 and section 4064 to help provide prescriptions for displaced residents.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) will hold its virtual Quarterly Pharmacy Provider Forum on September 21 from 10-12am and September 22 from 1-3pm. The content for both is identical. To RSVP and receive the meeting link contact Allison Williams.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Effective 10-1-21 WellCare of Florida, Inc. d/b/a Staywell Health Plan of Florida, Inc. (Staywell) Members will Transfer to Sunshine State Health Plan, Inc. (Sunshine). The WellCare of Florida, Inc. d/b/a Staywell Health Plan of Florida, Inc. (Staywell) legal entity will be merging with Sunshine State Health Plan, Inc. (Sunshine Health). The Agency for Health Care Administration will move Staywell’s Medicaid membership, including Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Specialty Plan membership, to the Sunshine Health plan effective October 1, 2021. In addition, Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Health Plan, which has been operated by WellCare through a contract with the Florida Department of Health, will be operated by Sunshine Health effective October 1, 2021. Sunshine Health will be issuing new Medicaid ID cards. All billing and claims reimbursement will be provided by Sunshine Health for dates of service beginning October 1, 2021. All Staywell claims for service dates prior to October 1, 2021, must continue to be submitted through Staywell and related questions may be directed to Staywell at 1-866-334-7927 (TTY 711) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Providers that are out of network as of October 1, 2021, will be eligible for a 120-day continuity of care period where claims will be payable to allow time for members to transition to a new provider, if necessary. The continuity of care period ends on January 31, 2022.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) has signed SB2172, which amended the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act and specifically provides that beginning January 1, 2024 (rather than January 1, 2022), it must be the joint responsibility of a pharmacy and its pharmacist in charge to ensure that all new pharmacy technicians are educated and trained using a standard nationally accredited education and training program.
Also in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Additional Instructions for COVID-19 Vaccine 3rd Booster Dose. Additionally, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Chantix Shortage –Temporary Distribution of Apo-Varenicline 0.5 mg and 1 mg Tablets.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy posted its July 14 meeting minutes on the meeting webpage. In addition to the Board’s unanimous vote for Emergency Adoption and Notice of Intended Action to amend Chapter 3, “Pharmacy Technicians,” to provide minimum standards for technician immunization administration, the Board also unanimously voted to approve the amended Statewide Protocols for naloxone, nicotine-replacement tobacco cessation and immunization as presented. The Board also took other regulatory actions and discussed numerous updates.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Below are highlights from the September issue of the Board of Pharmacy newsletter. See the newsletter for details and more information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. Andy Beshear called the General Assembly into a special session to address issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The special session was required because of a Supreme Court ruling that lifted an injunction issued by Franklin Circuit Court that prohibited implementation of legislation that limited the governor’s authority during a declared state of emergency. Subsequently, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed HJR 1, which extended several executive orders, agency actions and administrative regulations until January 15, 2020. Of special interest to pharmacy, HJR 1 renewed the following:
The General Assembly continues to meet; further COVID-19 healthcare related measures are expected to receive consideration.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.