Mississippi
The Mississippi House and Senate adjourned last week and will return no later than October 5, 2020 for a 6-day extension of the session.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Missouri
The following is from the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance: “Governor Michael Parson recently announced that all COVID-19 statutory/rule waivers approved by the Governor pursuant to Executive Order 20-02 have been extended until December 30, 2020. All Board waivers that were set to expire on June 15, 2020, and September 1, 2020, will now be in effect until December 30, 2020. A list of approved Board COVID-19 waivers is available on the Board’s website. Please e-mail the Board at compliance@pr.mo.gov, if you have any additional questions.”
Also in Missouri. The Department of Social Services has published a provider survey about MOHealthNet’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the survey questions asks providers about temporary regulatory flexibilities that should be made permanent. The survey is open until July 17, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Nevada
On July 8th, Gov. Steve Sisolak convened a legislative special session and issued a Proclamation to address the State’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic. The legislative office building is closed to the public.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Jersey
This week the Assembly passed A4012/S2436 legislation which would authorize pharmacists to administer COVID19 testing. The Senate passed an identical version earlier this year. The bill has been sent to Governor Phil Murphy (D) for his signature and passage into law.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
North Carolina
The state’s Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medicaid Assistance has announced that Myers and Stauffer will be conducting a Cost of Dispensing Study which will be utilized to determine the dispensing fee for pharmacists for the North Carolina Medicaid program. The surveys will be mailed on July 7, 2020, and the due date is August 18, 2020.
Also in North Carolina. The General Assembly adjourned this week but will return on September 2, 2020. The adjournment resolution limits activity during the September session to COVID-19 funding issues, appointments, and veto overrides.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Ohio
HB 341, a bill that would allow pharmacists to administer long-acting or extended-release drugs to treat addiction, has passed out of the Legislature. Sponsored by Rep. Timothy Ginter (R), the bill is on its way to Gov. Mike DeWine (R) for signature.
Also in Ohio. Medicaid (ODM) released guidance on pharmacy billing COVID-19 test specimen collection. Unfortunately, the guidance does not follow the new NCPDP standard. NACDS is working with members and in-state partners to correct this.
Also in Ohio. Medicaid ODM published draft rules to implement SB 265 of 2019, permissive provider status for pharmacists. The rules will allow pharmacists to receive payment for managing medication therapy, administering immunizations and medications only if the service is medically necessary and is substantiated by a written order from a prescriber. NACDS has urged ODM to amend the language to allow pharmacists to perform services that are s within a pharmacist’s scope of practice and deemed appropriate based on the pharmacist’s professional judgement.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pennsylvania
Senator Judy Ward (R) introduced SB 1210, legislation that would allow pharmacists to perform independent COVID-19 point of care tests authorized by the FDA by suspending the laboratory work experience required by state law. NACDS drafted the language and is working jointly with the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS) to push this measure forward.
Also in Pennsylvania. HB 941 sponsored by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R) was amended and reported out of the Senate Health Committee. The bill contains PBM transparency provisions, as well as language intended to set reimbursement rates in managed care. The committee indicated there is more work to be done on this measure over the summer. NACDS will be supporting PACDS efforts to make the reimbursement language more definitive during this process.
Also in Pennsylvania. SB 943, a bill that prohibits PBMs from restricting pharmacists’ ability to discuss cost-sharing amounts and other information regarding drug costs to patients, was amended on third consideration then passed unanimously by the Senate. Commonly referred to as a “gag clause” prohibition, the amended bill is now eligible for concurrence in the House.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
Effective July 15, 2020, South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will update the standard basis of payment for the FFS pharmacy benefit to provide payment at the lowest of:
- The actual acquisition cost (AAC) plus a professional dispensing fee (PDF) of $10.50;
- The state’s maximum allowable cost plus a PDF of $10.50; or,
- The usual and customary charges to the general public.
The AAC is defined as the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). In those instances where the NADAC does not exist, the AAC is defined as the wholesale acquisition cost. For more information, click here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
The Drug Utilization Review Board announced that they will be performing a clinical review anticonvulsant, antihemophilic, antineoplastic, antiretroviral, and medications used to treat multiple sclerosis at the October 23, 2020 meeting. These are protected drug classes not currently reviewed on the Texas Medicaid Preferred Drug List. All medications within these drug classes will be preferred and continue to be available without prior authorization. For more information, contact vdp-formulary@hhsc.state.tx.us.
Also in Texas. Health and Human Service Commission’s Vendor Drug Program plans to publish the semi-annual update of the Medicaid preferred drug list on July 27, 2020. The new preferred drug classes are Glucagon Agents, Immunomodulators, Asthma and Sickle Cell Anemia Treatments.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.