In The States – Page 285 – Weekly news about states

Louisiana

The Department of Health (LDH), which oversees Medicaid, has issued several updates for pharmacies. Links to those updates are below:

Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale (POS) Diagnosis Code Requirement for Select Medications – August 3, 2020
Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale (POS) Quantity Limits – August 3, 2020
Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale (POS) Edits for Lumateperone (Caplyta™) – August 3, 2020
Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Clinical Authorization for Select Drugs – August 3, 2020
Louisiana Medicaid Provider Updates

Also in Louisiana. LDH announced several extensions through October 31, 2020, due to COVID. Those extensions apply to:

Existing approved prior authorizations on prescribed drugs and physician-administered drugs (drugs included as a medical benefit). According to LDH, this will not affect the number of refills originally authorized by the prescriber.
Member copays for prescribed drugs, which will continue to be waived.
A 90-day supply of appropriate maintenance medications that are not controlled substances. This includes cardiovascular drugs (hypertension, coronary artery disease, thrombosis), diabetes drugs, respiratory drugs (inhaled and oral), contraceptives, antivirals, direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C, immunosuppressives, antipsychotics, and antidepressants, among others.
Member signatures, which will not be required.

Also in Louisiana. The Board of Pharmacy will be holding a virtual full board meeting on Thursday, August 13, 2020. The full agenda can be found here.

Also in Louisiana. The Board of Pharmacy posted its new Pharmacy Law Book. The new law book can be found here.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-08-07T12:23:02-04:00August 7, 2020|Louisiana|

The Missouri Board of Pharmacy is offering its next “Lunch with the Chief Inspector” webinar on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at Noon CST, where they will provide a 2020 state legislative update. Click here to register for the webinar.

Also in Missouri. Missouri’s HealthNet Division (MHD) has announced that it will begin accepting ICD-10 diagnosis codes on pharmacy claims starting August 16, 2020. More information can be found here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Michael Angeloni2020-08-07T12:21:42-04:00August 7, 2020|Missouri|

Nevada

NACDS and the Retail Association of Nevada’s (RAN’s) chain pharmacy members held a call with the Board of Pharmacy Executive Secretary Dave Wuest, who has agreed to move forward with plans to advance a regulation regarding pharmacy technicians administering immunizations at the September 3, 2020, in-person Board meeting in Reno. In addition to adopting permanent rules, the Board plans to pursue the adoption of a temporary regulation using the same language in the permanent regulation, which would serve to bridge the gap until the permanent language is adopted. Lastly, Mr. Wuest informed chain members that he will ask the Board to approve the same language as a non-renewable emergency regulation that would become effective immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State, but will only be effective for 120 days. RAN and NACDS will continue to work closely with the Board to move this language forward in anticipation for the upcoming flu season and release of a vaccine for COVID-19.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-08-07T12:20:13-04:00August 7, 2020|Nevada|

New Hampshire

Governor Chris Sununu (R) signed into law HB 1639, which authorizes pharmacists and pharmacy interns (under direct supervision) to administer a COVID19 vaccine, once available.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-08-07T12:18:43-04:00August 7, 2020|New Hampshire|

Ohio

The Ohio House voted to remove Representative Larry Householder (R) as Speaker of the House by a vote of 90-0. A federal grand jury had previously indicted Representative Larry Householder (R) and four other individuals on various charges, including racketeering. Following that vote, House Republicans chose Representative Bob Cupp (R) to be the next Speaker. Representative Jeffrey Crossman (D) moved to expel Representative Larry Householder (R) from the Legislature during the House session. Ohio House Republicans tabled the motion from further consideration. The Ohio Constitution requires a two-thirds vote for expulsion from the Legislature. Representative Larry Householder (R) retains his House seat and currently has no opponent in the November election. The House is currently in recess until September, and House Rule 1 states only the Speaker can call a session.

Also in Ohio. The Board of Pharmacy has published guidance rescinding rule 4729:5.5.21, which prohibits the sale of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine. The guidance also clarifies that a diagnosis code for COVID is no longer needed to fill those prescriptions as previously required by 4729:5.30.2.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-08-07T12:17:32-04:00August 7, 2020|Ohio|

South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is hosting two provider training sessions. This annual quality improvement training covers retroactive eligibility as it relates to prior authorization, service types, and submission guidelines for prior authorization and includes an overview of the Keystone Peer Review Organization (KEPRO) website and a provider portal. Learn more here.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-08-07T12:16:12-04:00August 7, 2020|South Carolina|

South Dakota

NACDS participated in a meeting of a committee comprised of representatives from the Board of Pharmacy, Board of Nursing, and Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners. Applicable South Dakota statutes require this group to address pharmacist immunization standards. The committee agreed to allow the Board of Pharmacy’s immunization rule language to proceed. The Board of Pharmacy anticipates holding an August meeting to engage in discussions on the broader rule package shared with members previously.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Michael Angeloni2020-08-07T12:15:10-04:00August 7, 2020|South Dakota|

Texas

On August 4, the Board of Pharmacy agreed to adopt proposed rules from the November 3, 2020 board meeting that would expand pharmacy technician duties(accepting oral prescriptions, transferring a prescription, and contacting the prescriber to clarify information on an existing prescription order)for all classes of pharmacy except Class C hospital pharmacies. The Board also agreed to adopt proposed rules increasing the pharmacists-to-pharmacy technician ratio for Class A retail pharmacies from 1:4 to 1:6.

Also in Texas. Effective October 15, 2020, Samuel M. Poloyac will serve as the next dean of the University of Texas College of Pharmacy. Dean-designate Poloyac currently serves as the associate dean for graduate and postdoctoral programs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Retiring Dean Lynn Crismon will support Dr. Poloyac throughout the transition.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-08-07T12:13:32-04:00August 7, 2020|Texas|

Wisconsin

For members of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, there is an opportunity to serve on a newly forming Community Pharmacy Advisory Committee. Interested individuals should complete this application by August 13. Please contact Kari Trapskin with any questions.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Michael Angeloni2020-08-07T12:12:25-04:00August 7, 2020|Wisconsin|