In The States – Page 224 – Weekly news about states

Arkansas

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) convened a special session on August 4th to possibly amend a law passed earlier this year banning statewide mask mandates (Act 1002). Specifically, the Governor is asking the Legislature to create an exemption that will give public school boards flexibility to issue mask mandates to protect school children who are under 12 years old and are not eligible for a vaccine. Hutchinson reiterated that there will not be a statewide mask mandate. A second item added to the call was for the legislature to affirm the decision made by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Service to end the state’s participation in the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Pandemic Extended Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) programs that was paying unemployed workers $300 a week to stay home.

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

Michael Silber2021-08-06T13:26:17-04:00August 6, 2021|Arkansas|

California

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

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) published its Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin (August 1). This month’s issue including information about the full Medi-Cal Rx implementation on January 1, 2022 moving the prescription drug benefit from Medi-Cal managed care to Medi-Cal fee-for-service, updates to the Contract Drug List (effective August 1) and changes to Provider Enrollment Division (PED) to include a new PED Online Inquiry Form.

Also in California, the DHSC issued ALL PLAN LETTER 20-022 (REVISED) to all Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plans to provide updated information and guidance related to COVID-19 vaccine coverage and administration in the Medi-Cal program. The DHCS is following California’s COVID-19 vaccination plan as approved by the state’s Department of Public Health.

Finally in California, the DHCS distributed COVID-19 vaccine awareness materials developed by state’s Department of Public Health. There are two versions of the cards with one “Top 5 FAQs for Parents” and the other “Top 5 FAQs”.

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

Michael Silber2021-08-06T13:25:39-04:00August 6, 2021|California|

Florida

The Florida Division of Disease Control intends to amend regulations under FAC 64D-3 to establish reporting requirements for all practitioners and enrolled coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine providers administering such vaccines.

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

Michael Silber2021-08-06T13:24:51-04:00August 6, 2021|Florida|

Louisiana

The Department of Health (LDH) hosted a virtual pharmacy stakeholder meeting on August 2nd to discuss the scope of the Cost of Dispensing (COD) survey and their timeline for completion. Myers and Stauffer presented https://www.nacds.org/ceo/2021/0806/LA%20PPT%202021%20LDH%20COD%20stakeholder%20meeting.pdf

and fielded questions. They agreed to accept feedback on the survey instrument https://www.nacds.org/ceo/2021/0806/2021_LA_proposed_survey_tool.pdf and survey process through August 12th, and then collaborate with LDH to finalize the survey tool. Pharmacies should receive the survey by the end of August.

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

Michael Silber2021-08-06T13:24:13-04:00August 6, 2021|Louisiana|

Mississippi

The Mississippi Board of Pharmacy amended regulations under Title 30, Part 3001, Article XXXI, to clarify that a compounding certificate becomes inactive if a pharmacy fails to compound any prescription during a calendar year. The rule is effective Aug. 7, 2021.

Also in Mississippi, the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy amended regulations under Title 30, Part 3001, Article XXXI, to clarify requirements for initiation and/or modification of drug therapy under a protocol agreement. The rule is effective Aug. 7, 2021.

Finally, the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy adopted regulations under Title 30, Part 3002, Chapter 8, to establish requirements and procedures for background checks for applicants for a board license, registration, or permit. The final rule addresses petitions for determination, determination factors and disqualifying crimes, and the disqualifying determination notification. The rule is effective Aug. 8, 2021.

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

Michael Silber2021-08-06T13:23:35-04:00August 6, 2021|Mississippi|

Missouri

The state Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Medicaid Expansion Amendment 2 approved by voters in August of 2020 is constitutional. Previously, Gov. Mike Parson’s (R) administration announced that it would not enroll the Expansion population because the Legislature’s did not provide additional funding. As a result of the court decision, Mo HealthNet (Medicaid) will move forward on Expansion.

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

Michael Silber2021-08-06T13:23:01-04:00August 6, 2021|Missouri|

North Carolina

NC Medicaid has received reports of confusion in the field by providers and pharmacies when members do not present an ID card or when presented with a Medicaid member ID card that differs from the data shown in the NCTracks system. To mitigate any confusion associated with newly issued Medicaid Managed Care member ID cards, providers and pharmacies should always use NCTracks Recipient Eligibility Verification/Response to confirm eligibility and not rely solely on the information shown on a Member ID Card. Health plans are required to generate an identification card for each Member enrolled in their health plan that contains the Member’s North Carolina Medicaid or NC Health Choice Identification number. Some health plans also include their health plan member ID as well. However, member ID cards are not required to provide service, and this includes pharmacies as well. Therefore, members should not be turned away due to the lack of a Member ID card in their possession. For more information, please see the Medicaid bulletin Confirming Medicaid Coverage for Beneficiaries.

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

Michael Silber2021-08-06T13:22:20-04:00August 6, 2021|North Carolina|

Oregon

The Board of Pharmacy will meet on August 11-12; meeting materials have been posted online.

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

Michael Silber2021-08-06T13:21:42-04:00August 6, 2021|Oregon|

Pennsylvania

The Department of State (DOS) has issued a memo detailing the expiration dates of the professional waivers granted during the state of emergency that will expire on or before the Sept. 30 expiration of the state of emergency. Beginning August 17, the DOS will rescind waivers in several phases, starting with the waivers that have already served their purpose in pandemic response but have not been formally rescinded. Members can find a list of all the waivers and their expiration dates on the DOS website, which can also be searched by profession. NACDS is currently engaged with in-state partners, the Administration and General Assembly in recommending that critical pharmacy waivers be made permanent.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2021-08-06T13:21:02-04:00August 6, 2021|Pennsylvania|