Notice of the Board of Pharmacy announces that a pharmacist may fill a noncontrolled-substance maintenance medication prescription with an appropriate number of 30-day supply refills through the year with a 90-day supply with the commiserate number of refills without contacting the physician to obtain a new prescription. This policy was accepted by the Board of Pharmacy during the Business Meeting held on May 13th. 

Also in Alabama... The Alabama Board of Pharmacy has issued several notices which can be found below. A hearing is scheduled for July 22, 2020, in Birmingham. Comments are due July 15, 2020. 

Proposed rule of the Board of Pharmacy would amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to clearly and accurately communicate pharmacy technicians’ requirements for each renewal cycle and also include background checks for reinstatement of pharmacy technicians.  

Proposed rule of the Board of Pharmacy would amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to update the pharmacy technician continuing education requirement timelines to match registration requirements. 

Proposed rule of the Board of Pharmacy would amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to remove outdated requirements for pharmacies to have a prescription balance.  

Proposed rule of the Board of Pharmacy would amend regulations under AAC 680-X-3 to allow for a one-time, nondisciplinary administrative penalty of $500 for late renewal of a controlled substance permit. This penalty shall be in addition to the prevailing renewal fee. Any subsequent instance of late renewal shall result in disciplinary action.  

Proposed rule of the Board of Pharmacy would amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to add language consistent with federal requirements under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) and provide clarity for new categories and facilities including private label distributors, repackagers, third-party logistics providers, and outsourcing facilities.  The rule would address requirements for security, recordkeeping, inspections, written policies and procedures, operations, transfer of ownership, personnel, and violations. A hearing is scheduled for July 22, 2020, in Birmingham.  

Proposed rule of the Board of Pharmacy would adopt regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to establish requirements for prescriptions of noncontrolled substances. The rule would address requirements for original prescriptions and transfers.  

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

Effective July 1, 2020 the Alabama Medicaid Agency will remove prior authorization (PA) from Mometasone nasal spray (generic Nasonex) and Modafinil (generic Provigil). Brand Nasonex and Provigil will now require PA. They will also update the Preferred Drug List to reflect the quarterly updates. The updates can be found here.   

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

Alabama Medicaid Agency has issued an ALERT stating that all previously published expiration dates related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency are once again extended. The new expiration date is the earlier of June 30, 2020, the conclusion of the COVID-19 National emergency, or any expiration date noticed by the Alabama Medicaid Agency through a subsequent ALERT.

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

Notice of the Department of Insurance announces that health care providers will receive claim reimbursements from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and treatment services provided to uninsured individuals. The reimbursements will be provided at Medicare rates for services or admittance on or after Feb. 4, 2020. 

Emergency rule of the Board of Pharmacy amends regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to provide pharmacy technicians an extension to complete required training until Dec. 31, 2020, in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The extension applies to technicians who initially registered on or after Jan. 1, 2020, through the end of the state of emergency. The rule is effective March 25, 2020 and expires July 23, 2020. 

Emergency rule of the Board of Pharmacy adopts regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to allow the board to issue temporary pharmacist practice permits during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The rule applies to applicants licensed in another state who meet specified criteria. The rule is effective April 2, 2020 and expires July 31, 2020. 

Emergency rule of the Board of Pharmacy adopts regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to allow the board to issue temporary in-state pharmacy permits if the applicant meets specified criteria during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The rule is effective April 2, 2020 and expires July 31, 2020. 

Emergency rule of the Medicaid Agency adopts regulations under AAC 560-X-13 to temporarily ease the EPSDT referral requirements, “face to face” provider visit requirements, and expiration dates of orders related to Durable Medical Equipment during the state of emergency as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rule is effective March 24, 2020 and expires July 22, 2020. 

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

All previously published expiration dates related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency are once again extended by the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid). The new expiration date is May 30, 2020, or at the conclusion of the COVID-19 National emergency, whichever occurs first.  

Also in Alabama… the Board of Pharmacy is providing Notice and guidance to pharmacists on testing for coronavirus, including conditions under which pharmacists, and pharmacy interns under the immediate supervision of a pharmacist, can perform the allowed tests with appropriate training. Pharmacy technicians can only be involved in completing required paperwork, including the required reporting.  Pharmacies must also provide staff with appropriate personal protective equipment.  Note: Pharmacies conducting COVID-19 tests are subject to the reporting requirements specified on the Alabama Department of Public Health web page.  

Also in Alabama… Alabama Medicaid is providing notice that the State Plan Amendment (SPA) request to modify the default/backup pharmacy reimbursement methodology when no AAC is present on brand drugs only from WAC + 0% to WAC – 4% has been approved by CMS.   The plan is now to proceed with the Administrative Code change for an implementation date to be determined later this year.   

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

 Alabama Medicaid has extended all expiration dates for temporary allowances to April 30, 2020. This alert and other related updates can be found at the Agency COVID-19 page here. 

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

In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Medicaid is temporarily waiving copayments for all services including, but not limited to doctor visits, optometric services, certified nurse practitioner visits, health care center visits, rural health clinic visits, inpatient hospital, outpatient hospital, prescription drugs, medical equipment, supplies and appliances, and ambulatory surgical centers.

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

The Alabama Medicaid Agency had modified the recipient signature requirement for services provided during the state of emergency effective March 16th.  More information can be found at this link:  https://medicaid.alabama.gov/alert_detail.aspx?ID=13755. Comprehensive data related to the state’s COVID response can be found on this link:  https://medicaid.alabama.gov/news_detail.aspx?ID=13729 

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

Effective April 1, 2020, the Alabama Medicaid Agency will implement hard edits on cumulative daily MME claims exceeding 150 MME/day. A phase-in period for claims exceeding 120 MME/day, but less than 150 MME/day, will also be implemented. To view the full ALERT, click here.

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