Maine
On June 15, the Maine legislature approved LD 899, a bill that would authorize certified pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and complete a certification program. Said certification program must be approved by the board and have at least six (6) hours of vaccine-related training that includes, at a minimum, training on the safe and effective administration of vaccines, hands-on injection technique, clinical evaluation of indications and contraindications of vaccines and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines and cardiovascular life support training. Lastly, the bill also clarifies the timing of when vaccine administration training requirements must be completed by pharmacists. The measure was approved with an emergency preamble and will be effective upon signing by the Governor.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Maryland
Medicaid issued Advisory #248 from the Office of Pharmacy Services in reference to the Generic vs. Brand Status on Maryland’s Preferred Drug List effective July 1, 2023.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Michigan
NACDS filed comments with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) supporting its proposed rule pursuant to the PBM (Pharmacy Benefits Managers) Licensure and Regulation Act.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
New Hampshire
Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed SB 35, a bill that authorizes pharmacists, pharmacy interns and licensed advanced pharmacy technicians to administer an RSV vaccine to adults.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Oregon
The Oregon Board of Pharmacy permanently adopted the following rules at the June 2023 Board Meeting:
- Divisions 006/041/043/045/080/139/141 related to Standards Adopted by Reference *Effective 6/13/2023
- Divisions 019/020 related to Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority *Effective 6/13/2023
- Continuation of Therapy including Emergency Refills of Insulin v. 6/2023
- Travel Medications v. 6/2023
- HIV Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) v. 6/2023
- HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) v. 6/2023
- Contraception v. 6/2023
- Divisions 019/041/043/045/080/139/141/143 related to Annual Self-Inspection Form Completion Date *Effective 8/1/2023
Also in Oregon, the House passed the following bills this week:
- HB 2725 (A-Engrossed), legislation prohibiting PBMs from retroactively denying or reducing payment on a claim after adjudication unless the pharmacy and the PBM agree that payment was incorrect due to a clerical error and requiring PBMs, if denying or reducing reimbursement on a claim, to provide notice to the pharmacy of the specific claim that is denied or reduced and an explanation for the denial or reduction.
- HB 3013 (B-Engrossed), legislation requiring PBMs to be licensed by the Department of Consumer & Business Services, amending the definition of "pharmacy benefit manager", establishing a rate floor, permitting pharmacies to file a complaint with the Department of Consumer & Business Services, imposing new requirements to coverage of 340B drugs and various other provisions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
As a reminder, the state’s Naloxone Copay Assistance Program will reimburse pharmacies up to $75.00 for Naloxone claims for any patient who appears hesitant to fill, regardless of the type of insurance they have (public or commercial), and those without coverage. Developed jointly by NACDS/PACDS members and the Governor’s Opioid Task Force, claims are billed through the PACE (Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly) program’s platform to make it seamless for pharmacies, with little criteria for the patient to qualify. Due to underutilization, the state recently reissued a bulletin outlining NCPDP D.0 payer specifications/billing instructions for pharmacies. It is NACDS’ understanding the $75.00 may be billed for either a copay or to offset total cost.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Tennessee
TennCare is continuing the process of reviewing all covered drug classes. Changes to the PDL (preferred drug list) may occur as new classes are reviewed, and previously reviewed classes are revisited. As a result of these changes, some medications your patients are now taking may be considered non-preferred agents in the future. Please inform your patients who are on these medications that switching to preferred products will decrease delays in receiving their medications. We encourage you to contact OptumRx's Pharmacy Support Center (866-434-5520) or tnrxeducation@optum.com should you have additional questions. For more details on Clinical Criteria, please visit the website.
Also in Tennessee, the Tennessee Pharmacists Research and Education Foundation is looking to partner with 10 additional pharmacies for the Community Outreach Immunization Initiative. This opportunity is open to pharmacies across Tennessee that are willing to engage patients that have not received their COVID-19 vaccination series, as well as any other patients who may have gaps in their vaccination history. This opportunity will be a nine (9) month commitment and could earn your pharmacy up to $31,500. If you are interested register at the link here. If you have further questions about this opportunity, reach out to Danielle McCoy.
Finally in Tennessee, this communiqué has been sent to provide further clarification on the buprenorphine update changes that became effective May 15, 2023. Additionally, you will find an updated memo that properly reflects the recent buprenorphine changes for your records.
We encourage you to review this information thoroughly and contact the OptumRx Pharmacy Supports Center at 866-434-5520 or tnrxeducation@optum.com should you have questions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
The Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young announced that Emily Zalkovsky will lead the Medicaid and CHIP Services division as the Medicaid Director, effective July 1, replacing Stephanie Stephens.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is aware of a drug shortage for the brand name Chantix in the Smoking Cessation drug class due to a manufacturing delay of this product by Pfizer. In response to the preferred brand name Chantix shortage, HHSC removed the non-preferred status from the generic product, varenicline, on the preferred drug list.
