Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed Executive Order 23-171, declaring a state of emergency in preparation for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Idalia. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has contacted the Medicaid Managed Care Plans, to ensure they are making the necessary preparations pre– and post–storm, including allowing for early prescription refills. Fee-for-service recipients are also eligible for early refills. The Department of Health has also issued Emergency Order 23-002, which allows for mobile pharmacies and an extension of the PDMP (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program) reporting requirements. 

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

Consumers can purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from tax during the two 2023 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays, May 27- June 9, 2023, and August 26-September 8, 2023.

Also in Florida, the Board of Pharmacy is developing amendments to Rule 64B16-27.650 regarding additional immunizations or vaccines which may be administered.

Finally in Florida, the Board of Pharmacy proposes amending Rule 64B16-28.108 regarding dispensing medication to a blind or visually impaired patient. More information can be found here.

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

On May 3, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed into law Senate Bill 1550. Effective July 1, 2023, The Prescription Drug Reform Act codifies the Governor’s actions from last year to require accountability among pharmaceutical middlemen, empower consumers through increased choice among pharmacies and create transparency in prescription drug price increases. More information from the Governor’s office can be found here. 

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

Effective April 3, HHAeXchange will be the statewide subcontractor providing electronic visit verification services (home health and personal care services) for Florida Community Care Medicaid members. If you have questions or need help, please contact Florida Community Care Provider Relations at 1- 866-962-6186. For questions or help with HHAeXchange, please contact HHAeXchange at support@hhaexchange.com or visit hhaexchange.com/info-hub/florida-smmc.

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

House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo announced on February 3 that legislators will hold a 12-day special session that started on February 6. 

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

Based on the recent decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to allow retail pharmacies to dispense Mifepristone, the Agency for Health Care Administration issued this alert to remind providers that they must continue to comply with Florida laws that govern the performance of abortions. 

Two statutes are relevant here. First, section 390.0111(2), Florida Statutes, provides that “[n]o termination of pregnancy shall be performed at any time except by a [licensed] physician.”  

Second, section 797.03(1), Florida Statutes, states that “[i]t is unlawful for any person to perform or assist in performing an abortion on a person, except in an emergency care situation, other than in a validly licensed hospital or abortion clinic or in a physician’s office.” Willfully violating these provisions could result in criminal penalties. See 390.0111(10)(a), Florida Statutes, and 797.03(4), Florida Statutes. 

The Agency will refer to local law enforcement any evidence of criminal activity that it discovers in its survey of providers. 

Also in Florida, the House Health and Human Services Committee held a meeting on January 24 to discuss pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and the role they play in Florida’s healthcare delivery system. House Health and Human Services Committee Chair Randy Fine (R) indicated this was the first of several more meetings to come on the issue.  

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

This week, Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference at the Villages to outline proposed legislation that would target pharmacy benefit managers to try to lower prescription-drug costs in the state. NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson released the following statement after the press conference. 

Finally in Florida, all Medicaid Fee-For-Service claims submitted January 1, 2023, or after from a non-exempt provider type that does not have a ROPA [Referring, Ordering, Prescribing, and Attending] provider listed on the claim will be denied. The exempted provider types that will not require a ROPA on the claim are listed here, all other provider type claims must have a ROPA provider identified by NPI (National Provider Identifier) on the claim for reimbursement by Medicaid. 

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

The following flexibilities in response to Hurricane Nicole, expired November 30: 

• Waiver of prior authorization requirements for critical Medicaid services  
• Waiver of service limitations to ensure a recipient requiring critical Medicaid services during the storm receives such care  
• Temporary postponement of the Preadmission Screening and Resident Review processes 

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

As of September 29, 2022, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a major disaster declaration for the following Florida counties affected by Hurricane Ian (DR-4673): Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) announced it will ensure reimbursement for all services provided in good faith to eligible Florida Medicaid recipients in FEMA designated counties during the Disaster Grace Period. The Agency is defining the Disaster Grace Period for Hurricane Ian as September 29, 2022 through November 30, 2022.

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