The Department of Social Services (DSS) issued a notice to all Medicaid providers about changes to the prescription drug benefit concerning opioids, including an early refill threshold and supply limits, targeted for implementation on Friday, June 1 and Wednesday, August 1, respectively. The DSS notice also includes additional policy changes and implementation timelines.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
On May 3, Gov. Bill Haslam (R) signed into law HB 1993. The newly enacted law requires that on or after Wednesday, January 1, 2020, prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances in the state of Tennessee must be issued as an electronic prescription from the person issuing the prescription to a pharmacy. The name, address and telephone number of the collaborating physician of an advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant shall be included on the electronic prescription. The measure does exclude certain types of prescriptions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Health and Human Services Commissions’ Vendor Drug Program (VDP) announced that beginning Friday, May 18 prescribing pharmacists will be able to enroll in Texas Medicaid as an ordering, referring or prescribing provider. In accordance with federal regulation 42 CFR 455.410, prescribing pharmacists who write prescriptions for people enrolled in Medicaid fee-for-service must enroll as an ordering, referring or prescribing provider. This requirement does not apply to Medicaid managed care. To allow prescribing pharmacists time to enroll with Texas Medicaid Healthcare Partnership (TMHP), VDP will not deny pharmacy claims when the prescribing pharmacist is not enrolled until Monday, August 20. Please refer to the TMHP website for more information and enrollment instructions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) is assisting the state Department of Justice with creating a list of local permanent drug disposal sites. If your pharmacy has a permanent drug disposal box, PSW asks that you email PSW’s Director of Public Affairs, Danielle Womack, with your pharmacy name and address.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Letters submitted by NACDS and others opposing HB18-1538, legislation that would require pharmacies to post for the public each pharmacy’s drug prices, was killed in the House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee last week by a surprising 12-1 vote.
Also in Colorado…HB 18-1284, The Patient Drug Cost Savings Act, passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and was signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper (D). Among its various provisions, the newly enacted law states a carrier or PBM acting on behalf of the carrier shall not prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist from providing a covered person with information about the amount of the covered person’s cost share for the covered person’s prescription drug and the clinical efficacy of a more affordable alternative drug among its various provisions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Human Services announced that, for a second consecutive year, they will receive grant money from the 21st Century Cures Act to fight the opioid crisis. Among its uses, the $16 million grant will enable enhancements to the prescription monitoring program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Board of Pharmacy launched its new database on May 1. Online licensing and renewals are expected to be available on Tuesday, May 15.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Board of Pharmacy is hosting a free webinar on Thursday, May 10 at 12:00 pm Central, featuring an update from Michael Boeger, Administrator of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and Tom Glenski, R.Ph., Chief Inspector. Additional details and information to register are available online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Creighton University will host the 15th annual Immunize Nebraska program on Friday, May 25. The registration deadline is Tuesday, May 22. Organizers include the the Creighton University Health Sciences Continuing Education, Immunization Task Force Metro Omaha, Methodist Health System and the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.