Minnesota

The Department of Health expects to issue guidance on how to comply with the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act by early summer 2021, which will include technical definitions and reporting requirements for the act.  MDH will share information related to the act’s implementation and opportunities for public feedback on this page, through GovDelivery bulletins, and via State Register announcements. Stakeholders interested in receiving announcements on implementation of the act may subscribe to Prescription Drug Price Transparency updates.

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

2021-06-11T15:10:14-04:00June 11, 2021|Minnesota|

Mississippi

The Division of Medicaid has issued the below final rules.

  • Final rule of the Division of Medicaid amends regulations under Title 23, Part 224, Chapter 1 to set the fees for immunizations to those in effect for the state fiscal year 2021. The rule is effective July 1, 2021.
  • Final rule of the Division of Medicaid amends regulations under Title 23, Part 200, Chapters 1, 3, and 4 to increase to 90 days the time period for providers to request an administrative review for claims. The rule also revises beneficiary cost-sharing and 340B provider requirements to comply with federal standards. The rule is effective July 1, 2021.

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

2021-06-11T15:09:57-04:00June 11, 2021|Mississippi|

Missouri

Gov. Mike Parson (R) signed SB 63 into law, which makes it the 50th state to create a statewide prescription drug monitoring program. The bill establishes the Joint Oversight Task Force of Prescription Drug Monitoring, responsible for collecting and maintaining the prescription and dispensation of prescribed controlled substances to patients within the state. It also extends the expiration date of the RX Cares for Missouri Program to August 28, 2026.

Also in Missouri, the Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division, issued two new proposed rules requesting comments by July 1, 2021. Both are currently in effect as emergency rules expiring February 24, 2022.

  • Proposed rule removes obsolete provisions and references new provisions establishing the payment methodology for covered entities under the 340B drug pricing program that choose to carve in Medicaid.
  • Proposed rule establishes the payment methodology for covered entities under the 340B drug pricing program that chooses to carve in Medicaid.

Also in Missouri, the Board of Pharmacy issued a final rule effective June 30, 2021, removing the limit on the number of intern pharmacist practice hours that may be earned per week.

Also in Missouri, the Department of Commerce and Insurance issued a proposed rule to establish the license application process and a $1,000 application fee for pharmacy benefit managers. The rule replaces a September 15, 2020, proposed rule. Comments are due on June 16th, and a public hearing will be held on June 17, 2021.

Also in Missouri, the Board of Pharmacy is soliciting comments on two proposed rules:

  • Proposed rule rescinds regulations regarding pharmacy operating procedures during declared disasters. A concurrent proposed rule would readopt the provisions to address both disasters and state/federal emergencies. Comments are due June 16, 2021.
  • Proposed rule adopts regulations establishing guidelines for temporary pharmacy operations during an emergency or declared disaster. The rule would replace pharmacy disaster operation procedures that are proposed for repeal concurrently.

Also in Missouri, the Board of Pharmacy recently approved two final rules 20 CSR 2150-5.025 and 20 CSR 2220-6.050 which allows pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines under the supervision of a state-licensed pharmacist according to a written protocol with a licensed physician who is actively engaged in the practice of medicine. The rule is issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic effective July 30, 2021.

Lastly in Missouri, the Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division issued three final rules effective July 30, 2021.

  • Final rule adds an exception to the 31-day supply maximum restriction on medications reimbursed by the division on behalf of participants eligible for the fee-for-service programs, and an exception to allow for a 90-day supply requirement for select medications established in a concurrent rule. The rule also replaces references to “recipient” and “patient” with “participant.”
  • Final rule adopts a 90-day supply requirement per dispensing on select medications reimbursed by the division on behalf of participants eligible for Medicaid fee-for-service programs.
  • Final rule revises the amount of the professional dispensing fee reimbursable for MO HealthNet covered prescriptions by pharmacy providers.

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

2021-06-11T15:09:45-04:00June 11, 2021|Missouri|

Montana

SB 395 Chapter Number: 501, establishing licensure, reporting, marketing, and advertising, network adequacy requirements, and 340B related provisions for PBMs, was signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) on May 12, 2021.

