In The States – Page 270 – Weekly news about states

New Mexico

The Insurance Superintendent issued a notice to health insurers regarding the use of telehealth services during the pandemic, specifying 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 public health emergency.

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

Michael Angeloni2021-02-19T09:49:52-05:00February 19, 2021|New Mexico|

New York

As the New York State Legislature considers the Executive budget proposal, NACDS has issued a memo in support of a budget proposal that would expand pharmacists’ authority to immunize. In addition, NACDS submitted testimony in support of key pharmacy provisions in the budget and urging the legislature to not delay the transition of pharmacy benefits from Managed Care to Fee for Service. As a reminder the budget must be finalized by April 1, 2021.

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

Michael Angeloni2021-02-19T09:47:07-05:00February 19, 2021|New York|

Pennsylvania

Acting Secretary of Health Beam issued an order aimed at increasing providers’ COVID vaccine distribution last week. The order requires providers to set up appointment call centers and meet percentage requirements of doses administered based on doses received. A Frequently Asked Questions document can be found here and acting Secretary Beam’s press conference announcing the order can be viewed here.

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

Michael Angeloni2021-02-19T09:45:02-05:00February 19, 2021|Pennsylvania|

Rhode Island

This week NACDS reached out to the Medicaid Director to urge that Rhode Island consider adjusting its COVID vaccination administration fee to cover pharmacy costs, using the Medicare rate as a reference. The Director stated that he would support such an adjustment. It is now in the internal review process.

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

Michael Angeloni2021-02-19T09:43:57-05:00February 19, 2021|Rhode Island|

Texas

NACDS sponsored the Texas Pharmacy Day at the Capitol virtual meeting promoting pharmacy’s 2021 legislative priorities – PBM reform, make permanent access to all immunizations by a pharmacist or certified pharmacy technician without a protocol to anyone three and older, and expanded services allowing pharmacists to furnish specific medications under a physician protocol approved by both the Board of Pharmacy and Medical Board.

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

Michael Angeloni2021-02-19T09:42:28-05:00February 19, 2021|Texas|

Alabama

The Board of Pharmacy issues a proposed rule to adopt regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to establish standards under which a pharmacist, pharmacist intern, or pharmacist extern would administer immunizations. A hearing is scheduled for March 17, 2021, in Birmingham. Comments are due March 6, 2021.

Also in Alabama. The Board of pharmacy published an emergency rule to adopt regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to establish temporary provisions to authorize vaccination by registered pharmacy technicians under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. The rule is effective January 20, 2021 and expires upon removal of the governor’s state of emergency or May 20, 2021, whichever is sooner.

Lastly in Alabama. The Board of Pharmacy issues a final rule to amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to revise pharmacist consultant continuing education requirements to reflect the renewal cycle. The rule is effective March 17, 2021.

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

Michael Angeloni2021-02-12T09:21:16-05:00February 12, 2021|Alabama|

Arkansas

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signed into law Rep. Boyd’s bill amending the Prescription Drug Monitoring Law requiring both prescribers and dispensers to provide physical copies of written or electronic prescriptions upon request. The bill text can be found here.

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

Michael Angeloni2021-02-12T09:18:53-05:00February 12, 2021|Arkansas|

California

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) submitted a disaster relief SPA to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requesting an increase in reimbursement rates for DME oxygen and respiratory equipment, retroactively effective for dates of service beginning on or after March 1, 2020, or at a later date when DHCS implements the new procedure code. DHCS seeks reimbursement rates for 100 percent of the corresponding Medicare rate. The federal fiscal impact for the rate increase is estimated at $3.4 million.

Also in California. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will not resume retroactive pharmacy claim adjustments on February 11. The retroactive pharmacy claim adjustments due to a change in the reimbursement methodology for covered outpatient drugs in 2017 will continue to be paused until further notice. This pause will apply to all pharmacy claims billed through the Medi-Cal fee-for-service Fiscal Intermediary and includes those claims that were also subject to an alternative payment arrangement.

Also in California. The Board of Pharmacy issued a proposed rule establishing training requirements for pharmacists to independently initiate and provide to patients HIV preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis. The rule also would establish related recordkeeping requirements.

Lastly in California. NACDS co-signed a Coalition letter supporting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) budget proposal authorizing Medi-Cal coverage for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems.

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

Michael Angeloni2021-02-12T09:14:59-05:00February 12, 2021|California|

Louisiana

As it is being required by CMS, the Louisiana Department of Health announced plans to launch the new Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal for screening and enrolling both FFS and MCO patients in April of 2021. All providers must submit applications through the portal within six months of the launch. More information is available here.

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

Michael Angeloni2021-02-12T09:14:01-05:00February 12, 2021|Louisiana|