Oklahoma

In The Oklahoma Register Vol. 38 No. 17, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority published an emergency rule amending regulations under OAC 317:30-5 to revise provisions regarding diabetes self-management education and support providers to update requirements for Medicaid payment of providers and requirements that such providers be certified. The rule also allows registered dietitians, registered nurses, and pharmacists to render services and be reimbursed when meeting specific licensure, training, and experience requirements. The rule became effective April 14 and expires September 14, 2022.

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

2021-05-28T09:51:13-04:00May 28, 2021|Oklahoma|

Texas

On May 26, Gov. Abbott signed HB1763 into law which becomes effective September 1, 2021. NACDS applauds Gov. Abbott, Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R), Rep. Tom Oliverson (R), Sen. Bryan Hughes (R), and Rep. Eddie Lucio III (D) for passing this important legislation and look forward to continued collaboration on these efforts that maintain patient access and creates long-term viable reimbursement models in the commercial market.  HB1763 is crucial for the continued viability of retail community pharmacies in Texas by creating PBM reform that prohibits harmful claw backs, requires that all pharmacies be fairly and properly reimbursed, and provides patients with equal access to all network pharmacies by allowing patients to receive care from the pharmacy of their choice.  In a letter of support, NACDS urged Gov. Abbott to sign HB1763 to maintain patient access and help ensure that local Texas pharmacies are properly reimbursed for the prescription medications they provide and associated pharmacy services.

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

2021-05-28T09:50:10-04:00May 28, 2021|Texas|

Virginia

The Board of Pharmacy has posted the agenda for the June 4 meeting. The BOP will be reviewing legislation passed by the General Assembly in the 2021 session including HB 2079 (initiation of treatment, dispensing of supplies and devices; HIV treatment; test & treat for CLIA-waived tests including flu and strep; tobacco cessation prescribing). A stakeholders’ workgroup will be convened to make recommendations on CLIA test and treat to the Joint Commission on Health Care due November 1, 2021. Additionally, there will be another workgroup tasked with making recommendations on expansion pharmacy technicians’ duties as a result of the passage of HB 1304 of 2020 with a report also due November. 1. Further detail is in the agenda packet.  NACDS and VACDS expect to participate in both stakeholder workgroups.

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

2021-05-28T09:49:16-04:00May 28, 2021|Virginia|

Alabama

The Board of Pharmacy published an emergency rule to adopt regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to establish standards for off-site COVID vaccine order entry processing. The rule is effective April 7 and expires October 2, 2021. Please contact Wendy Passmore; Board of Pharmacy; 205-981-4764; wpassmore@albop.com for more information.

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

2021-05-21T10:13:47-04:00May 21, 2021|Alabama|

Alaska

The Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Health Care Services issued a Notice of Public Scoping: Medicaid Pharmacy Services, Coverage & Reimbursement announcing its review of coverage and reimbursement related to Medicaid Pharmacy Professional Dispensing Fees, pharmacist rendered professional services, covered outpatient drugs, and cost-sharing.  The public scoping session will take place on May 24, 2021, via teleconference/WebEx, and written comments will be accepted until June 4, 2021.

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

2021-05-21T10:13:01-04:00May 21, 2021|Alaska|

California

NACDS and the California Retailers Association submitted a joint letter to the Assembly Appropriations Committee in opposition to AB 1341, which will prohibit the sale of over-the-counter dietary supplements to individuals under 18 years of age without a prescription and will also require retailers and pharmacies to store these products behind the counter.  We expressed concern this will create substantial workflow issues and take time away from patient care.  Additionally, this action will restrict access to these safe FDA-regulated products forcing many consumers to turn to less-regulated, misbranded, and dangerous supplements sold online.

Also in California, on May 14, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) released the 2021-22 Governor’s May Revision related to the state’s budget process.  Included in the Health and Human Services section of the May Revision is funding to implement an MTM program for specialty pharmacy services in the Medi-Cal program, effective July 1, 2021.  Additionally, the May Revision is absent of a clear plan of implementation for the transition of the Medi-Cal Rx prescription drug benefit from managed care to fee-for-service.  The Department of Health Care Services continues to work with the contracted vendor to finalize the conflict avoidance plan.   In light of this uncertainty, the May Revision assumes that the transition will take place on January 1, 2022, for budgeting purposes only.  The state’s contracted vendor will continue meeting with pharmacy providers to working towards future implementation of the transition.

Also in California, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health & Human Services has voted to approve the Governor’s proposal to cover continuous glucose monitors for adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The proposal is awaiting action in the Senate. If approved by both chambers, the proposal would be included in the state budget for approval by the Governor.

