In The States – Page 89 – Weekly news about states

North Carolina

IMMUNIZING PHARMACISTS’ AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER COVID-19 AND FLU VACCINES TO PEDIATRIC PATIENTS. With flu and COVID vaccine season upon us, several pharmacists have reached out to Board staff about immunizing pharmacist authority to administer flu and COVID vaccine to pediatric patients. With all the recent changes to North Carolina law and PREP (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness) Act declarations, it can be confusing. Here is the skinny on flu and COVID vaccine authority:

PREP Act declarations authorizing pharmacists to administer flu and COVID vaccine to patients aged 3 years and older are still in effect and will be until December 31, 2024.

State law now allows immunizing pharmacists to administer flu and COVID vaccine to patients aged 7 years and older pursuant to protocol and parental permission. State law allows immunizing pharmacists to administer any ACIP-recommended vaccine to patients 6 and older pursuant to prescription and parental permission.

So, for flu and COVID – immunizing pharmacists can administer to patients 3 years and older and can do that under their own authority under the PREP Act. Immunizing pharmacists can also use Dr. Tilson’s statewide standing order to do this for COVID vaccine (which typically makes billing and recordkeeping easier). These paths are available until December 31, 2024.

After December 31, 2024, immunizing pharmacists can administer flu and COVID vaccine pursuant to protocol, but only to patients aged 7 years or older, or pursuant to prescription for patients aged 6 years or older.

For a comprehensive overview of immunizing pharmacist authority, see the FAQ guidance.

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

Michael Silber2023-10-20T12:13:13-04:00October 20, 2023|North Carolina|

Oklahoma

Effective September 1, 2023, pharmacy technicians may administer any vaccine that is approved or licensed by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if they have successfully completed an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-accredited training program and have current CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification. Also, the pharmacy technician must complete one hour of immunization-related ACPE-accredited or Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy-approved continuing education every year.

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

Michael Silber2023-10-20T12:12:33-04:00October 20, 2023|Oklahoma|

Oregon

The Board of Pharmacy permanently adopted the following rules at the October 2023 Board Meeting effective October 17, 2023, unless otherwise noted: 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy announced the agency’s new director, Jamal Fox. Fox has more than 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors. Fox will start his new role with the agency beginning October 25.

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

Michael Silber2023-10-20T12:11:56-04:00October 20, 2023|Oregon|

Rhode Island

Please see the most recent Provider Update for Medicaid. All provider updates may also be found here.

Also in Rhode Island, effective October 1, 2023, Katie Beckett recipients will now be enrolled in a managed care organization for Case Management Services only. Case Management services are provided by CEDARR Center Providers. All other services will still be reimbursed through Medicaid fee for service.

When checking eligibility on the Healthcare Portal (HCP) you will see the following (see sample picture below):

A new row under Benefit Plan Details – Katie Beckett Case Management
A new row under Managed Care Details – Displays the name and dates of the Managed Care Plan the recipient is enrolled in.

If you are a CEDARR provider and the recipient is enrolled in the Katie Beckett case management program, then you must bill your services to the managed care plan on file. All other providers will continue to bill Medicaid Fee for Service.

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

Michael Silber2023-10-20T12:11:10-04:00October 20, 2023|Rhode Island|

South Dakota

The Board of Pharmacy posted their October 2023 Newsletter including the following sections:

South Dakota Board Welcomes Newly Registered Pharmacists and Pharmacies
DSCSA (Drug Supply Chain Security Act) Interoperability Standards Delayed Until November 2024
USP Compounding Chapters Update
Does a Pharmacy Need to be Licensed to Ship Medications to Other States?
The Board Has a New Website
The Board Will Propose a Bill to Increase License Fees in the 2024 Session
DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) Issues Multiple Guidance Documents in Recent Months
PDMP (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program) Update
Board Meeting Dates, Board of Pharmacy Members and Board of Pharmacy Staff Directory

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

Michael Silber2023-10-20T12:10:19-04:00October 20, 2023|South Dakota|

Tennessee

To assist prescribers and providers, prior authorization (PA) requirements can be bypassed for certain medications when specific medical conditions exist. Those specific medications and diagnoses can be found here. Prescribers are encouraged to include the applicable diagnosis code on written prescriptions for inclusion on the electronic pharmacy claim. The submitted claim should include a Diagnosis Code Qualifier (Field # 492-WE) of “02,” indicating ICD-10, as well as the appropriate Diagnosis Code (Field # 424-DO).

If you have any questions, contact the OptumRx Pharmacy Supports Center at 866-434-5520 or tnrxeducation@optum.com.

Also in Tennessee, the October 31 Drug Utilization Committee (DUR) Board meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Please Click Here or Phone number: +1 952-222-7450 Phone Conference ID: 857 579 147#

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

Michael Silber2023-10-20T12:09:45-04:00October 20, 2023|Tennessee|

Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) called lawmakers back to Austin this week for a third 30-day special session to advance border security measures, address school choice/vouchers and education savings accounts and tackle private employer COVID vaccine mandates.

Also in Texas, prior to the third special session, State Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar (R) announced a certification revenue estimate (CRE) for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 biennium projecting a Rainy-Day Fund balance of $23.77 billion.

Also in Texas, the Health, and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid posted the September 2023 End of Continuous Medicaid Coverage Dashboard.

Also in Texas, the next quarterly meeting of the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) is on November 7 in Austin. This will be the first meeting with the new Executive Director/Secretary Danny Carroll, PharmD.

Also in Texas, NACDS submitted comments to the State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) on its strategic plan for fiscal years 2025-29, recommending statutory and regulatory changes to expand upon the temporary flexibilities under the federal PREP Act related to vaccinations and Test & Treat services. NACDS also urged TSBP to eliminate the ratio at a central fill Class A pharmacy and expand telepharmacy services beyond FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers).

Finally in Texas, the Health, and Humans Services Commission (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) Medicaid announced several changes in Preferred Drug list status effective on October 16, 2023, needed because of the shortage of several preferred brand name medications.

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

Michael Silber2023-10-20T12:09:16-04:00October 20, 2023|Texas|

Washington

The five-member Prescription Affordability Board (PDAB) held its first hybrid meeting on October 20.

Also in Washington, the State Chief Science Officer Dr Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett signed an updated statewide standing order to dispense naloxone.

Also in Washington, the Department of Health (DOH) Immunization Division is hosting a COVID-19 and RSV Vaccine Updates Webinar (online registration) on Tuesday, October 24 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Pacific. Topics will include COVID-19 vaccine updates and RSV vaccine recommendations for older adults and pregnant persons, as well as recommendations for infants. The online seminar will be recorded.

Finally in Washington, the Health Care Authority’s Health Care Cost Transparency Board met on October 18.

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

Michael Silber2023-10-20T12:08:34-04:00October 20, 2023|Washington|

Alaska

Effective July 15, 2023, there is no longer a requirement for facilities or pharmacies to submit an application for changes to ownership, location or names.

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

Erica Joyner2023-10-06T10:11:51-04:00October 6, 2023|Alaska|