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

2021-06-11T15:09:28-04:00June 11, 2021|Montana|

Nebraska

Effective July 1, 2021, the METAVIR fibrosis score required for coverage by Nebraska Medicaid will be changed to F0. The current prior authorization criteria require a METAVIR fibrosis score of at least F2. These changes mean that patients with a METAVIR fibrosis score of F0 may have their prescribed antiviral medications to treat hepatitis C be covered by Nebraska Medicaid. Prior authorization for Hepatitis C antiviral medications will continue to be in place. See Provider Bulletin 21-11 for additional details.

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

2021-06-11T15:09:16-04:00June 11, 2021|Nebraska|

Ohio

This week the full Senate passed their budget bill by a party-line vote. The passed version appropriates $5 million for Fiscal Year 2022 and $10.15 million for Fiscal Year 2023, plus Federal Medical Assistance Percentages to fund the Managed Care Supplemental Dispensing Fee. NACDS worked in partnership with the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants to advocate that funding for this program continue. It is not included in the competing versions of the budget as proposed by the Governor and the House. We will continue to champion this line item as budget negotiations continue over the next two weeks.

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

2021-06-11T15:09:02-04:00June 11, 2021|Ohio|

Oklahoma

HB 2677, amending the audits and administrative appeals procedures, was signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) on May 4, 2021.

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

2021-06-11T15:08:51-04:00June 11, 2021|Oklahoma|

South Carolina

The Board issued several emergency orders to allow for the safe and effective care of patients during an unprecedented pandemic. The Board has continually reviewed these orders and made adjustments as necessary. Effective July 1, 2021, all Board-issued emergency orders are scheduled to be rescinded. Please begin planning now. Those orders pertain to Safe Harbor regarding the reuse of personal protective equipment, pickup kiosks, and remote order entry outside of a licensed facility. Those orders can be here.

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

2021-06-11T15:08:35-04:00June 11, 2021|South Carolina|

Texas

NACDS sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) urging him to sign HB 1919 into law, legislation that would help maintain patients’ right to choose a pharmacy provider by prohibiting health benefit plans and pharmacy benefit managers from “steering” patients to use any particular in-network pharmacy provider over another.  In addition, we have been urging member companies to also contact the Governor’s office.

Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy hired a new Executive Director/Secretary Tim Tucker, Pharm.D., replacing Allison Benz who announced earlier this year that she would be retiring on August 31, 2021. The Texas press release can be found here.

Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy adopted several rules that became effective June 9, 2021.

  • Final rule extends the time that Schedule II prescriptions are valid to 30 days to conform to federal standards and removes a reference to the effective date of the pharmacy responsibility provisions.
  • Final rule allows pharmacists to electronically sign the data entry attestation statement. The rule also updates references to the DEA 222 order form requirements for distributing Schedule II controlled substances.
  • Final rule extends the time that Schedule II prescriptions are valid to 30 days to conform to federal standards.
  • Final rule corrects statutory and regulatory cross-references in the requirements on pharmacy operation.

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission has several COVID-related upcoming weekly seminars now open for registration.

  • Webinar Tuesdays: Actively Administering & Advanced VAOS Users: For COVID-19 vaccine coordinators and providers who have received an order of the COVID-19 vaccine and are actively administering the vaccines. The state will share important news updates, clinical considerations, and advanced user tips on the systems and processes to support you.
    • June 15, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
    • June 22, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
    • June 29, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
  • Webinar Thursdays: Basics & Beginners: For providers who are new to the COVID-19 vaccine management program and/or have not yet received an order of the vaccine. We discuss important news updates, how to access VAOS, and how to get started with placing orders.
  • June 17, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
  • June 24, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here

Lastly in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will resume publication of the quarterly Specialty Drug List in July. Please see the stakeholder notice.pdf for more information

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

2021-06-11T15:08:19-04:00June 11, 2021|Texas|
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