To streamline the provider enrollment process, Alabama Medicaid provider enrollment applicants should gather all needed materials before applying. READ MORE for some of the most common reasons why applications are denied. If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact Provider Enrollment at (888) 223-3630.  

Also in Alabama, on January 17, at 2:00 pm CST, the Board of Pharmacy will hold a Practice of Pharmacy Workgroup Meeting, where they will delve into Alabama Administrative Code 680-X-2-.14. This code defines the pivotal roles and duties of pharmacy technicians within the healthcare system. For those who wish to attend in person, the meeting will be held at 111 Village Street, Birmingham, AL 35242. Virtual attendance is available here. Do not miss this chance to be a part of the conversation that shapes the future of pharmacy in Alabama.  

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

Please find the latest ALERT for pharmacy providers regarding coverage for adult vaccines, COVID vaccines and their administration. Also, an ALERT regarding coverage of adult vaccines for non-pharmacy providers has been released. Both versions have been released and will be sent to the respective provider lists. Medicaid shared both ALERTs so that individuals were aware there is a specific notice for pharmacy providers as the billing is unique to pharmacy. All ALERTs can be found here.

Also in Alabama, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) has approved a community-based mobile crisis state plan amendment (SPA) that allows Alabama to create mobile crisis intervention teams to provide Medicaid crisis services. Alabama will be able to provide these services by connecting eligible individuals in crisis to a behavioral health provider 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. For more information on this approval, please see the full Alabama SPA.

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

The Board of Pharmacy announced renewals for pharmacy technicians, pharmacy interns and facilities are open as of September 15 and are due December 31, 2023. Visit our website to renew and find more information. 

Also in Alabama, at the last Joint Committee meeting, both Board of Pharmacy and Board of Medical Examiners discussed the topic of Test to Treat in community pharmacies. Both Boards decided to begin the Rule-making process to amend our Rule to allow for Test to Treat under certain conditions. To learn more about what conditions must be met before beginning Test to Treat, you can view the drafted language on the website.

Furthermore, the Boards will also soon be reviewing a test-to-treat protocol that was approved at the last Joint Committee meeting. You can view the draft test-to-treat protocol here. For more information, reach out to anolen@albop.com 

The emergency rule 680-X-2-.49-.01ER Remote Work by Pharmacists is currently in place until October 29, 2023. The permanent rule is effective November 13, 2023. 

Finally in Alabama, please see the most recent Alabama Medicaid ALERT related to resuming the cumulative MME (morphine milligram equivalents) phase-down edits, effective November 1, 2023. This will be the first MME phase-down since the end of the PHE (Public Health Emergency).  

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

The Medicaid Agency has published a PSA video to encourage Medicaid recipients to complete their eligibility renewal forms when their notices come in the mail. Medicaid providers and partners are encouraged to share this video in public locations and on websites.  

Medicaid has taken extraordinary efforts to notify recipients when it is time to renew. 
Renewal notices are sent through regular mail, and the Agency is contacting recipients by 
email, text message and phone when it is time to renew (if they have provided contact 
information to the Agency). Several outreach resources are available for Medicaid partners to 
make it simple to share the key messaging. 
 
Please share the following key messaging from Medicaid: 
 
* Public Service Announcement – August 29, 2023 
* How to Update Contact Information with the Agency (Medicaid Recipients) 
* Video: Keep Your Coverage 
* Video (Spanish): Keep Your Coverage 
 
Medicaid regularly updates information for recipients on the COVID-19 Information for Providers webpage. Medicaid recipients who have questions should call Medicaid’s Recipient Call Center at (800) 362-1504 or visit a Medicaid office in their area. Providers may contact the Provider Assistance Center at (800) 688-7989.  

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

The Medicaid Agency has published a PSA video to encourage Medicaid recipients to complete their eligibility renewal forms when their notices come in the mail. Medicaid providers and partners are encouraged to share this video in public locations and on websites. 

Medicaid has taken extraordinary efforts to notify recipients when it is time to renew.
Renewal notices are sent through regular mail, and the Agency is contacting recipients by
email, text message and phone when it is time to renew (if they have provided that contact
information to the Agency). Several outreach resources are available for Medicaid partners to
make it simple to share the key messaging.
 
Please share the following key messaging from Medicaid: 

* Public Service Announcement – August 29, 2023
* How to Update Contact Information with the Agency (Medicaid Recipients)
* Video: Keep Your Coverage
* Video (Spanish): Keep Your Coverage

Medicaid regularly updates information for recipients on the COVID-19 Information for Providers webpage. Medicaid recipients who have questions should call Medicaid’s Recipient Call Center at (800) 362-1504 or visit a Medicaid office in their area. Providers may contact the Provider Assistance Center at (800) 688-7989. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Medical Examiners held a Joint Committee meeting to discuss the issue of test and treat in community pharmacies. Both Boards have made the decision to begin the rulemaking process to amend our rule to allow for test and treat under certain conditions. To learn more about what conditions must be met before beginning test and treat, you can view the drafted language on the Board of Pharmacy’s website (under “Resources;” select “Statutes & Rules”) once stamped by LSA (Legislative Services Agency). You can see all of the rules the Board is working on by clicking here. If you do not see a draft available, it has not been stamped by LSA yet.  
 
Also in Alabama, emergency rule 680-X-2-.49.01ER Remote Work by Pharmacists is currently in place until October 29, 2023. The permanent rule is currently in the rulemaking process. 

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

Effective October 1, 2022, the Medicaid Agency removed the requirement of absence of alcohol and illicit drug use by recipients for the prior approval of antiviral drugs used in the treatment of hepatitis C. A copy of the patient’s drug and alcohol screening lab report is no longer required. All other criteria remain, including the patient consent form with the patient’s and physician’s signature, which must be submitted with requests. 

The updated Prior Authorization (PA) request form and criteria booklet should be utilized by the prescriber or the dispensing pharmacy when requesting a PA. Updated forms and criteria can be found here.  

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

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.

This ALERT, related to COVID-19 unwinding as it pertains to Pharmacy and DME [Durable Medical Equipment], has been released. 

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