Also in California, the State Board of Pharmacy published its agenda for the May 27, 2021, teleconference public board meeting.

Also in California, the Board announced the following related to pharmacy law waivers issued during the coronavirus pandemic.

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted a step-by-step user guide for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Uninsured Group Web Application Web Portal on the Medi-Cal Providers website.  The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Section 6004, authorized State Medicaid programs to provide access to COVID-19 diagnostic testing and testing-related services at no cost to the individual.

Also in California. The Medi-Cal Update – Part 1 – Program Eligibility Bulletin – May 2021 highlights information related to ICD-10 codes for individuals in aid code V2 (COVID-19 Uninsured Group) and updates to the ineligible provider list among other program elements and updates.  Also, the Medi-Cal Update – Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supplies – May 2021 – Bulletin 548 includes information about the new NDC for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, updates to the List of Enteral Nutrition Products and various coding changes and provider manual updates.

Lastly in California, Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an alert advising the public that they should not be charged for their COVID-19 vaccination and warning vaccination providers not to ask individuals to pay to receive their vaccine.

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

2021-05-21T09:53:16-04:00May 21, 2021|California|

Georgia

Several final rules from the Board of Pharmacy effective May 3.

  • Final rule of the Board of Pharmacy amends regulations under GAC 480-11 to require a Class A balance with weights or electronic balance only if compounding on-site using components that must be weighed.
  • Final rule of the Board of Pharmacy adopts regulations under GAC 480-10 to require retail pharmacies with affiliates to file a disclosure statement annually by June 30.
  • Final rule of the Board of Pharmacy amends regulations under GAC 480-10 to provide an exception from the requirement for a combined retail/hospital pharmacy to maintain a separate prescription department and have a pharmacist on duty when open for business. The rule also allows a nursing supervisor access to the pharmacy.
  • Final rule of the Board of Pharmacy amends regulations under GAC 480-36 to remove provisions on the responsibility of the pharmacist on duty at the primary dispensing pharmacy to assure the accuracy of remote entry drug order processing. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16, 2020, via teleconference.

Also in Georgia: The Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner issued a notice to announce Bulletin 21-EX-8 to specify that, when an audit of a pharmacy is conducted by a managed care company, insurance company, pharmacy benefits manager, or another payor, the final audit report must be delivered to the pharmacy within 90 days after receipt of the preliminary audit report or final appeal, whichever is later. Contact: Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner; 404-656-2056

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

2021-05-21T09:50:13-04:00May 21, 2021|Georgia|

Iowa

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives and, subsequently, the Senate passed HF 891, an act relating to appropriations for health and human services, and it will be sent to the governor.  The bill includes language directing the department to amend Medicaid managed care organization contracts to authorize the establishment of a managed care pharmacy dispensing fee reimbursement with either (a) the established fee-for-service $10.38 pharmacy dispensing fee reimbursement per prescription based upon the most recent state cost of dispensing study or (b) a dispensing fee determined contractually by mutual agreement between the managed care organization and a participating pharmacy with more than 30 locations in the state and headquarters outside the state, not to exceed the established fee-for-service $10.38 pharmacy dispensing fee reimbursement per prescription.

Also in Iowa, this week, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed SF 296 into law authorizing pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 immunizations or vaccinations to adults according to statewide protocols, perform point-of-care testing for influenza, streptococcus, and COVID-19 and initiate treatment following a positive test, and enter into collaborative practice agreements with other healthcare providers.

Lastly in Iowa, on May 10 the Board of Pharmacy issued guidance on how a pharmacy may report dispensations or transactions involving nonprescription Schedule V controlled substances, such as codeine-containing cough syrups, to the Iowa Prescription Monitoring Program, under an April 7 final rule.

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

2021-05-21T09:48:18-04:00May 21, 2021|Iowa|

Mississippi

The Division of Medicaid issued a proposed rule to amend regulations under Title 23, Part 224, Chapter 1 to set the fees for immunizations to those in effect for the state fiscal year 2021. Comments are due May 30, 2021. For more information please contact: Margaret Wilson; Division of Medicaid; 601-359-5248; Margaret.Wilson@medicaid.ms.gov

Also in Mississippi.  The Division of Medicaid also issued a proposed rule to amend regulations under Title 23, Part 200, Chapters 1, 3, and 4 to increase the time for providers to request an administrative review for claims to 90 days. The rule also would revise beneficiary cost-sharing and 340B provider requirements to comply with federal standards. Comments are due May 30, 2021. For more information please contact: Margaret Wilson; Division of Medicaid; 601-359-5248; Margaret.Wilson@medicaid.ms.gov

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

2021-05-21T09:45:25-04:00May 21, 2021|Mississippi|

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