Louisiana
At the August 18th Board of Pharmacy meeting, the Board approved proposed rules.
Title 46 (la.gov) that allows pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to administer medications independently of the Prep Act, and also repeals the requirement to report immunizations to physicians.
Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) announced that they will be reimbursing for pharmacist administered influence vaccines for the 2021-2022 flu season beginning on September 15, 2021.
Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Insurance is soliciting feedback from stakeholders on the roles and responsibilities of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and Pharmacy Services Administrative Organizations (PSAO). Submit comments to jeffrey.zewe@ldi.la.gov under the title “Response to Act 192 Request for Information” by November 1, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Massachusetts
The Board of Pharmacy issued on an update to the MA BOP’s Covid-19 Practice. This document reviews the issues related to license expirations, temporary emergency practice authorizations and orders, workforce issues and perpetual inventory.
Also in Massachusetts, effective August 12, 2021, MassHealth will cover the administration of the third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to individuals who qualify for the additional dose. There is no cost sharing for any COVID-19 vaccines. MassHealth expects it will pay $45.87 for administration of the third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, the same rate it pays for administration of first or second doses, using CPT code 0003A for the third dose of the Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine and CPT code 0013A for the third dose of the Moderna vaccine. Here is their updated policy.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Minnesota
The Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce has published a proposed rule on PBM Licensure and Regulation. The rule is a result of the passage of legislation in the 2019 Legislative Session and will be the subject of a hearing on September 20. NACDS intends to draft comments that will be sent out for member review. Should you have comments in the meantime, please send them to Jill McCormack by Sept. 3. Instructions for accessing the hearing virtually and by telephone are included in the rule.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Nebraska
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid approved the Department of Health and Human Services’ State Plan Amendment for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) on August 17. MAT is a covered service for all Medicaid beneficiaries meeting the medical necessity criteria for the service beginning October 1 and ending September 30, 2025.
Also in Nebraska, Provider Bulletin 21-18 includes two important updates:
- Starting October 1, the Heritage Health Adult (HHA) will move from a two-tier benefit system to a single benefit plan, meaning all adults enrolled in HHA will receive full state plan coverage including comprehensive physical and behavioral healthcare plus vision, dental and over-the-counter drug coverage.
- Medicaid and Long-term Care will be hosting one-hour educational webinars to provide information about the Medicaid Expansion program.
Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that COVID-19 Medicaid Provider Calls will resume on September 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Nevada
An opinion letter https://www.nacds.org/ceo/2021/0827/7-22-21-Practicing-Pharmacy-into-Nevada.pdf issued by the Board’s General Counsel in July now interprets the law to require that any pharmacist who dispenses or compounds prescriptions for a controlled substance or dangerous drug for a patient located in the state of Nevada needs to be registered/licensed with the Board. This interpretation is a complete reversal of the Board’s long-standing practice of requiring a non-resident pharmacy to hold a Nevada license, but not the individual pharmacists who work at the pharmacy.
Also in Nevada, the Board of Pharmacy will hold a three-day Board meeting in Las Vegas on August 31-September 2. The Board’s agenda and information on the videoconference link are available here – January 2000 Agenda (nv.gov)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
This week the New York State Board of Pharmacy released the finalized Board of Pharmacy Advisory memo on licensure requirement changes being proposed to the Board of Regents.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
North Carolina
HB96, sponsored by Representative Wayne Sasser (R), was signed by Governor Roy Cooper (D) on August 20, 2021. The measure becomes effective October 1, 2021, and provides for pharmacist vaccine administration, administration of long acting injectables, tobacco cessation, hormonal contraceptives, administration of the COVID vaccine and more. The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy issued guidance on how the Board is interpreting HB 96. This important guidance can be found here. Thank you to NACDS Members, North Carolina Retail Merchants and the North Carolina Pharmacy Association who worked on this bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Ohio
Medicaid (OCM) announced this week that they project July 1, 2022, as the launch date on implementation of the new managed care model that includes the seven next generation managed care plans, the Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager (SPBM), Provider Network Management (PNM) module, Centralized Credentialing, and Fiscal Intermediary. More detail is available on ODM’s managed care page.
Also in Ohio, ODM has released a FAQ announcing the rates for the Managed Care Supplemental Tiered Dispensing Fee for state fiscal year 2022-23. This in in addition to the dispensing fee currently paid by the plans. Members should expect the first payment of the biennium in November 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pennsylvania
The House Professional Licensure Committee will hold an informational meeting on Monday, September 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the pharmacy-related regulatory waivers and suspensions issued by the Department of State during the COVID-19 pandemic and brief the members of the committee. NACDS plans to testify in favor of making the PREP Act permanent in state statute in coordination with the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS), the Pennsylvania Pharmacy Association (PPA) and other partners.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Virginia
The Board of Pharmacy issued the following statement via email to licensees yesterday clarifying that only registered pharmacy technicians are authorized to administer vaccines:
The Virginia Board of Pharmacy has received several inquiries regarding the ability to use pharmacy technician trainees to administer vaccines to patients. We wish to remind the pharmacy community that to be considered a “qualified pharmacy technician” as indicated on page 2 of the Department of Health and Human Services Guidance issued October 20, 2020, an individual authorized to administer vaccines must be registered with the Board as a pharmacy technician. Registration with the Board as a pharmacy technician trainee does not meet the requirement to be considered a “qualified pharmacy technician”.