Also in Texas, the HHSC Vendor Drug Program's (VDP's) Medicaid-enrolled pharmacy providers must ensure their email address is on file and up to date within the Provider Enrollment and Management System (PEMS). You can access the PEMS-associated job aid, Verifying an Email in PEMS (PDF), on tmhp.com if you need help confirming your email address. Your correct email address in PEMS means you will receive timely enrollment-related notifications from TMHP (Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership). If you have marked TMHP notifications as spam or have blocked TMHP notifications, you will no longer receive those notifications. Additional information related to email addresses in PEMS is available in the Preparing for PEMS Guide (PDF) on tmhp.com.
Finally in Texas, HHSC VDP has updated two manuals of interest to pharmacies:
- The VDP Website Handbook includes several resources and references for stakeholders. Many are updated regularly and can resolve issues or prevent the need for a phone call to the help desk or emailing HHSC. This manual provides guidance and instruction on viewing or downloading manuals, forms and delimited data files.
- Pharmacy Provider Procedural Manual (PPPM) is a comprehensive resource for pharmacy providers enrolled with HHSC. The VDP publishes this manual with information about benefits, policies and procedures for outpatient pharmacy claims and rebates.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Washington
The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) held a workshop on June 15 to review stakeholder comments on PQAC prepared draft rules on the accessible labeling issue.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Alabama
The Medicaid Agency implemented a Telemedicine Policy effective June 1, 2023. The Telemedicine Policy and detailed information are located in Chapter 112 of the July 2023 publication of the Provider Billing Manual.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted these resources to provide further resources to assist with Medi-Cal Rx Reinstatement.
- Medi-Cal Rx Reinstatement: Phases II-III: Easy access to resources and support
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions regarding Medi-Cal Rx Reinstatement
- DHCS Medi-Cal Rx Reinstatement slide deck
- Medi-Cal Rx Reinstatement information page: Select Medi-Cal Rx Reinstatement tab, located on the left
For further questions, email Medi-Cal Rx Education & Outreach. DHCS values your input. Please complete this short survey to provide feedback.
Also in California, this week, the Board of Pharmacy issued a notice to be “Beware of Scam Calls” as a result of licensees reporting being victimized by scam callers claiming to represent the “California State Board of Pharmacy” (Board) or another government agency.
Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following alerts and weekly wrap-ups on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
District of Columbia
The Board of Pharmacy’s June newsletter has been published.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Florida
Consumers can purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from tax during the two 2023 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays, May 27- June 9, 2023, and August 26-September 8, 2023.
Also in Florida, the Board of Pharmacy is developing amendments to Rule 64B16-27.650 regarding additional immunizations or vaccines which may be administered.
Finally in Florida, the Board of Pharmacy proposes amending Rule 64B16-28.108 regarding dispensing medication to a blind or visually impaired patient. More information can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Illinois
Due to the access to care issue for bronchodilation medications for customers with asthma and other respiratory issues, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will temporarily remove the prior authorization requirements for generic albuterol sulfate inhalers, effective immediately. Pharmacy providers with questions may contact the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565 for FFS claims, or the applicable MCO.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Indiana
The Health Coverage Programs (IHCP), Medicaid, issued a bulletin updating the prior authorizations, preferred dug list and over-the-counter formularies approved at the May meeting of the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board.
Also in Indiana, IHCP announced pharmacy benefit COVID updates in response to the expiration of the public health emergency (PHE).
Also in Indiana, the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services (FFSA) recently adopted a rule clarifying electronic signatures.
Also in Indiana, last week Gainwell Technologies migrated the Indiana Medicaid system (CoreMMIS) to the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud. IHPC’s Provider Healthcare Portal also migrated to AWS as part of this initiative.
Finally in Indiana, on July 5, 2023, the FFSA will adopt a single Medicaid formulary, called the statewide uniform preferred drug list (SUPDL), which will align members enrolled in Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), Hoosier Care Connect or Hoosier Healthwise managed care entity (MCE) with the fee-for-service (FFS) formulary.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Iowa
The Department of Health and Human Services published the following:
- INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2454-MC-FFS – June 2023 Iowa Medicaid Pharmacy Program Changes
- INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2455-MC-FFS – Premiums and Co-payments for Medicaid, Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawki), Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP), Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities (MEPD)
Also in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy posted the June 2023 newsletter including the following articles:
- Hazardous Drug Labeling Regarding Administration by Nonpatient
- Rules Adopted Relating to Bronchodilators and Opioid Antagonists for Schools; Practice of Nursing Under Pharmacist Orders
- Approval of OTC Naloxone and the Impact on the Board’s Protocol and Statewide Standing Order
- Opioid Manufacturer Provision of Mail-Back Envelopes
- Importance of Ensuring That Applications Are Complete
- Reminder of the Security Requirements Effective July 6, 2023
- Governor Reynolds’ Executive Order Number 10
Finally in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy announced the online payment system issues have been resolved. Note: if an online application and payment was submitted between May 31 and June 6, please do not resubmit the application and fee without checking the status of your license or registration.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Kentucky
The Kentucky Pharmacists Association (KPhA) is seeking Kentucky-licensed pharmacists to serve on the newly formed Board of Pharmacy Advisory Council. KPhA is responsible for appointing five of the nine pharmacist members on the council as outlined below:
- Two pharmacists appointed by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association;
- One pharmacist who practices or specializes primarily in a mail-order pharmacy appointed by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association;
- One pharmacist who practices or specializes primarily in a veterinary pharmacist appointed by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association
- One pharmacist who practices in a specialized pharmacy that solely or mostly provides medication to persons living with serious health conditions requiring complex therapies, appointed by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association.
