Earlier this year, Governor Charlie Baker (R) signed into law SB 2984 which among other things, recognizes pharmacists as health care providers. Please visit the above link for bill language.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (R) signed into law SB 920, which provides regulatory relief through the remaining course of the state emergency declaration. Provisions include emergency refills, therapeutic interchange, and remote supervision of technicians and other staff. Most of these provisions were lost previously when Gov. Whitmer’s Executive Orders either lapsed or were invalidated by the State Supreme Court.
Also in Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a bulletin with coverage and reimbursement information for pharmacies administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Please visit the above link for more details on the bulletin.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Gov. Tim Walz (D) issued an Executive Order allowing out-of-state pharmacists to provide COVID-19 vaccinations during the peacetime emergency. Please visit the above link for more details on the Executive Order.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Effective December 11 the Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM) will reimburse Medicaid-enrolled pharmacy providers for COVID-19 vaccine claims billed on NCPDP D.0 pharmacy claims. Currently, the vaccine itself is being provided at no cost to providers and patients by the federal government, but DOM will still require submission of the vaccine NDC numbers on claims to ensure the appropriate administration fees are being billed for the vaccines given. Also, the Mississippi Division of Medicaid has added new procedure codes that can be used by providers to bill for COVID-19 vaccines. To learn more, read the attached notice and consider sharing it in your publications. You can also find the information online at https://medicaid.ms.gov/covid-19-vaccine-billing-guidance-for-medical-claims/.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Department of Commerce and Insurance issued an emergency rule authorizing technician immunization authority effective January 19, 2021, and expiring July 17, 2021. Please visit the above link for more information.
Also in Missouri. Per Governor Parson’s (R) emergency waiver, pharmacists are authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccines: (1) under a statewide standing order issued by the Department of Health and Senior Services or (2) according to a protocol with a Missouri-licensed physician. All HHS requirements apply to COVID-19 vaccines administered under the emergency waiver, including, all training and reporting requirements. More information can be found in this Board of Pharmacy’s Frequently Asked Questions Document which can be found here.
Also in Missouri, the Department of Health and Senior Services issued an emergency rule establishing a process for practitioners to obtain a waiver from electronic prescribing requirements for Schedules II, III, and IV substances beginning March 30, 2021. Please visit the link above for more information.
Lastly in Missouri. The Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs has released a new online reporting system for reports of losses, thefts, and diversions. Reports may now be submitted electronically online so a paper form does not have to be used and mailed. More information can be found at the above link.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
This week four Administration Orders were released that authorize pharmacists, pharmacy interns and externs, as well as technicians, to administer all vaccines approved or authorized by the FDA for COVID-19, to eligible patients who are three years of age or older. The orders also cover the authorization of the administration of diphenhydramine and epinephrine, to patients who are three years of age through and including seventeen years of age and requires all licensed health care providers who are authorized to administer vaccines to register and report to the NJIIS when administering a vaccine for COVID-19. More details on the Administrative Orders can be found below.
All of the above orders expire with the end of the state of emergency or the public health emergency declared in Executive Order #103, whichever is later unless earlier terminated by the Director of Consumer Affairs.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Department of Medicaid issued an emergency rule to provide payment for the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Medicare rate. The rule was effective December 23 and expires April 23, 2021.
Also in Ohio. The Office of Vaccine Preparedness released its weekly report which also includes links to provider enrollment and other information related to the vaccine plan in Ohio. For more information, please visit the above link.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The PACE Prescription Drug Program has issued a bulletin reminding providers of the process to participate in their Medication Synchronization Program. Additionally, the Program Director has requested feedback from pharmacies on how the current process could be improved to increase participation, as they are considering modifications. Please provide comments to jmccormack@nacds.org by close of business on January 18, 2021. If you would like to provide your recommendations directly, please email them to ProviderEnrollmentCorr@magellanhealth.com
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) has announced that it will cover the cost of COVID19 vaccine administration for Healthy Connections Medicaid members, including those enrolled in the family planning and COVID-19 testing limited benefit programs. Those without healthcare coverage can apply for the COVID-19 limited benefit program via the link below. Billing guidance for providers is also available here.
Also in South Carolina. The Board of Pharmacy issued a notice announcing revisions to the protocol for the administration of vaccines by pharmacists. The protocol addresses authorization, qualifications, limitations, consent, and recordkeeping and reporting. The document is dated December 10, 2020.
Lastly in South Carolina. Prisma Health is offering the COVID-19 Vaccine to all pharmacists in the state as pharmacists are considered to be in Phase 1A per South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DEHC) vaccine guidelines. If a pharmacist is not able to access the vaccine through his or her employer, he or she can reach out to COVIDVaccine@prismahealth.org to receive an invitation to register for an appointment to receive the vaccine at any of their locations. Additionally, SC DHEC has announced an update to the recipients included in Phase 1A which now includes all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. They previously differentiated between those pharmacists and technicians who administered the COVID-19 vaccine or tests versus those who conducted normal duties. Now, all are eligible to receive the vaccine in Phase 1A.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.