In The States – Page 252 – Weekly news about states

New Mexico

The Office of Superintendent of Insurance issued a notice to health insurers regarding the use of telehealth services during the COVID pandemic, clarifying that the HIPAA penalty waiver relating to the use by providers of certain communications technologies will continue through the calendar year 2021 and that the coverage parity requirements that apply to behavioral health services are not linked to the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

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

Michael Silber2021-03-19T14:25:15-04:00March 19, 2021|New Mexico|

North Carolina

The Board of Pharmacy published a final rule which amends regulations under 21 NCAC 46 to establish a list of restricted drugs during the coronavirus (Covid-19) public health emergency. The rule also establishes that pharmacists can fill the prescriptions on the list only if the prescription bears a written diagnosis consistent with the evidence for its use.

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

Michael Silber2021-03-19T14:24:20-04:00March 19, 2021|North Carolina|

Ohio

NACDS authored and the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants presented joint testimony in support of HB 6 before the House State and Local Government Committee. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill Roemer (R), would permanently allow pharmacists to provide COVID-19 and flu vaccines under protocols; as well as immunizations for “any other disease” by prescription to patients aged 7 and older. NACDS will continue working with key legislators to amend the bill to mirror pharmacists’ immunization authority under the Prep Act. Our testimony urged that the General Assembly strongly consider maintaining their constituents’ current access to pharmacy-based vaccine services as the bill moves forward in the process.

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

Michael Silber2021-03-19T14:22:58-04:00March 19, 2021|Ohio|

Oklahoma

Two bills supported by chain pharmacies are advancing through the committee process in the first house. SB 398 would eliminate the statutory requirement for pharmacists to have an order from a licensed prescriber to administer an immunization, making it consistent with the current practices in place during the pandemic. SB 392 is payment parity legislation that would provide reimbursement to a pharmacist for services if the insurer pays for those same services when provided by other health care professionals.

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

Michael Silber2021-03-19T14:21:54-04:00March 19, 2021|Oklahoma|

Pennsylvania

Gov. Tom Wolf (D) announced that he has nominated Dr. Denise A. Johnson, M.D., FACOG, FACHE, to serve as Pennsylvania’s physician general. Dr. Johnson will serve as acting physician general until she is confirmed by the Senate. Dr. Johnson was most recently Chief Medical Officer at Meadville Medical Center. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology by the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She also serves on the Governor’s Commission for Women.

Also in Pennsylvania, the Department of Insurance (DOI) published a bulletin urging health insurers providing coverage to residents in the Commonwealth to continue exercising flexibility to make both COVID-related services and non-COVID-related services available to enrollees, including COVID testing, immunization, and telehealth.

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

Michael Silber2021-03-19T14:19:22-04:00March 19, 2021|Pennsylvania|

South Carolina

The Joint Pharmacist Administered Vaccines Committee revised the Protocol for Pharmacist Administered Vaccines. This revision has been reviewed and approved by the SC Board of Medical Examiners. The updated protocol moves flu to age 3 and up and adds the COVID vaccine to the list of approved vaccines. The protocol can be found here.

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

Michael Silber2021-03-19T14:17:57-04:00March 19, 2021|South Carolina|

Tennessee

TennCare has released a new provider notice regarding COVID-19 vaccine pharmacy claims. This notice contains two important updates. One includes the addition of Johnson & Johnson vaccines and the single-dose administration payment. The other update involves a newly established Collaborative Pharmacy Practice Agreement (CPPA) to order and administer COVID-19 vaccines for the State’s TennCare population, which includes CoverKids and CoverRx.

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

Michael Silber2021-03-19T14:15:46-04:00March 19, 2021|Tennessee|

Texas

The Board of Pharmacy issued two final rules that went into effect on March 14. One final rule amends the notification requirements for pharmacists who sign prescription orders for dangerous drugs under a written protocol, and another final rule clarifies that the requirement to consult the Prescription Monitoring Program before dispensing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or carisoprodol is limited to outpatient prescriptions.

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

Michael Silber2021-03-19T14:14:27-04:00March 19, 2021|Texas|

Virginia

HB 2097 has passed both Chambers and is on its way to Governor Northam for signature. The bill, sponsored by Del. Sam Rasoul (D), is a continuation of the pharmacy protocol bill that NACDS, VACDS, and VpHA jointly championed and passed last year that was enacted in January. HB 2097 would further expand pharmacists’ ability to initiate testing and/or treatment for certain conditions including HIV and Tuberculosis under the protocol. It also would allow pharmacists to dispense over-the-counter drugs, devices, controlled paraphernalia, and other supplies and equipment covered by the patient’s health carrier when the patient’s out-of-pocket cost is lower than the out-of-pocket cost to purchase an over-the-counter equivalent of the same. The measure requires the Board of Pharmacy, in collaboration with the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health, to establish protocols for these services by November 1, 2021.

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

Michael Silber2021-03-19T14:13:23-04:00March 19, 2021|Virginia|