In The States – Page 246 – Weekly news about states

Florida

An emergency rule of the Department of Health adopts regulations under FAC 64DER21-9 to require all health care practitioners and other enrolled coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine providers to report to the online immunization information system within 72 hours the administration of any COVID-19 vaccine with an emergency use authorization from the FDA. The rule replaces a March 17, 2021, emergency rule on the same topic. The rule is effective June 11, 2021 and expires September 9, 2021.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-25T09:27:03-04:00June 25, 2021|Florida|

Illinois

Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) has signed SB 2017. Effective June 17, 2021, the legislation (page 549) allows for pharmacists to order and administer vaccines listed on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Recommended Immunization Schedule, the CDC’s Health Information for International Travel or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccines Licensed and Authorized in the U.S. The legislation also authorizes that, when applicable, vaccines ordered and administered must be covered and reimbursed at no less than the rate that the vaccine is reimbursed when order by a physician.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-25T09:26:33-04:00June 25, 2021|Illinois|

Iowa

Effective July 1, 2021, community pharmacies in Iowa may begin to submit electronic claims for reimbursement of DisposeRx® (or other branded medication disposal solutions) dispensed to Iowa residents who may be at risk of an accidental opioid or other controlled substance misuse or overdose. Additional information, including the pharmacy electronic billing process, is available in the Disposal Kit Dispensing Program FAQ document on the Board of Pharmacy’s website.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-25T09:25:39-04:00June 25, 2021|Iowa|

Kentucky

As of June 29, 2021, pharmacies will not have to obtain identification for a patient person purchasing hypodermic syringes and needles or maintain a logbook for these purchases. The change is a result of the passage of HB 219 of 2021. The new law also details the conditions under which pharmacies may sell syringes without a prescription, including providing written or electronic materials on safe disposal and syringe exchange programs and offering the patient Naloxone. Lastly, the law clarifies that syringes sold under these provisions do not constitute drug paraphernalia.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-25T09:24:48-04:00June 25, 2021|Kentucky|

Louisiana

In response to a survey from the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), NACDS submitted comments recommending ways LDH can improve the pharmacy benefit delivery models used by the state’s Medicaid managed care organizations. Specifically, NACDS suggested that they adopt policies to help ensure patient access to neighborhood pharmacies by promoting the ability for any willing pharmacy to participate in a managed care organization’s network provided that a pharmacy accepts the terms and conditions of that network. We also advocated that LDH carve out the prescription drug benefit from the Medicaid managed care program to the state’s fee-for-service program. Lastly, we recommended the adoption of a Medicaid managed care reimbursement methodology that seeks to ensure a pharmacy’s costs are covered, which aligns with methodology used under the state’s Medicaid fee-for-service program.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-25T09:24:08-04:00June 25, 2021|Louisiana|

Maryland

As a result of Gov. Larry Hogan’s (R) termination of the State of Emergency that will be effective July 1, 2021, the Department of Health’s Office of Pharmacy Services announced they will rescind the waiver allowing pharmacies to deliver without a receiver signature. Therefore, effective August 15, 2021, the Medicaid Fee-for-Service Program will require pharmacies to record signatures when delivering prescriptions.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-25T09:23:09-04:00June 25, 2021|Maryland|

Massachusetts

Now that the Massachusetts State of Emergency has been lifted, the Department of Public Health has issued several regulatory updates.

Therefore, effective June 30, 2021, the Board will return to the following pre-pandemic requirements:

12 hour workday maximum (247 CMR 6.02(9)(c))
supervisory ratios (247 CMR 8.06(3))
perpetual inventory every 10 days (247 CMR 9.01(14))
compounding copies of commercially available drugs
restocking emergency kits in long term care facilities within 48 hours (105 CMR 150.008(E))
ID requirement for picking up a federally controlled substance or gabapentin prescription (105 CMR 700.012)
- NOTE: ID is not needed to pick up prescriptions for federally scheduled controlled substance in certain circumstances. However, the individual must print his or her name and address on the reverse side of the prescription and sign it. In the case of an electronic prescription, they must provide an electronic signature. Review the Data Submission Dispenser Guide for details.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-25T09:20:51-04:00June 25, 2021|Massachusetts|

Missouri

Gov. Mike Parson (R) convened a special session on June 23, 2021, to address extending Medicaid funding for the state because the Legislature adjourned last month prior to passing a renewal of the Federal Reimbursement Allowance (FRA), the tax on health care providers that draws down billions in federal matching dollars to fund the state’s Medicaid budget. To prevent a $1.4B budget gap, lawmakers only have five days to pass legislation to extend the program as the deadline for a balanced state budget is set for July 1, 2021.

Also in Missouri, NACDS is preparing a comment letter objecting to an emergency proposed rule that would add this new definition of usual and customary (“U&C”) for purposes of reimbursement for covered drugs under the state’s Medicaid program. “U&C is defined as the provider’s charge to the general public that reflects all advertised savings, discounts, special promotions, or other programs including membership-based discounts initiated to reduce prices for product costs available to the general public, a special population, or an inclusive category of customers.”

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

Michael Silber2021-06-25T09:19:30-04:00June 25, 2021|Missouri|

New Mexico

Below are highlights from the June issue of the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy newsletter. See the newsletter for additional details and more information. 

As some prescribing practitioners are working to implement the electronic prescriptions for controlled substances requirement that was effective April 1, 2021, the Board issued an “Emergency Dispensing Declaration” from April 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021, and it does not intend to take action against a pharmacist who fills a nonelectronic controlled substance prescription not otherwise subject to the exceptions.

Effective June 18, 2021, a healthcare provider may provide a prescription for medical aid in dying to a terminally ill adult who is mentally competent after meeting certain requirements pursuant to HB 47, the Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act
REMINDER: Be Sure to submit Adverse Drug Event reports to the Board within 15 days as required by regulation.

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

Michael Silber2021-06-25T09:17:19-04:00June 25, 2021|New Mexico|