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.

The Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid) is announcing the final extension of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The new expiration date is May 11, 2023, which correlates with the expiration date of the national emergency. A Provider ALERT will be forthcoming from Medicaid to communicate changes to services related to the COVID-19 PHE.  

During the COVID-19 emergency, it is important to file claims as quickly as possible to ensure payment from Medicaid is made to Medicaid providers close to the date of service. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has increased the federal matching percentage for the emergency time frame, but states can only receive the increased match on claims that are paid during the emergency. Providers should include appropriate COVID-19 diagnosis code(s) on claims submitted to help with tracking of COVID-19. 

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

Reminder, effective October 1, 2022, the Alabama 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.  

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

All previously published expiration dates related to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) are once again extended by the Medicaid Agency (Medicaid). The new expiration date is the earlier of March 31, 2023, or any expiration date noticed by Medicaid through a subsequent ALERT.

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

Medicaid is preparing for the end of the continuous enrollment conditions originally associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA) included significant changes to the continuous enrollment condition outlined in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). These changes take effect April 1, 2023. For more information, please review the ALERT.

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

The Alabama Medicaid Agency has 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. 

Also in Alabama, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Pharmacy Division is asking that you complete the following ReadyOp survey if you are unable to obtain oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for your patients due to drug shortages or supply issues. The information provided through this survey will enable ADPH to assess potential oseltamivir shortages quickly and respond appropriately. 

The link will remain open until June 1, 2023. Questions should be directed to pharmacy@adph.state.al.us. 

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