Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed into law a late bill filed by the Colorado Chain Pharmacy Council, SB24-209, expanding the pharmacy practice. The key provisions are eliminating restrictions on telepharmacies, removing the age limit for pharmacists’ prescriptive authority, allowing dispensing through an automated dispensing system, expanding pharmacy technicians’ duties to allow point-of-care testing and administering all immunizations and the ability to request refills and perform other designated tasks.

Also in Colorado, the Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS) workplace conditions survey is available here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

HB24-209, practice act expansion, passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law. 

Also in Colorado, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) submitted an 1115 Waiver Amendment requesting to the CMS an amendment to Colorado’s Expanding the Substance Use Disorder Continuum of Care Section 1115 demonstration waiver (1115 SUD (substance use disorder) waiver). For additional information and the entire amendment, contact hcpf_1115waiver@state.co.us. 

Finally in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed HB24-1322, legislation providing Medicaid coverage for housing and nutrition services. HCPF (Department of Health Care Policy and Financing) now has the authority to pursue a Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) 1115 demonstration waiver amendment to expand health-related social needs (HRSN) housing and nutrition services and support for certain eligible Health First Colorado (Medicaid program) members. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

CO24-209, practice act expansion, passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 8.  

Also in Colorado, SB24-168, legislation that requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to provide coverage of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to Medicaid patients, passed both houses and will be sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law. 

Finally in Colorado, HCPF’s Substance Use Disorder Stakeholder newsletter has been posted online. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Rerevised SB24-209, legislation filed by the Colorado Retail Council that chain pharmacies support, would expand pharmacy technician duties. The bill was amended and passed by the Senate Health Committee by a vote of 7-2. The bill advanced to the Senate floor for a vote on April 30 and passed the Senate on May 1. It was amended in the House Committee on May 2 and passed a third reading in the House on May 5.  

Also in Colorado, SB24-168, legislation providing reimbursement for the use of telehealth remote monitoring for outpatient services for certain Medicaid members, passed the Senate on April 24 and was assigned to the House Health and Human Services Committee. 

Finally in Colorado, HB24-1438, legislation concerning the implementation of certain affordable prescription drug programs, passed the House on April 24 and was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The state legislature is grappling with a $170 million budget shortfall as the state’s constitution requires a balanced budget.

Also in Colorado, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) reminded providers, including pharmacists, that they can deliver some laboratory testing services through a CLIA Certificate of Waiver. All claims for laboratory services must have the NPI (national provider identifier) of the provider who ordered the items to be indicated on the claim. The Billing Manual and more information on SUD (substance use disorder) benefits is available online. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The state’s Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention’s  

Annual Report is available here. This Consortium coordinates Colorado’s response to the misuse of medications such as opioids, stimulants, and sedatives. Its mission is to reduce prescription drug misuse and abuse in Colorado by developing policies, programs, and partnerships with the many Colorado agencies, organizations, and community coalitions addressing one of the state’s major public health crises. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

HB24-1045, legislation pharmacies support that expands access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), provides funding for startup and training in select locations and ensures fair payment for the medical services provided, passed the House Health and Human Services Committee, and was referred the House Finance Committee for a hearing on March 7. 

Also in Colorado, the state submitted an amended Canadian drug importation application to the FDA (FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION) this week which included a scaled-back list of twenty-four drugs it plans to import at a lower cost, including the new blockbuster weight loss drugs. 

Finally, the Colorado Pharmacists Society had a great turnout at the Day at the Capitol on February 28 to promote pro-pharmacy, patient care legislation. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Legislation pharmacies are supporting, HB 24-1045, which includes language in Sections 7 and 8 on pharmacy treatment and payment for substance use disorders (SUDs) is scheduled for a hearing on February 20 in the House Health and Human Services Committee. 

Also in Colorado, the Colorado Pharmacists Society’s (CPS) Pharmacy Day at the Capitol is February 28. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.