In The States – Page 217 – Weekly news about states

Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has asked NACDS how pharmacies are billing insurances/payers for the COVID-19 home/point-of-care testing devices able to be purchased at pharmacy locations. In specific the department wants to know if the billings are through the payer’s medical benefit for a medical claim. CMS recently released some guidance requiring State Medicaid and CHIP programs to cover these home COVID testing solutions.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-10T10:28:13-04:00September 10, 2021|Michigan|

Missouri

The Department of Health and Senior Services is now offering two options for free COVID-19 testing: (1) in-person testing events hosted around the state www.health.mo.gov/communitytest; and (2) residents may order a free PCR test kits mailed to their Missouri address with a return FedEx shipping container, with results emailed back within 48 hours www.health.mo.gov/communitytest.

Also in Missouri, Gov. Mike Parson (R) issued a new COVID-19 State of Emergency declaration focusing on the healthcare system and recovery from COVID-19, extending the order here to December 31, 2021.

Finally in Missouri, the Department of Commerce and Insurance issued a revised COVID waiver updated by the Board of Pharmacy to include the Remote Data Entry waiver approved by the Governor. Current Board rule 20 CSR 2220-2.725 allows qualified pharmacy technicians/intern pharmacists to perform remote data entry from home or at an in-state non-pharmacy location. The COVID-19 Remote Data Entry waiver allows pharmacy technicians/intern pharmacists to also perform remote data entry at a site that is not located in Missouri, if authorized by the supervising pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians/intern pharmacists may perform remote data entry at a non-Missouri location in compliance with 20 CSR 2220-2.725 while the COVID-19 waiver is in effect (Missouri locations are authorized by 20 CSR 2220-2.725).

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-10T10:26:46-04:00September 10, 2021|Missouri|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services is moving to an internet-based licensing system called LANCE (Nebraska Licensing and Certification Environment) in late 2021 with full implementation planned in 2022.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-10T10:25:34-04:00September 10, 2021|Nebraska|

New Jersey

Governor Phil Murphy (D) recently signed into law two opioid proposals. The first is AB 5595 which requires the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs to include opioid antidotes on the list of prescription drugs provided to pharmacies and then requires pharmacies to include opioid antidotes on its prescription drug retail price list available to customers. Governor Murphy also signed into law AB 5703 which requires coverage for an opioid antidote without imposing prior authorization requirements.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-10T10:24:18-04:00September 10, 2021|New Jersey|

Oklahoma

The Board of Pharmacy announced a new committee to evaluate and update rules for technicians administering immunizations. Interested persons need to email a letter of interest and resume to pharmacy@pharmacy.ok.gov.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-10T10:23:13-04:00September 10, 2021|Oklahoma|

South Carolina

SCDHHS offers free monthly training workshops for providers. These recurring virtual workshops cover a variety of topics including training on Medicaid basics, how to submit claims using the web-based tool and third-party liability (TPL). To register for a workshop, please visit the Medicaid eLearning site, www.medicaidelearning.com, or call (888) 289-0709 and select option 1. Additional training resources for providers are also available online through the Medicaid eLearning site. You can find a complete schedule of provider workshops here.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-10T10:21:24-04:00September 10, 2021|South Carolina|

Texas

Having achieved passing the election integrity law, the second special legislative session adjourned on September 2. Gov. Abbott (R) announced a third special session on redistricting will convene on September 20, 2021.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-10T10:18:38-04:00September 10, 2021|Texas|

Alabama

The Alabama Medicaid Agency’s (Medicaid) new Medical and Quality Review Services Contractor, Kepro, will begin reviewing prior authorization (PA) requests, hospice, nursing home, ICF-IID, PEC, and swing bed records on October 1, 2021. Kepro will review PA requests with dates of October 1, 2021, and after. Kepro will NOT review pharmacy, dental or radiology PAs.

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

Michael Silber2021-09-03T08:51:18-04:00September 3, 2021|Alabama|

California

The Department of Health Care Services issued an All Plan providing guidance to Medi-Cal managed care health plans related to the Medi-Cal COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Program. Effective September 1, participating Medi-Cal managed care health plans may be eligible to participate in the Medi-Cal COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Program.

In California, the Board of Pharmacy published an updated list of prescribers (effective August 27) whose authority to prescribe controlled substances has been restricted by the Medical Board of California. This information is intended to prevent dispensing of controlled substances prescribed by restricted prescribers.

Also in California, the Department of Consumer Affairs issued several waiver extensions including the following. A list of current waivers is available on the DCA website.

Also in California, NACDS and the California Retailers Association sent a joint letter to the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Board of Pharmacy and Governor’s Office requesting a pharmacy law waiver to allow pharmacy technicians to administer flu vaccines to adults.  We await a response from DCA.

Lastly in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) published its Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin (September 1).  This month’s issue includes changes to the Contract Drugs List, effective September 1, and Medi-Cal Rx Provider Training Information. As a reminder, full Medi-Cal Rx implementation is scheduled to go-live January 1, 2022 moving the prescription drug benefit from Medi-Cal managed care to Medi-Cal fee-for-service. Please review opportunities for training.

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

Michael Silber2021-09-03T08:50:44-04:00September 3, 2021|California|