Iowa

NACDS participated in the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) – Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME) Pharmacy Groups Quarterly Meeting to share information about COVID-19 vaccinations and explore pharmacist payment for other vaccinations under the medical benefit where all providers are paid the same rates and future IME policy changes related to automatic refills and pharmacist scope of practice that will be announced in upcoming Informational Letters.  NACDS and the Iowa Pharmacists Association have scheduled a follow-up call to discuss opportunities to expand pharmacist payment for services.

Also in Iowa, the DHS IME’s adopted and filed rule establishing pharmacy policies and procedures for Medicaid coverage and reimbursement of prescription drug refills through an automatic refill program, rather than prohibiting such a program, which became effective March 1.  Requirements allowing this may also be found here.  This information will be updated in the next Informational Letter released and in the next Provider Manual update.

Also in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy announced guidance on pharmacy operations under an April 2, 2021, renewed governor’s proclamation of a disaster emergency due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The guidance addresses the practice of pharmacy on an inactive or expired license or technician trainee registration, continuing education requirements, license and registration renewal, practicing with a license from another state, and criminal background check requirements.

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

2021-04-09T10:03:13-04:00April 9, 2021|Iowa|

Louisiana

Medicaid is launching a new Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal in April to screen and enroll all Medicaid providers. The enrollment portal is being designed to meet a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirement and must be used by all Medicaid providers.  More information can be found here.

Also in Louisiana, the legislature convenes its budget session Monday, April 12, 2021.

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

2021-04-09T10:01:51-04:00April 9, 2021|Louisiana|

Missouri

NACDS sponsored the Missouri Pharmacists Association’s Day at the Capitol. MPA’s priority bill, HB 834 by Rep. Dale Wright (R) that regulates PBMs, passed the House and was referred to the Senate Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee rather than the Senate Health Committee. More information can be found here.

Also in Missouri, the Board of Pharmacy issued a final rule effective May 30, 2021, that allows additional time to fulfill prescription transfer requests from parties other than the patient. The rule requires transfer requests to be completed in a timely manner and ensures no interruption in patient therapy.

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

2021-04-09T10:00:39-04:00April 9, 2021|Missouri|

Nevada

The Board of pharmacy issued a notice to announce its intentions to amend and adopt regulations under NAC 453 to establish standards for a computerized program to track controlled substance prescriptions. The rule would provide for the development of patient utilization reports and prescriber utilization reports, address the integration of and access to electronic health records, and address periodic board review and law enforcement access to reports.

Also in Nevada, SB 229 legislation the NACDS, the Retail Association of Nevada, pharmacies, and pharmacists, and the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services support sponsored by Sen. Julia Ratti (D) which will modernize Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs) and classify pharmacists as health care providers passed Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on April 6th.

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

2021-04-09T09:59:29-04:00April 9, 2021|Nevada|

South Carolina

NACDS virtually attended the 2021 SCRA Legislative Days Monday, March 29th, and Tuesday, March 30th. The legislators and state agency representatives the group heard from over two days included, Governor Henry McMaster, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, and the new Director at the SC Dept. of Health and Environmental Controls (DHEC), Dr. Edward Simmer. Governor McMaster discussed the COVID19 vaccine roll-out and his appreciation for the retail partners’ efforts. He also stated that he anticipated the current State of Emergency to continue for the foreseeable future. Senator Hutto discussed possible legislation mandating the COVID19 vaccine as well as Hate Crime legislation. Dr. Simmer is hoping for continued collaboration in addressing vaccine access.

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

2021-04-09T09:57:37-04:00April 9, 2021|South Carolina|

Oregon

The Oregon Health Authority issued the following:

  • Temporary rule amending regulations under OAR 410-121 to revise the practitioner-managed prescription drug plan to update the preferred drug list. The rule is effective April 1, 2021, and expires June 29, 2021.
  • Proposed rule amending regulations under OAR 410-121 to revise the practitioner-managed prescription drug plan to update the preferred drug list, beginning April 1, 2021. The rule currently is in effect as a temporary rule, expiring June 29, 2021. Comments are due April 21, 2021.

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

2021-04-09T09:56:15-04:00April 9, 2021|Oregon|

Texas

NACDS is asking members to call Chari Stephanie Klick and members of the House Public Health Committee asking for a hearing as soon as possible for TX HB 678 by Rep. Phil Cortez. Our message is that “there is an urgent need to permanently remove the administrative barriers allowing pharmacists to independently order and administer all immunizations to anyone 3 years of age or older without a prescription. Passing HB 678 will guarantee Texans get much better access to convenient, preventive health care.”

Also in Texas, as the state opens COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to everyone age 16 and older, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) launched the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler, giving people one place to sign up for a COVID-19 shot through multiple public health departments, including the eight DSHS public health regions, which provide public health services in nearly 200 Texas counties, and more than a dozen local health entities across the state.

Also in Texas, beginning April 1st, Health and Human Services (HHSC) set the fee-for-service (FFS) reimbursement rates for COVID vaccines to align with Medicare. The FFS administration reimbursement rate is now $40 for each dose.

Lastly in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy is requesting comments by May 4th on several proposed rules:

  • Proposed rule amending regulations allowing pharmacists to electronically sign the data entry attestation statement. The rule also would update references to the DEA 222 order form requirements for distributing Schedule II controlled substances.
  • Proposed rule extending the period that Schedule II prescriptions are valid to 30 days to conform to federal standards. The rule also would remove a reference to the effective date of the pharmacy responsibility provisions.
  • Proposed rule correcting statutory and regulatory cross-references in the requirements on pharmacy operation.

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

2021-04-09T09:55:02-04:00April 9, 2021|Texas|

Washington

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission issued an emergency rule effective until July 3rd increasing the amount of time to 15 days that a practitioner has to deliver a signed prescription when authorizing an emergency prescription of a Schedule II substance to the pharmacy. The rule also defines “signed prescription” and allows practitioners to fulfill signature requirements through paper, electronic transmission, facsimile, photograph, or scanned copy. The rule extends August 5, 2020, emergency rule is issued in response to the COVID pandemic.

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

2021-04-09T09:54:00-04:00April 9, 2021|Washington|

© National Association of Chain Drug Stores
All Rights Reserved | Privacy & Disclaimer

Go to Top