The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) posted a new Provider Notice with a comprehensive billing guide for Medicaid Managed Care Services.  In addition, as follow up to its March 30th provider notice, DHFS posted a list of medications added for temporary coverage in a 90-day supply.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Consistent with NACDS advocacy efforts, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issued a proclamation that an Illinois licensed pharmacist’s scope of practice under the Pharmacy Practice Act is expanded to screen patients, order, administer, read, and report the findings of tests waived under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) for COVID-19 during the course of the pandemic. 

Also in Illinois... Governors from Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin have formed a pact for coordinating the reopening of the Midwest regional economy.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services issued a Provider Notice with information about temporary policy changes pertaining early refills, day supply, signature requirements, coverage of OTC products, and more.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Illinois Pharmacists Association has canceled its Legislative Day that was scheduled for April 22, 2020.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Illinois Pharmacists Association has created a dedicated web page pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted an updated Medicaid Preferred Drug List.

Also in Illinois…  The Illinois Pharmacist Association and the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists announced Pharmacy Legislative Day will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 in Springfield.  Click here for more information and to register.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services issued a Provider Letter with information about implementing dispensing fee changes for Critical Access Pharmacies as per the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Covered Outpatient Drugs Rule.  Please note the information applies only to fee-for-service claims.   

Also in Illinois… Gov. JB Pritzker (D) signed into law SB 2104 HA 1 extending the sunset on the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act to December 31, 2023.  According to the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, changes included limitations on working a 12-hour day, breaks and meals, pharmacy technician training, whistleblower protections, and other prohibited activities that distract the pharmacist.  The Collaborative Pharmaceutical Task Force is also reconstituted and will work toward offering additional recommendations by October 1, 2020. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

SB 2104, that includes language to extend the Pharmacy Practice Act until Sunday, January 1, 2023, is headed to the desk of Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D). The bill contains many of the recommendations from the Collaborative Pharmaceutical Task Force.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.