In The States – Page 229 – Weekly news about states

Montana

The Board of Pharmacy held a full board conference call meeting on September 2 to discuss issuing an emergency rule to address pharmacy staffing shortages related to COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. As a result, the Board of Pharmacy adopted temporary emergency rules, effective September 14, 2021, and expiring on January 11, 2022, including the following:

Rule I: Temporary emergency suspension of pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio for purposes of vaccine activities and COVID-19 testing.
Rule II: Temporary emergency expansion of personnel who may work in a pharmacy or under the supervision of a pharmacist.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T13:07:35-04:00September 24, 2021|Montana|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services issued a Health Alert Network Update notifying healthcare providers and facilities that COVID-19 monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy has a new indication for post-exposure prophylaxis via emergency use authorization. As of September 13, the US Government began allocating mAb therapy; infusion sites will no longer order mAb therapy directly from distributors.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T13:06:28-04:00September 24, 2021|Nebraska|

Ohio

The Department of Health has issued two requests to pharmacies. The first asks that pharmacies review its list of participating vaccination providers and make changes if needed. The list is being shared with businesses to encourage them to contact a participating local provider to conduct onsite vaccination clinics. ODH is also asking pharmacies to fill out a survey related to children’s COVID vaccines to gauge vaccine provider availability. Survey participants also have the option to, and are encouraged to share with ODH, any barriers they might face to providing those vaccination opportunities to younger children, as well as any supports that could make vaccinating younger children more feasible.

Also in Ohio, earlier this year, ODM announced the selection of seven managed care organizations (MCOs) who will partner with the Department to evolve the delivery of managed care services for its more than 3 million members and thousands of medical providers. The seven MCOs selected for the next generation managed care program 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.
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio, Inc.

Providers who are interested in contracting with Ohio Medicaid’s next generation MCOs are encouraged to contact the MCOs. 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.

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T13:05:24-04:00September 24, 2021|Ohio|

Pennsylvania

The state has announced a new program that will reimburse pharmacies for Naloxone copays when the pharmacist believes the patient will be hesitant to pick up the prescription due to cost. The Naloxone Copay Assistance Program is funded through federal grants and will begin October 1, 2021. The program will run on the PACE platform; however, the program will reimburse a pharmacy up to $75 per claim for any patient regardless of their insurance plan. There are adjudication testing opportunities available prior to Oct 1. Should you wish to run test claims, please contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack. For more detail, see the program bulletin and detailed adjudication specifications. NACDS thanks Governor Wolf, the Governor’s Opioid Command Center, PACE, and our members that helped advocate for this important lifesaving program over the last few years.

Also in Pennsylvania, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam signed an order this week with guidance on administering COVID-19 booster shots once they are available. It requires vaccine providers, as possible, to:

provide online scheduling for vaccination appointments,
provide a telephone number, with prompts to a live agent during normal business hours, to assist in scheduling appointments,
offer walk-in appointments, and
work with local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) and Medical Assistance Managed Care Organizations (MCO) to help schedule eligible adults and people who cannot leave their homes.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T13:42:45-04:00September 24, 2021|Pennsylvania|

Tennessee

Public Chapter 569 went into effect on July 1, 2021. To assist with the implementation process, especially regarding the filing of PBM complaints with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI), the Tennessee Pharmacy Association has worked with TDCI to troubleshoot the complaint process and has been working to develop materials to guide pharmacies as they submit formal PBM complaints. TPA will be conducting several 30-minute open-forum webinars to share the latest news and information related to implementation of Public Chapter 569. These webinars will allow members to hear from TPA staff and other stakeholders, as well as serve as an opportunity to hear from you about the resources you still need.

Also in Tennessee, the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy, at the September meeting, determined that, for purposes of pharmacist-to-technician waivers, certified technicians could be those trained by an ACPE-approved program outlined in a PREP Amendment. The BOP will discuss USP standards at its November 16-17 meeting.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T13:01:07-04:00September 24, 2021|Tennessee|

Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has updated the Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Program Provider Manual (Click her for manual)

Also in Texas, the Legislature returned to the Capitol on September 20th for a third 30-day special session to tackle several issues including redistricting, property tax reform, and allocating the $16B in federal COVID relief funds. (Link to special session)

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T12:59:42-04:00September 24, 2021|Texas|

Vermont

Effective October 1, 2021, Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems and supplies will be available ONLY through retail pharmacy channels and will no longer be accepted via DME provider channels. Prior authorization requirements that had been waived temporarily because of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency will be reinstated. Prescribers may send prescriptions electronically to the pharmacy or hand write prescriptions for patients. Claims will adjudicate in “real time” through the Pharmacy Point of Sale (POS) system which will allow for faster and easier access for patients.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T12:58:41-04:00September 24, 2021|Vermont|

Washington

The Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee and Drug Utilization Review Board are meeting virtually on October 20th at 9 AM to review drug classes for the Apple Health (Medicaid) PDL. To preregister and access the meeting materials, go to WA P&T Committee.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T12:57:34-04:00September 24, 2021|Washington|

West Virginia

The Insurance Commissioner recently released the Insurance Bulletin No. 21-07 regarding how recent legislation impacts the state’s network adequacy requirements. Of note, the bulletin emphasizes that any sub-networks for specialty drugs that consist of only mail order pharmacies violates the state’s network adequacy standards.

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

Erica Joyner2021-09-24T12:56:09-04:00September 24, 2021|West Virginia|