Also in Virginia, Alexis Page, PharmD, BCACP, has been appointed the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) COVID-19 Pharmacy Coordinator, under the VDH Vaccine Unit. In addition to her education, Dr. Page’s background includes a PGY1 Community Based Pharmacy Residency and a Community Based Pharmacy Leadership and Management Fellowship with Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. She is also Certified in Ambulatory Care Pharmacy (BCACP). Just prior to joining VDH she was the Pharmacy Manager and Residency Coordinator at Kroger and VCU. NACDS and VACDS have been working with Dr. Page in Virginia and she welcomes you to reach out to her.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) agreed to extend the telephonic counseling waiver https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/files_pdf/291.33-notification.pdf 291.33(c)(1)(B)(iii) until November 30, 2021. All other temporarily suspended rule requirements listed here TSBP | Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resources – Temporary Rule Suspensions (texas.gov) will no longer be suspended beginning on September 1, 2021.
Also in Texas, on August 25th, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued an Executive Order banning government COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Texas.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Vermont
The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation has provided updated guidelines that allows Pharmacy Technicians and Interns to administer to 19 years of age and older. It also extends the PREP Act authorization and associated liability coverage to October 2024.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Washington
The State Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, M.D., MPH, amended Order 20-03 issuing a statewide mask mandate requiring everyone over five years of age in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status effective August 23, 2021. https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Articles/ID/2901/Statewide-updated-mask-order-goes-into-effect-Monday-Aug-23.
Also in Washington, the State Health Care Authority (HCA) reminded health care providers that they are eligible for direct payments from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program’s reimbursement at Medicare rates for COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccinations of uninsured individuals.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Alabama
All previously published expiration dates related to the COVID-19 emergency are once again extended by the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid). The new expiration date is the earlier of September 30, 2021, the conclusion of the COVID-19 national emergency, or any expiration date noticed by the Alabama Medicaid Agency through a subsequent ALERT. A listing of previous Provider ALERTs and notices related to the health emergency is available by selecting the Agency’s COVID-19 page in the bottom section: https://medicaid.alabama.gov/news_detail.aspx?ID=13729.
Also in Alabama, please find below a link for the ALERT for pharmacy billing of the third C19 vaccine dose in selected immunocompromised patients. Effective Aug 13, pharmacy providers may submit claims for the third dose in that selected population: https://medicaid.alabama.gov/alert_detail.aspx?ID=15570
Finally in Alabama, please note a subsequent ALERT will be disseminated for the third dose for the expanded population as we near the September 20th approval date. See https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0818-covid-19-booster-shots.html for more information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Arkansas
To help overcome vaccine hesitancy amongst the Medicaid population, effective for 60 days beginning on Friday, August 13th through October 10, 2021, the state will pay all providers $100 for each COVID shot administered. The increase applies to both first and second vaccination administration of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and single shot administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccination.
https://www.nacds.org/ceo/2021/0820/Arkansas%20Medicaid%20Vaccine%20Rate%20Increase.pdf.
Also in Arkansas, the 93rd General Assembly three-day special session to debate amending Act 1002, a statewide ban on mask mandates implemented earlier this year. Two bills were filed, but neither the House nor Senate took any action to overturn the mask mandate law before they adjourned on August 6th.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Connecticut
NACDS urged the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to adopt the federal Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste Rule (the Rule) as part of its next regulatory update for rules needed to implement the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The adoption of the Federal Rule allows retailers to operate within a sector‐specific set of requirements which creates a level playing field.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding “Prior Approval Requests for Synagis”. You may view the new Notice at the following link.
Also in Illinois, HB135, sponsored by Representative Michelle Mussman (D), was signed by Governor JB Pritzker (D) on July 22, 2021. The measure will take effect on January 1, 2022 (Section 25 will take effect on January 1, 2023) and requires hormonal contraceptives to be dispensed according to a prescription or standing order by a licensed physician or the medical director of a local health department. The standing order will allow a pharmacist to dispense a 12-month supply of hormonal contraceptives to a patient after completing self-screening, counseling, and patient consultation. All services provided by a pharmacist for hormonal contraceptives must be covered by a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan. The Department of Public Health must adopt rules that require a pharmacist to complete an educational training program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Louisiana
Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) issued a statewide indoor mask mandate in effect until September 1. https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/3301
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Massachusetts
The Board of Pharmacy recently updated their policy to reflect the ability of pharmacy technicians to administer the flu vaccine effective immediately.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Missouri
In response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CMS) certain immunocompromised individuals can begin receiving third doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the Department of Health and Senior Services revised their standing order.https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/statewide-orders.php.
Also in Missouri, mask mandates are back in several metro areas. Jackson County implemented a 30-day mask mandate effective August 9th for everyone 5 years and older, regardless of vaccination status. Kansas City reinstated its indoor mask mandate for individuals who are at least 5 years old for the month of August. St. Louis City and County both implemented an order requiring masks to be worn by all individuals over the age of 5 while indoors as of July 26th, with no end date.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nevada
Thirteen counties mandate masks for everyone in a public indoor setting must wear a mask: Carson, Churchill, Clark, Douglas, Elko, Humboldt, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Washoe & White Pine. Four counties require that only unvaccinated people are required to wear a mask indoors: Esmerelda, Eureka, Lander & Storey.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Hampshire
Governor Chris Sununu (R) signed into law two proposals of interest to pharmacy. HB479 addresses pharmacists’ provider status, nicotine cessation therapy and PBM requirements and HB572 expands the authority of pharmacists and licensed advanced pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Pennsylvania
The Department of Health issued a press release and FAQ to provide guidance to vaccinators regarding administering an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to immunocompromised individuals.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) regularly offers free training to prospective and enrolled Healthy Connections providers. In response to the public health emergency related to coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), many of these trainings are also now available virtually. Information about an upcoming training opportunity for Fall 2021 is listed here.
Also in South Carolina, the Practice and Technology Committee Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 10:00 am via Webex. The Committee will continue their discussion on Remote Order Processing.
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For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Virginia
The Department of Health has issued an updated standing order that authorizes the additional COVID-19 dose that has been recommended for immunocompromised individuals.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.