The state Medicaid Health Coverage Programs’ (IHCP) Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board issued several updates in the IHCP Bulletin for pharmacies.  

Also in Indiana, effective August 1, the IHCP will cover COIVD-19 Vaccine Counseling as part of Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Testing (EPSDT) benefit. Coverage applies to all IHCP programs for beneficiaries under the age of 21 who are eligible for EPSDT.  

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

HEA 1169, legislation allowing pharmacy technicians to immunize all vaccines delegated by a pharmacist and to do verbal transfers was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcolm (R) on March 15, 2020. 

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

NACDS sent a letter to Medicaid detailing our concerns regarding tiered reimbursement rates that we raised with the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) and Myers and Stauffer on our February 11 Zoom call.  

Also in Indiana, on March 3, Gov. Eric Holcolm (R) issued an Executive Order 22-09 rescinding the public health emergency disaster declaration for COVID-19. 

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

The Department of Health (IDOH) and the Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) announced that they are making changes to the Vaccines for Children (VFC) policy to allow pharmacies to easily enroll in the program, effective March 14, 2022. The maximum allowable reimbursement for the administration of a VFC vaccine will be consistent with reimbursement for vaccines administered by medical providers, which is currently $15.00.

Also in Indiana, effective February 1, 2022, IHCP began reimbursing pharmacies for dispensing FDA approved COVID19 test kits at home, with a limit of two tests per 7 days per member under a statewide standing order. 

Also in Indiana, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s (FSSA) Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning provided updates to the opioid utilization prior authorization (PA) criteria’s maximum allowable daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME) effective for claims with dates of service (DOS) on or after April 1, 2022. 

Finally in Indiana, HB 1158, legislation that would allow a pharmacy technician to administer any vaccines delegated by a pharmacist, passed the House and is pending in the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee.  

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

Currently the Health Commissioner of the State Department of Health or the Commissioner’s designated public health authority can issue standing orders, prescriptions, or protocols to administer or dispense certain immunizations for individuals who are at least 11 years old. SB 3, a bill that includes a provision that would lower the age limit to five years old, passed Third Reading in the Senate and now advances to the House for further consideration. 

Also in Indiana, legislation that would have allowed pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives failed to get heard in the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee. (SB189) 

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

The Department of Health issued a new statewide naloxone standing order.

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

Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed Executive Order 21-14 to extend the public health emergency to June 30 and Executive Order 21-15 to adjust COVID-19 requirements effective June 1st. Each directive from executive orders continued throughout the public health emergency will cease on June 30th. The following directives relating to pharmacy practice will no longer be in effect:  

• EO 20-05: Suspended the requirement that a healthcare provider holds an Indiana license if he or she: (1) has an equivalent license from another State, and (2) is not suspended or barred from practice in that State or any State. Authorized the head of any state agency (including PLA) to waive, suspend, or modify any existing rule where the enforcement of which would be detrimental to the public welfare during the emergency. 

• EO 20-12: Non-controlled substances as maintenance medications permitted a one-time 90-day emergency refill. 
• EO 20-13: Retired health care professionals who, within the past 5 years, retired or surrendered their license, may provide health care services in Indiana without reinstatement or approval by the relevant license board. 
• EO 20-21: Pharmacy students who have completed all required course work, applied for a pharmacist license, and supplied a certificate of completion, may practice as a pharmacist without first taking and passing the MPJE and NAPLEX. 
• EO 20-27 and 20-31: Any license set to expire during the public health emergency is extended for the duration of the public health emergency.  

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

The Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services issued a notice of a proposal to reimburse COVID-19 vaccine administration and monoclonal antibody treatment at the Medicare rate, effective July 1, 2021. Comments are due June 25, 2021. Contact Sara Albertson; FSSA, Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning; 317-233-4455; spacomment@fssa.in.gov

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

Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed into law House Bill 1468 – Various health matters – Indiana General Assembly, 2021 Session by Rep. Steven Davisson, a broad health care provider bill NACDS supported that included the following provisions that impact pharmacy practice:

• Increases to 8:1 the pharmacy technician-to-pharmacists ratio;
• Allows pharmacy technicians to work remotely performing certain non-dispensing duties including data entry and insurance processing;
• Permits pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy technicians to administer the COVID-19 vaccine according to a prescription, protocol, or standing order in addition to the 11 other vaccination categories listed in statute;
• Allows pharmacies to transfer unfilled C-II prescriptions;
• Expands therapeutic substitution under a protocol;
• Removes the requirement for shared record-keeping systems for pharmacists that engage in a collaborative practice agreement;
• Delays e-prescribing for controlled substances until January 1, 2022.

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