In The States – Page 58 – Weekly news about states

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy issued a reminder to pharmacists regarding Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs). CPAs are established between medical providers and pharmacists and are housed at the Medical Board, not the Board of Pharmacy. It is important to note that CPAs are established between a physician and a lead pharmacist, not a pharmacy. In the event of a change of pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) at a pharmacy that affects an established CPA, a new CPA must be submitted to the Medical Board for review.

Also in Alaska, pharmacists now have the authority to prescribe immunizations, epinephrine, and emergency drugs. As a result, a Collaborative Practice Agreement is not required to prescribe and administer these items.

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

Michael Silber2024-01-12T12:05:53-05:00January 12, 2024|Alaska|

Arkansas

The Board of Pharmacy met at the Board offices in Little Rock on January 9 and 10.

Also in Arkansas, the state pharmacist’s association received a grant of $78,548. The funds will be utilized in 2024 to educate pharmacists and prescribers about the pharmaceutical supply chain regulatory guidance and oversight mandated by the federal government for drug wholesalers. The training aims to inform them about how this regulation affects patients, physicians, and the local pharmacists.

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

Michael Silber2024-01-12T12:05:21-05:00January 12, 2024|Arkansas|

California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts, bulletins, and weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. 

Planned User Administration Console (UAC) System Migration for January 13, 2024 (January 11)
Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for December 29-January 4 (January 5)
Prior Authorization Request Requirement for Reyvow® (Lasmiditan Succinate) (January 3)
Medical Foods Are Not a Covered Benefit (January 2)
Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for January (January 2)
Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List (January 2)
Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List – Authorized Drug Manufacturer Labeler Codes (January 2)
Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (January 2)
Medical Suppliers Reminder: Updates to Diabetic Testing Supplies 100-Count LifeScan, Inc.’s OneTouch Verio Test Strips Will No Longer Be Contracted, Effective January 1, 2024 (January 1)
Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for December 15-28 (December 29)
Reimbursement for Commercial Lagevrio (Molnupiravir) (December 19)
Reject Code 16 – Implementation Date Postponed (December 18)
Medical Suppliers Reminder: Updates to Diabetic Testing Supplies 100-Count LifeScan, Inc.’s OneTouch Verio Test Strips Will No Longer Be Contracted, Effective January 1, 2024 (December 15)
Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for December 8-14 (December 15)
Reinstatement Spotlight (December 15)

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

Michael Silber2024-01-12T12:04:39-05:00January 12, 2024|California|

Colorado

The legislature convened on January 10.

Also in Colorado, an interim committee bill drafted by the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee addressing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) prescribing by pharmacists is expected to be filed soon.

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

Michael Silber2024-01-12T12:03:33-05:00January 12, 2024|Colorado|

Delaware

The Board of Pharmacy will be holding its regular meeting on January 17. The agenda includes Pharmacists Dispensing and Administering Contraceptives Regulation Draft Update, Pharmacists Well-Being Index, Board of Pharmacy Act Revisions and Review and Consideration of Pharmacy License Specialties.

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

Michael Silber2024-01-12T12:03:04-05:00January 12, 2024|Delaware|

Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) released his Focus on Florida’s Future Budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2024-25. The proposed budget comes in at $114.4 billion, which is a $4.6 billion decrease compared to the state’s FY 2023-24 budget. Governor DeSantis’ Focus on Florida’s Future Budget supports more than $1.1 billion in tax relief and the renewal of four traditional sales tax holidays as well as more than $153 million from the nationwide Opioid Settlement Agreement to continue support for the Office of Opioid Recovery, an accredited Graduate Medical Education program to increase the number of psychiatric residents and for other initiatives that support education, treatment and prevention for individuals with substance use disorders. The full budget highlights are available online.

Also in Florida, the Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) has filed six (6) new Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supply Services Coverage Policies for adoption in the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). These new policies took effect on January 10. Please visit the Agency’s website at Adopted Rules – Main Page (myflorida.com) for details on the new Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supply Services Coverage Policies.

Finally in Florida, the Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) has been working on modifying the way diabetic supplies are provided to Floridians served through the State’s Medicaid program by transitioning reimbursement for diabetic supplies from the durable medical equipment (DME) fee schedule to the pharmacy point of sale system. The Agency plans to release the Preferred Product List as referenced in proposed rule 59G-4.002, along with a resource toolkit to assist providers with billing for diabetic supplies through the pharmacy point of sale system. Until further direction is given, the Agency will continue to reimburse DME providers for all currently available diabetic supplies listed on the Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supply Services Provider Fee Schedule using the existing reimbursement process.

All interested parties should continue to check the Agency’s Pharmacy Policy webpage periodically and read all Agency alerts that are sent out regarding these changes. Interested Parties may also email the Agency at PharmacyPolicy@ahca.myflorida.com with any questions.

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

Michael Silber2024-01-12T12:02:29-05:00January 12, 2024|Florida|

Georgia

The Legislature convened on January 8. Legislation regarding reimbursement and scope issues that carried over from the 2023 session are expected to be heard during the 2024 session.

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

Michael Silber2024-01-12T12:01:38-05:00January 12, 2024|Georgia|

Idaho

On April 6, 2023, Gov. Brad Little (R) signed HB 71, the Vulnerable Child Protective Act prohibiting puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and sex reassignment surgeries for children under the age of 18 when administered or performed for the purpose of changing the appearance of a child’s sex with exemption for medically necessary uses of these drugs and procedures. On December 26, 2023, in a preliminary order, U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill issued an order enjoining enforcement of HB 71 pending the outcome of litigation initiated by families filing a suit challenging the state law; Judge Winmill wrote that the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and due process give parents the right to get gender-affirming care for their children.

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

Michael Silber2024-01-12T12:01:08-05:00January 12, 2024|Idaho|

Illinois

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has issued a Provider Notice regarding Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines for Medicaid customers. Additional information on other Provider Notices regarding these vaccines are available online.

Questions regarding this notice may be directed to a pharmacy consultant in the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565 for Medicaid Fee-for-Service claims, or the appropriate Medicaid Managed Care program.

Also in Illinois, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) continues to prepare for the release of the new over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill, Opill, which is anticipated in early 2024. Opill will be covered by HFS under both the Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) and Managed Care programs without a prescription for women aged 18 years and older.

HFS requires pharmacies to submit all claims, including those for OTC medications, with a prescriber National Provider Identifier (NPI) in the Prescriber ID field (411-DB). For Opill, pharmacies may bill using the Department of Public Health standing order prescriber NPI for hormonal contraceptives.

Questions regarding this notice may be directed to a pharmacy consultant in the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565 for FFS claims, or the appropriate Medicaid Managed Care program.

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

Michael Silber2024-01-12T11:59:54-05:00January 12, 2024|Illinois|