In The States – Page 332 – Weekly news about states

West Virginia

With NACDS support, legislation that will require health plans to provide payment for pharmacists’ services has passed both chambers in West Virginia and is on its way to Gov. Jim Justice (R) for signature. SB 787, sponsored by Sen. Erik Tarr (R), requires that any health plan issued, amended, or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2021 cover any service provided by pharmacists’ within their scope of practice and requires health plans to have an adequate number of pharmacists in network for services beyond the plans’ drug benefit.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-03-12T10:08:41-04:00March 12, 2020|West Virginia|

Alabama

Effective April 1, 2020, the Alabama Medicaid Agency will implement hard edits on cumulative daily MME claims exceeding 150 MME/day. A phase-in period for claims exceeding 120 MME/day, but less than 150 MME/day, will also be implemented. To view the full ALERT, click here.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-03-05T12:12:22-05:00March 5, 2020|Alabama|

California

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed two new members to the Board of Pharmacy: Vons pharmacist Seung Oh and Safeway pharmacist Jignesh “Jig” Patel. Rotating off the Board were Allen Schaad and public member Valerie Muñoz.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-03-05T12:11:04-05:00March 5, 2020|California|

Colorado

Colorado’s bill, HB20-1061, legislation that would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense PEP and PrEP medications, was amended again. The bill is expected to pass the House this week and to be referred to the Senate for further consideration.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-03-05T12:09:44-05:00March 5, 2020|Colorado|

Louisiana

NACDS and the Louisiana Retailers Association succeeded in finding legislators to pre-file legislation advancing the practice of pharmacy. Rep. Regina Ashford Barrow (D) introduced a broad immunization expansion bill, SB 296. and Rep. Joseph Stagni (R), Chiropractic Physician, filed HB 459, legislation that mandates payment for healthcare services performed by pharmacists was modeled after the 2019 Texas law. The Legislature convenes at Noon on Monday, March 9.

Also in Louisiana… The Department of Health recently posted these provider notices:

https://www.lamedicaid.com/provweb1/Pharmacy/March_Implementations_2-28-20.pdf

https://www.lamedicaid.com/sitesearch/searchpura.aspx

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

Michael Angeloni2020-03-05T12:07:48-05:00March 5, 2020|Louisiana|

Michigan

The House Health Policy Committee will hear SB 248 and SB 254, legislation to require electronic prescribing, on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 10:30 am.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-03-05T12:05:58-05:00March 5, 2020|Michigan|

Missouri

The Missouri Pharmacy Association’s Legislative Day will be held on April 1, 2020 in Jefferson City. For more information and to register, please visit the MPA Legislative Day web page.

Also in Missouri… In its Winter newsletter, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs reminds readers that electronic prescribing passwords cannot be shared.

Also in Missouri… The Board of Pharmacy’s next “Lunch with the Chief Inspector” webinar will be held on March 26, 2020 at 12 pm Central. The webinar will feature an update from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Click here for more information and to register.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-03-05T12:00:05-05:00March 5, 2020|Missouri|

Nebraska

Nebraska Pharmacist Association (NPA) Chief Executive Officer Joni Cover announced she would be leaving NPA to take a policy and legal position the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. NACDS salutes Joni for her seventeen years leadership at NPA.

Also in Nebraska… The Nebraska Pharmacist Association (NPA) announced the appointment of Dr. Kendra Kapels, PharmD, RP, to the NPA Board of Directors. Dr. Kapels is a pharmacist at Walgreens in Columbus and currently chairs the NPA Chain Network.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-03-05T11:54:42-05:00March 5, 2020|Nebraska|

Nevada

In response to an invitation by Nevada Senator Nicole Cannizzaro and her Committee to Conduct an Interim Study Concerning the Costs of Prescription Drugs authorized by Senate Bill 276 (2019), NACDS prepared comments for our in-state partner, Liz MacMenamin with the Retail Association of Nevada, to present to legislators at the second of five meetings held on February 28^th. Other panelists testifying were representatives from PCMA, health plans, BIOS, PhRMA, generic manufacturers, AARP, and the culinary union. The purpose of the committee is to identify solutions for drafting legislation for the 2021 session. For more information go to – https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/InterimCommittee/REL/Interim2019/Committee/1574/Meetings

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

Michael Angeloni2020-03-05T11:52:26-05:00March 5, 2020|Nevada|