In The States – Page 243 – Weekly news about states

Arkansas

NACDS and the Arkansas Grocers and Retail Merchants Association submitted a joint letter to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee urging the committee members to strongly oppose HB 1945 by Rep. Wooten. HB 1945, filed on April 19th would establish discriminatory restrictions on pharmacy ownership and prohibit chain pharmacies from operating pharmacy locations throughout Arkansas. The bill was heard in committee on April 22 and was pulled down and referred to further consideration after the session during the interim study. The legislature is scheduled to adjourn by April 30, 2021.

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

Michael Silber2021-04-23T12:29:45-04:00April 23, 2021|Arkansas|

California

On April 20, the Department of Consumer Affairs issued an order waiving the staffing ratio of pharmacist to pharmacy technicians related to the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations. The following language is included in the order: Accordingly, for pharmacists engaged exclusively in initiating and administering COVID-19 vaccines, and pharmacy technicians engaged exclusively in administering COVID-19 vaccines under the direct supervision and control of such pharmacists, the Director waives Business and Professions Code section 4115, subdivision (f)(1) to the extent it limits pharmacies with only one pharmacist to having no more than one pharmacy technician working, subject to the condition that such pharmacies may have no more than two pharmacy technicians working.

Also in California, the Medi-Cal Update Bulletin 989 – April 2019 includes the following items of interest.

REMINDER: On April 1, the online attestation period opened for fee-for-service Medi-Cal pharmacy providers seeking the higher of two professional dispensing fees as part of the reimbursement for covered outpatient drugs. The attestation period for the 2020 calendar year is open until 11:59 pm April 30, 2021, and no attestations will be accepted after that time.
Effective for dates of service on or after March 1, 2021,pen needles quantity limits without authorization have been updated to allow 100 pen needles per claim with no more than three (3) claims in 90 days. Pen needles are billed on a pharmacy claim using the contracted product’s National Drug Code (NDC).

Also in California, the Medi-Cal Update – Part 1 – Program and Eligibility Bulletin – April 2021 highlights information related to drug code limitations and Medi-Cal suspended and ineligible provider list among other program elements and eligibility requirements and updates.

Also in California, Medi-Cal announced a System Update beginning at midnight on April 25, 2021, continuing through 6:00 a.m. Point of Service (POS) network Leased line Eligibility and Share of Cost (SOC) transactions may not be available during this time.

Lastly in California, additional agendas have been posted for the following Board of Pharmacy teleconferenced meetings:

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

Michael Silber2021-04-23T12:28:59-04:00April 23, 2021|California|

District of Columbia

As a result of NACDS’ efforts with other partner organizations, the DC Department of Health has published a revised concurrent and emergency rule governing COVID-19 testing by pharmacies. The revised rule which was effective April 1, now allows: off-site testing, pharmacy technicians to perform testing, is consistent with the CDC’s guidelines for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and no longer requires testing by appointment only.

Also in the District of Columbia, Legislation permitting pharmacists to refill medications before the expiration of the waiting period between refills has passed the Council and sent to Mayor Bowser (D) for signature. This measure allows pharmacists to authorize and dispense medication refills before the expiration of the waiting period between refills under protocols issued by the Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Medicine.

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

Michael Silber2021-04-23T12:27:43-04:00April 23, 2021|District of Columbia|

Florida

The Board of Pharmacy published a final rule to amend regulations under FAC 64B16-31 to update “smoking cessation” with “nicotine dependence” on the list of chronic health conditions for which a certified pharmacist may provide patient care services. The rule is effective April 29, 2021.

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

Michael Silber2021-04-23T12:26:49-04:00April 23, 2021|Florida|

Iowa

The Department of Human Services issued Informational Letter No. 2228-MC-FFS reminding pharmacy providers to bill the appropriate entity for Medicaid pharmacy claims. Claims for Medicaid members enrolled in a managed care organization (MCO) should be billed to the appropriate MCO or their corresponding PBM to which a member is assigned. An updated pharmacy billing reference sheet has been included in the Informational Letter.

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

Michael Silber2021-04-23T12:25:47-04:00April 23, 2021|Iowa|

Kentucky

MedImpact gave this presentation that has details on the July 1, 2021 transition to a Single PBM in Medicaid as a result of the passage of SB 50 of 2020. It also includes a timeline and contact information for the MCOs.

Also in Kentucky, the Department of Medicaid Services is in search of a Pharmacy Director as Dr. Jessin Joseph has departed. Click here for more information or to apply.

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

Michael Silber2021-04-23T12:24:52-04:00April 23, 2021|Kentucky|

Mississippi

The Board of Pharmacy published a final rule to adopt regulations under Title 30, Part 3001, Article XLVIII, to establish standards and procedures for delivering telepharmacy services. The rule specifies system requirements for monitoring the dispensing of prescription drugs and provides for related drug use review and patient counseling services by an electronic method including audio, video, still image capture, and store and forward. The rule is effective May 13, 2021.

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

Michael Silber2021-04-23T12:23:27-04:00April 23, 2021|Mississippi|

Missouri

The Board of Pharmacy approved a final rule effective May 30, 2021, allowing pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines authorized by the federal Department of Health and Human Services during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The rule currently is in effect as an emergency rule, expiring June 8, 2021.

Also in Missouri, the Department of Commerce and Insurance announced that the pharmacist’s statewide standing orders for naloxone dispensing as well as the COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) previously signed by Dr. Williams have been rescinded because he resigned. The new statewide standing orders are signed by the authorizing physician, Dr. George Turabelidze, MD. The revised orders are available on DHHS’s website and the Board’s COVID-19 webpage.

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

Michael Silber2021-04-23T12:22:16-04:00April 23, 2021|Missouri|

Nebraska

The meeting materials for the next meeting of the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board on May 11, 2021, have been posted.

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

Michael Silber2021-04-23T12:21:05-04:00April 23, 2021|Nebraska|