According to the Alabama Public Health Department, to receive, administer, and report the COVID-19 vaccine, healthcare providers must enroll in the ImmPRINT COVID-19 Vaccination Program. For more information on enrollment and other vaccine resources for providers, visit the Vaccination Provider Support website at go.usa.gov/x7M53

Also in Alabama. The Department of Public Health published 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 The rule would replace a September 30, 2020, final rule that is being withdrawn concurrently. Comments are due January 4, 2021.

Also in Alabama. The Board of Pharmacy published a proposed rule that would amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to further specify the standards and requirements for approval of hospital and nonhospital pharmacy remote or off-site order entry, where prescriptions are filled by remotely accessing another pharmacy’s electronic database from outside the pharmacy. A hearing is scheduled for February 17, 2021, in Birmingham. Comments are due February 6, 2021.

Also in Alabama. The Medicaid Agency announced a notice of a proposed amendment to the state plan for medical assistance to allow for an update to the pharmacy Value/Outcomes-Based Agreement template to further facilitate the collection of supplemental rebates in addition to the federal drug rebate provided for in Title XIX. Comments are requested, but a due date is not specified.

Lastly in 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 January 31, 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 which can be accessed at   https://medicaid.alabama.gov/news_detail.aspx?ID=13729.

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

The Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid)has released several final rules, effective December 14, 2020, regarding Durable Medical Equipment/Prescription Orders, Preferred Drug List, Reimbursement for Covered Drugs and Services. Summaries for the rules are below with links to access each.

• Final rule to amend regulations under AAC 560-X-13 to allow additional non-physician practitioners to place an initial written prescription or order for certain medical supplies, equipment, and appliances.
• Final rule to amend regulations under AAC 560-X-16 to remove requirements that the clinical pharmacist committee consist of at least one long-term care pharmacist and one independent pharmacist. The rule also allows correspondence to be directed to Medicaid’s authorized representative.
• Final rule to amend regulations under AAC 560-X-16 to change the 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 Jan. 1, 2021.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.