Click here for further information or to apply.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
The legislature adjourned its fiscal session at 6:00 p.m. on June 8. Hours prior to adjournment, HB 471, legislation that would allow pharmacists, pharmacy interns supervised by a pharmacist and licensed technicians supervised by a pharmacist to administer immunizations to individuals seven years of age or older, passed the Senate after the conference committee stripped the killer Vaccines for Children amendments from the bill. However, the bill failed to pass the House; it was three votes short. The final House vote was 50-45, and we needed 53 votes for the bill to pass.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Massachusetts
The Board of Pharmacy has announced that Massachusetts pharmacists may provide patients of abruptly-closed Compass Medical practices with up to 30-days of certain medications even if they do not have remaining refills on their prescriptions. The southeastern Massachusetts medical clinic group shuttered suddenly last week, leaving tens of thousands of patients in the lurch and in need of alternate care arrangements. Under a policy adopted in April, state pharmacy regulators said, pharmacists are allowed to dispense Schedule VI medications that do not require a report to the state Prescription Monitoring Program without a refill order as a way of giving patients the time to find another prescriber. The board’s notice specified that federally controlled substances and gabapentin cannot be provided.
Also in Massachusetts, MassHealth announced in its Pharmacy Claims Processing Update, effective June 5, 2023, MassHealth Members who have no history of a paid MassHealth claim for an opioid in the past 90 days will be limited to a seven-day supply for their first fill with an exception. Please see details in the “Pharmacy Facts”.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Michigan
The Board of Pharmacy has published the agenda for the June 14 meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Nebraska
On June 6, Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed LB 227 that includes among its various provisions the administration of vaccines by pharmacy technicians under the supervision of the pharmacist and the ability of the central fill pharmacy to deliver prescriptions to patients/caregivers if the dispensing pharmacy and the central fill pharmacy are under common ownership and whereas the dispensing pharmacy is responsible for prescriptions filled.
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services posted the recording from the June 7 COVID-19 Provider Call.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Nevada
The legislature adjourned its biennial session on June 5. Prior to adjournment, both chambers passed AB 107, out of state licensing issue chain pharmacies supported that the Governor signed into law, effective October 1, 2023. Both chambers also passed and sent to the Governor SB 57 giving the Insurance Commissioner oversight of PBMs by requiring them to register.
Also in Nevada, Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) immediately called a special session for June 6. Shortly thereafter, the Governor convened a second special session solely focused on financing a new major league baseball stadium in Las Vegas.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
On June 7, the State Senate approved A6779A, a bill expanding and improving last year’s long-acting-injectable law by removing the “deltoid only” location requirement. The bill now moves to the House.
Also in New York, the State Department of Health Office of Health Insurance Programs will be hosting an informational webinar on the 2023-2024 Enacted Medicaid Budget, on June 15 at 9:00 a.m., which will focus on Medicaid-specific priorities of the Governor’s 2023-24 Enacted Executive Budget. This webinar will be recorded and made available on the NYS DOH Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) Budget Information webpage.
Finally in New York, the next Medicaid pharmacy benefit fee-for-service (NYRx) monthly all stakeholders call about the pharmacy benefit transition will be held on June 21 at 2:00 p.m. Registration is required to attend.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
North Carolina
Proposed Rules from the Board of Pharmacy concerning direct-to-patient delivery systems (21 NCAC 46.1821) are slated for a public hearing on June 13 and written comments are due to the Board by June 16.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Ohio
This week, the Senate Finance Committee added language to the state budget bill (HB 33) to preserve the ability of pharmacists, pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to administer all ACIP-recommended vaccines to patients who are five years of age and older. It also eliminates the onerous requirement for a prescription for patients ages 7-12 years. NACDS is working diligently with in-state partners to preserve the language as the budget process moves forward. Your communication with Ohio Legislators is highly encouraged. Help us demonstrate to legislators the importance of this legislative remedy to patients in the communities we serve! Simply click here, type in your contact information, and the system will generate personalized communications to your state legislators.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.