In The States – Page 372 – Weekly news about states

Mississippi

Effective Thursday, November 1, the Division of Medicaid (DOM) is implementinga mandatory billing policy whereby providers must identify 340B purchased drugs on claims. This billing policy is in response to CMS’ requirement that DOM define its policies and oversight activities related to 340B purchased drugs as outlined in CMS State Release No. 161, dated October 26, 2012. This represents a mandatory change to DOM billing policy only and will not impact 340B reimbursement.

Also in Mississippi…The Mississippi Headache Symposium will be held on October 17-18. All licensed healthcare providers interested in improving outcomes for headache sufferers are welcome to attend.

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

Karen White2018-10-12T09:25:31-04:00October 11, 2018|Mississippi|

Pennsylvania

The Department of Human Services issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin last week announcing that on August 8 Medicaid implemented an increase in the pharmacy Professional Dispensing Fee (PDF) from $7.00 to $10.00, based on negotiations with CMS regarding the SPA filed last year. Additionally, Medicaid intends to process retroactive payments to April 1, 2017. Retroactive payments will be processed during the fourth quarter of 2018 and will be received by providers by the end of the current calendar year. The Medical Assistance Bulletin states that the increase is a result of CMS’ concern that the originally-proposed $7.00 PDF did not reflect the PDFs of neighboring states. The amended SPA has been approved by CMS. NACDS thanks the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores and the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association for joining with us to advocate with both CMS and the legislature on this critical issue.

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

Karen White2018-10-12T09:22:48-04:00October 11, 2018|Pennsylvania|

Texas

Recently appointed Board of Pharmacy public member, Daniel Guerrero of San Marcos, toured an HEB pharmacy where pharmacy staff demonstrated the basics of how a prescription is filled. They also administered a flu shot and discussed the pharmacist’s role in providing immunizations, health care screenings and MTM.

Also in Texas… At the recent hearing of the Joint Interim Committee on Prescribing and Dispensing Controlled Substances, two chain pharmacists testified on behalf of NACDS and the Texas Federation of Drug Stores. Jeremy Ashley with Brookshire Grocery Company urged lawmakers to support mandatory e-prescribing of controlled substances. Tomson George with Walgreens asked that legislators clarify the requirement that pharmacists are not required to check the prescription monitoring program for refill medications specified in HB 2561 signed into law last year.

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

Karen White2018-10-12T09:20:23-04:00October 11, 2018|Texas|

Kansas

NACDS participated in a meeting of the Board of Pharmacy’s Technician Task Force which is exploring expanding the current pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio from 3:1 up to 6:1, if four of the technicians are certified.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Karen White2018-10-05T08:17:12-04:00October 4, 2018|Kansas|

Montana

NACDS presented before the Board of Pharmacy requesting elimination of the current 3:1 pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio and expansion of pharmacy technicians’ duties. The Board agreed to eliminate interns from the current 3:1 ratio. Further consideration of pharmacy technician issues will take place at a future Board meeting.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Karen White2018-10-05T08:10:09-04:00October 4, 2018|Montana|

Washington

NACDS attended the last of three workshops, hosted by the State Department of Health, addressing the proposed rules to implement recently enacted drug disposal legislation. NACDS requested clarifying language that would provide a process for pharmacies who are denied participation in the drug disposal program to seek an appeal.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Karen White2018-10-05T08:05:52-04:00October 4, 2018|Washington|

Arkansas

In advance of the September 26 Board of Pharmacy meeting, NACDS submitted comments on proposed changes to Regulation 7 regarding prescription transfers. Our letteradvocated for enhanced technician roles to improve access to patient care services by allowing pharmacy technicians to be involved in the prescription transfer process.

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

Karen White2018-10-01T13:41:42-04:00September 28, 2018|Arkansas|

Colorado

In advance of the September 14 Medical Services Board public hearing, NACDS submitted a comment letter supporting the proposed rule adding pharmacists as providers.

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

Karen White2018-10-01T13:44:37-04:00September 28, 2018|Colorado|

Kansas

The Board of Pharmacy has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to expand K-TRACS, the state’s prescription drug monitoring program. The Board of Pharmacy will use the money to develop a public awareness campaign for K-TRACS, to conduct an audit of K-TRACS records and to hire a special investigator who will use K-TRACS data to identify suspicious and harmful prescribing patterns.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Karen White2018-10-01T13:36:32-04:00September 28, 2018|Kansas|