Alabama

All previously published expiration dates related to the COVID-19 emergency are once again extended by the Alabama Medicaid Agency. The new expiration date is the earlier of December 31, 2020, 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 ALERT and notices related to the health emergency is available on the Agency’s COVID-19 page.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-11-06T12:40:17-05:00November 6, 2020|Alabama|

Alabama

The Alabama Medicaid Agency, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), has stated it will allow reimbursement of a vaccine administration fee to Alabama Medicaid pharmacy providers who utilize free influenza vaccines provided by the federal government. The following guidelines have been provided for administering the free vaccines to Alabama Medicaid patients.

Providers must use all privately purchased vaccines first.
Free supplemental influenza vaccine costs cannot be reimbursed, but an administrative fee can be requested.
When billing a Medicaid recipient for the free vaccine, no ingredient cost or dispensing fee should be included on the claim.
A $5.00 administration fee may be submitted.
Pharmacies should submit the administration fee in the Incentive Amount Submitted field (NCPDP Field 438-E3) on the same claim as the vaccine (i.e. ingredient).
Recoupments may occur if it is determined that a free supplemental vaccine was administered to a Medicaid patient and an ingredient cost and dispensing fee were submitted on the claim.
All administered vaccines must be entered into ImmPrint via an interface or manually within 72 hours.
For more information, visit the ADPH guidance here: https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/immunization/assets/fluvaccine_adult.pdf

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

Michael Angeloni2020-10-30T11:49:52-04:00October 30, 2020|Alabama|

Alabama

The Department of Public Health issued a final rule amending regulations under AAC 420-7-2 to add tianeptine to the Schedule II list of controlled substances. The rule also removes Epidiolex® from the list of Schedule V controlled substances. The Department also issued a notice announcing the addition of the seizure medication Cenobamate to Schedule V of the Controlled Substances List attached to regulations under AAC 420-7-2.

Also in Alabama. The Board of Medical Examiners has issued a proposed rule adopting regulations under AAC 540-X-26 to establish requirements for collaborative pharmacy practice. The rule would set forth requirements for the collaborative drug therapy management agreement, eligibility, limitations, physician standards, reporting, and renewal. A hearing is scheduled for November 2, 2020, in Montgomery. The final date for written comments to the state is November 4, 2020.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-10-16T09:25:32-04:00October 16, 2020|Alabama|

Alabama

The Alabama Medicaid Agency has issued a proposed rule that would amend regulations under AAC 560-X-16 to remove provisions that require the clinical pharmacist committee to consist of at least a long-term care pharmacist and an independent pharmacist. The rule also would allow correspondence to be directed to Medicaid’s authorized representative. Comments to the proposed rule are due October 5, 2020.

Also in Alabama, that Medicaid Agency has issued a proposed rule that would amend regulations under AAC 560-X-16 to change the current default pharmacy ingredient cost reimbursement methodology when no average acquisition cost is available from wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) +0% to WAC -4% for brand drugs and WAC +0% for generic drugs, effective January 1, 2021. Comments to the proposed rule are due October 5, 2020.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-09-18T09:15:28-04:00September 18, 2020|Alabama|

Alabama

The Department of Public Health has issued a proposed rule that would amend regulations under AAC 420-7-2 to add tianeptine to the Schedule II list of controlled substances. The rule also would remove Epidiolex® from the list of Schedule V controlled substances. Comments to the proposed rule are due September 4, 2020.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-08-21T08:56:27-04:00August 21, 2020|Alabama|

Alabama

The Alabama Medicaid Agency’s Durable Medical Equipment Program has announced that it will make the following changes regarding reimbursement: Reimbursement for CPAP (E0601), Humidifier Reimbursement (E0561, E0562), and Mask Reimbursement (A7030, A7032, A7035). For more information, click here.

Also in Alabama. All previously published expiration dates related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency have once again been extended by the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid). The new expiration date is earlier than August 31, 2020, 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 on the Agency’s COVID-19 page.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-07-23T13:41:50-04:00July 23, 2020|Alabama|

Alabama

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 the earlier of July 31, 2020, 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 ALERT and notices related to the health emergency is available on the Agency’s COVID-19 page.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-06-25T09:31:05-04:00June 25, 2020|Alabama|

Alabama

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.

Michael Angeloni2020-06-11T11:31:08-04:00June 11, 2020|Alabama|

Alabama

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.

Michael Angeloni2020-06-04T09:47:41-04:00June 4, 2020|Alabama|