HB 1568, legislation granting pharmacists independent prescriptive authority of a drug product, was amended in the Committee on Public Health to include a requirement for Medicaid to pursue a state plan amendment for payment for pharmacy services for the non-dispensing activities associated with prescribing a contraceptive. The bill was passed by the House by a vote of 167-86-12, and it is currently awaiting further action in the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee. The Family and Social Services Administration (Medicaid) has confirmed that with this authority they would pursue a state plan amendment (SPA) that would encompass all non-dispensing, clinical pharmacist services for reimbursement under Medicaid.

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

The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) posted several bulletins of interest to pharmacies. 

• BT202306 – Pharmacy updates approved by Drug Utilization Review Board January 2023 
• BT202304 – IHCP [Indiana Health Coverage Programs] announces end to member continuous eligibility 
• BT2022118 – Pharmacy updates approved by Drug Utilization Review Board December 2022 

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

NACDS was a sponsor of the January 24 Indiana Pharmacists Day at the Capitol. Pharmacists, technicians, interns and pharmacy students participated in advocacy training, provided health screening of legislators and staff and promoted the passage of several healthcare bills dealing with prescription drug rebates and pricing (SB 8, HB 1273), Medicaid reimbursement for clinical services (SB 152), prescribing and dispensing of hormonal contraceptives (SB 153, HB 1224), establishing a statewide standing order for dispensing naloxone (SB 214), “Test and Treat” (HB 1182) and auditing PBMs (HB 1445).

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

The legislature convened on January 10, 2023. Several bills of interest to pharmacies have been filed, including several different bills that will allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives – SB (Senate Bill) 153 & SB 206, and HB 1224. Test and Treat, HB 1182, requires the state health commissioner to issue a standing order for pharmacists to treat or screen, test, administer or dispense for respiratory illness including influenza, severe SARS-CoV-2, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus); group A strep; lice; minor skin conditions; and emerging or existing public health threats identified by the state health commissioner. Also filed was SB 214, legislation that would establish a standing order for pharmacists to prescribe naloxone. 

Also in Indiana, all are welcome to participate at the Indiana Pharmacists Association’s (IPA) annual Legislative Day at the Indiana State House starting at 9:30 am on January 24. This event will allow all pharmacists, pharmacy students and pharmacy technicians from all practice settings to connect with legislators and colleagues across the state. Register here before January 19.

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

The Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) posted a provider Bulletin which includes billing guidance for pediatric vaccine counseling and pharmacy reimbursement updates for COVID vaccine administration.

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

The Indiana Health Coverage Programs will host an online seminar on December 1 to discuss provider notices published during November.

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

In advance of the October 20 Interim Study Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance joint hearing on market concentration of the health insurance industry, NACDS submitted a letter focusing on market concentration in the PBM (Pharmacy Benefits Managers) industry and its impact on retail community pharmacies and patient health.

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

On October 20, the Interim Study Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance is holding a joint hearing on market concentration of the health insurance industry, hospital industry, health care practitioners, retail pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy benefit manager industry and pharmacy services administration organization industry.

Also in Indiana, Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) posted important information for providers, including:

• BT202288 – Annual update of ICD-10 codes is effective October 1, 2022
• BT202287 – IHCP updates age ranges for Moderna COVID vaccine and administration codes
• BT202282 – Pharmacy updates approved by Drug Utilization Review Board September 2022

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

Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) administration that the state has $6.1 billion in reserve following the closeout of its fiscal year, having collected $353 million more in revenue than the current budget needs. Because of the new law passed during the special session, the first one billion dollars in excess goes to paying down debt in the teacher pension fund. The remaining surplus will be disbursed to taxpayers as part of the Governor’s inflation relief plan.

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