The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) announced Medicaid Director Michael Randol will be leaving his position on Friday, August 14, 2020.  Deputy Medicaid Director Julie Lovelady will serve in the interim while DHS recruits a replacement.

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

With SF 2357 recently signed into law, prescriptions issued by a Physician Assistant are no longer required to include the name of the supervising physician.  For more information, please see the Iowa Board of Pharmacy newsletter.

Also in Iowa.  The Iowa Board of Pharmacy published a response to the June 25 Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

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

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy shared an update about pharmacist emergency licenses.  Among the information is this reminder: Upon the expiration or termination of the Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, the Board will provide notice to all pharmacists with emergency licenses regarding the date by which the required exams must be completed to retain active Iowa pharmacist licensure.  

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

The Iowa Department of Human Services reminds pharmacies that its latest biennial Medicaid Cost of Dispensing survey is due Thursday, April 30th. 

Also in Iowa…  The Iowa Board of Pharmacy issued a press release with information about rules relating to the distribution of COVID-19 testing kits, including serology tests, into the state of Iowa.  

Also in Iowa...  Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) issued an extension of the emergency proclamation, permitting regulatory relief to pharmacies through May 27, 2020.  The Board of Pharmacy responded with this guidance. 

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

The Iowa Medicaid Cost of Dispensing survey’s deadline of March 26th has been extended to April 30, 2020. 

Also in Iowa...  The Iowa Department of Human Services issued an Informational Letter announcing temporary fee-for-service and managed care policy changes pertaining to signature requirements, audits by Pharmacy Benefit Management companies, prior authorizations, and more. 

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

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy has issued COVID-19 guidance to pharmacies about its enforcement of administrative rules and published a document with Frequently Asked Questions.

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

The Iowa state legislature suspended its session for a minimum of thirty days as of March 16th out of concern for the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Iowa Board of Pharmacy issued guidance for pharmacies with limited supplies of compounding garb.

Also in Iowa…  A reminder that the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise’s cost of dispensing survey is due March 26, 2020.  For more information, please see this Information Letter.

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

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R ) announced the reappointment of two members of the Board of Pharmacy: Brett Barker, PharmD of NACDS member company NuCara Pharmacy, and Gayle Mayer, RPh.

Also in Iowa…  The Iowa Department of Human Services announced the delay of the Medicaid pharmacy changes outlined in Informational Letter No. 2086-MC-FFS scheduled to be effective March 18.

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

The Iowa Medicaid Enterprise issued an Informational Letter clarifying how pharmacists can enroll as providers, enabling them to order and dispense naloxone and smoking cessation products, as well as order and administer vaccines to Medicaid members.  Payment for pharmacists enrolled as providers will be effective July 1, 2020.  For more information, please see the Iowa Pharmacy Association Journal article. 

Also in Iowa...  NACDS reminds members that the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise’s biennial cost of dispensing survey was sent to pharmacies on February 4 and is due by March 26.  More information can be found on a recent Informational Letter. 

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