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.

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

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.

2021-09-10T10:21:24-04:00September 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.

2021-09-10T10:18:38-04:00September 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.

2021-09-03T08:51:18-04:00September 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.

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

Idaho

Below are the highlights from the September 1 issue of the “Idaho Administrative Rules Bulletin”.  See 24.36.01, Rules of the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy *(Re-designated from IDAPA 27.01.01 to 24.36.01)  

  • 24-3601-2000F Rules of the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy – Notice of Omnibus Rulemaking – Adoption of Pending Fee Rule – Reauthorizes Title 36, Chapter 01 – Bulletin Vol. 20-11SE (PLR 2021) 
  • 24-3601-2000F Rules of the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy – Notice of Omnibus Rulemaking – Proposed (Fee) Rule – Reauthorizes Title 36, Chapter 01 – Bulletin Vol. 20-9SE  
  • 24-0000-2000 IDAPA 24 – DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES – Notice of Legislative and Executive Action Affecting Certain Boards and Commissions Under the Department of Self-Governing Agencies – House Bill 318, Session Law 96, and Executive Order 2020-10 and Assignment of New IDAPA Designation Number Under the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Redesignated as IDAPA 24, Title 36, Chapter 01 – Bulletin Vol. 20-7 (eff. 7-1-20)
  • 27-0000-2000 IDAPA 27 – BOARD OF PHARMACY – Notice of Legislative and Executive Action Affecting the Idaho Board of Pharmacy Under the Department of Self-Governing Agencies – House Bill 318, Session Law 96, and Executive Order 2020-10 and Assignment of New IDAPA Designation Number Under the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Redesignated as IDAPA 24, Title 36, Chapter 01, – Bulletin Vol. 20-7 (eff. 7-1-20)
  • 27-0101-2000F Rules of the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy – Notice of Omnibus Rulemaking – Adoption of Temporary (Fee) Rule – Reauthorizes Title 01, Chapter 01 – Bulletin Vol. 20-4SE (eff. 3-20-20)T 

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

2021-09-03T08:49:59-04:00September 3, 2021|Idaho|

Iowa

The Board of Pharmacy issued a notice to pharmacies regarding multiple fraudulent prescriptions for promethazine with codeine being faxed into pharmacies.  Note: they are often accompanied by prescriptions for a Z-Pak (azithromycin). 

Also in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy announced the registration fee for all certified pharmacy technicians will be prorated as of August 16, 2021.   

Also in Iowa, the Iowa Pharmacy Association will conduct a webinar entitled “Medicaid: Provider Enrollment and Medical Billings” on September 7 from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. The speaker will be Desiree Smith, Provider Services Operations Manager, Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME).  She will be joined by representatives of the state’s Medicaid Managed Care Organizations.  Registration is required. 

Finally in Iowa, NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy on the proposed rulemaking revising the requirements for perpetual inventory. On behalf of members, we stated concerned that the proposed rule changes under ARC 5834C that expand the perpetual inventory requirements to apply to all controlled substance medications would be burdensome and would only add more “non-patient care related tasks” to busy pharmacists’ workday. NACDS requested the Board to reject the proposed rule change that would require perpetual inventories at all times for all controlled substances, and instead continue to apply this requirement only to Schedule II controlled substances.  

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

2021-09-03T08:49:11-04:00September 3, 2021|Iowa|

Kentucky

The BOP has withdrawn its recent regulation 201 KAR 2:410E expanding pharmacies immunization authority and replaced it with an emergency revised regulation that includes the most recent HHS Guidance allowing pharmacy technicians to administer influenza vaccines to adults. The regulation maintains the ability of any pharmacist to order and administer vaccinations for anyone over the age of three years old, under a protocol. The regulation will next be reviewed by the Administrative Regulatory Review Subcommittee of the General Assembly. However, because it was filed as an emergency regulation, it is in effect now. 

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

2021-09-03T08:48:35-04:00September 3, 2021|Kentucky|

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