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.

2021-08-06T13:24:13-04:00August 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.

2021-08-06T13:23:35-04:00August 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.

2021-08-06T13:23:01-04:00August 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.

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

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.

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

Texas

The 30-day special session Gov. Greg Abbott (R) convened in early July will end on Friday, August 6th without progress on any legislation because of the partisan standoff in the House of Representatives over the election integrity bill. The Governor vowed to call multiple special sessions until the elections bill passes.  

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) updated the Preferred Drug List. 

Finally in Texas, since the Board of Pharmacy failed to secure funding from the Legislature to cover the cost of the electronic health record (EHR) to continue to be seamlessly integrated into the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP), access through the Appriss PMP Gateway and access to the NarxCare score will end on August 31, 2021. Free access to the PMP remains available at texas.pmpaware.net/login, but it is more cumbersome then the direct connect integration the state began paying for in 2020 when they mandated that both prescribers and dispensers check the system before prescribing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates or carisoprodol. More information is available – News | PMP Changes (texas.gov) 

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

2021-08-06T13:20:26-04:00August 6, 2021|Texas|

Washington

The Executive Director of the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC), Lauren Lyles-Stolz, submitted her resignation at the July board meeting. As a result, the state’s board, which is responsible for establishing policy for pharmacy practice, is looking for a new Executive Director to fill the position immediately. https://www.governmentjobs.com/jobs/3170061-0/executive-director-pharmacy-quality-assurance-commission-ems-doh5705 

Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) adopted regulations effective October 1, 2021, establishing standards for provider use of the qualified prescription drug monitoring program.  

Finally in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) is seeking provider input on their annual survey aimed at tracking progress toward our statewide goal of payments based on health outcomes rather than paying for each medical transaction. The survey is available until August 31st. More information is available at VBP website section. 

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

2021-08-06T13:19:48-04:00August 6, 2021|Washington|

California

Having accepted a Conflict Avoidance Plan, the Department of Health Care Services plans full Medi-Cal Rx implementation will begin January 1, 2022, meaning the prescription drug benefit in Medicaid managed care will move to Medicaid fee-for-service. The Conflict Avoidance Plan will be posted on the DHCS website. 

Also in California, on July 1, the Department of Health Care Services updated its COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Provider FAQs. 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy is offering a free six-hour online CE training program, “Prescription Drug Abuse and Diversion: What a Pharmacist Needs to Know,” on August 11. Preregistration is required and space is limited. For questions about the event, email the Board.  

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy published a Notice of Proposed Action to amend section 1709 to Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations related to Ownership, Management and Control of Pharmacies and Other Business Entities. Written comments are due September 7. 

Also in California, the California Pharmacy Law Update 2021 Edition, a free continuing education webinar from the Board of Pharmacy, is now available. The program includes recently enacted pharmacy laws, recently adopted regulations, an overview of the Board’s organizational structure and activities and tips for navigating the Board’s website.  

Also in California, the director of the Department of Consumer Affairs issued several waiver extensions including one waiving license renewal requirements for individuals with active licenses between March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2021. 

Also in California, the governor appointed Nicole D. Thibeau, a pharmacist, to the Board of Pharmacy. Since 2013, Dr. Thibeau has been Director of Pharmacy Services at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. She previously served as a pharmacist-in-charge at both Target and CVS pharmacies. 

Finally in California, on July 27, Gov. Gavin Newsome (D) signed AB 133 (Chapter 143, Statutes of 2021) that includes language adding medication therapy management (MTM), provided by a pharmacist in conjunction with the dispensing of qualified specialty drugs, to the list of covered pharmacist services under the Medi-Cal program. It also makes an exception for MTM to the 85% Medi-Cal rate, requiring the Department of Health Care Services to implement an MTM reimbursement methodology.

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

2021-07-30T10:18:43-04:00July 30, 2021|California|

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