Although Gov. John Bel Edwards extended the statewide stay at home order to April 30, 2020 on March 31st, the legislature reconvened their legislative session for about an hour before adjourning again because of coronavirus concerns. They did not set a return date. As you recall, the regular session opened March 9th was suspended March 16th. Session will end June 1, 2020 although a special session could be held immediately afterward. All spending bills must be approved before the fiscal year begins July 1, 2020.  
 
Also in Louisiana... The last day for filing bills was also Tuesday, and there were two dozen bills filed mentioning coronavirus. NACDS continues to stay in close contact with our pharmacy champions that have filed our payment parity and immunization bills, and is working with the Louisiana Independent Pharmacy Association on both filing a bill and seeking a statewide protocol for pharmacists to test and dispense antiviral medications. Over the past week, we initiated two meetings with Medicaid to promote our model language for access to essential medications. 
 
Also in Louisiana... The Board of Pharmacy convened a special Board meeting via conference call on April 2nd to discuss guidelines related to COVID19. Link to agenda – http://www.pharmacy.la.gov/assets/docs/Board/2020-0402_1_AgendaBdMtg-T.pdf 

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

After seeing several Emergency Orders allowing early refills, 90-day supply for maintenance medications, extending prior authorizations and waving copays, NACDS reached out to the Department of Health’s Medicaid and Pharmacy staff requesting that they consider additional COVID19 waivers. NACDS shared model language to access essential services at pharmacies, including encouraging the Department of Health to adopt a statewide protocol to allow pharmacists to test and treat for COVID-19 once the anti-viral comes to market. We also discussed 1135 waivers and their pending SPA which will allow pharmacists to be reimbursed for adult immunizations. 

Also in Louisiana... The Board of Pharmacy adopted an Emergency Rule placing limitations on the dispensing of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19. Link to all emergency rules adopted – http://www.doa.la.gov/Pages/osr/emr/emr.aspx and the guidance document can be found here –  

http://www.pharmacy.la.gov/assets/docs/EmergencyCommunications/2020_COVID-19/COVID-19_BoardGuidance_2020-0323_Rescind-ER.pdf 

Also in Louisiana... Prior to the postponement on the March 18th Board of Pharmacy’s Regulation Revision Committee meeting, NACDS submitted a comment letter on the telepharmacy rules, urging the Board to remove the arbitrary restrictions on location of dispensing sites, prescription volume, and staffing requirements. 

Also in Louisiana... The April 7, 2020 Pharmacy Legislative Day at the Capitol has been cancelled. 

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

Working with our in-state partner the Louisiana Retailers Association, NACDS was successful in identifying strong bill sponsors to pre-file two pharmacy bills prior to the start of the 60-day session which began on March 9^th.

• SB 296 by Sen. Regina Ashley Barrow would allow pharmacists to administer vaccines other than the influenza vaccine to individuals younger than 17 years without a prescription; and allow pharmacists to administer the influenza vaccine to individuals younger than 7 years without a prescription, consistent with pharmacists’ ability to provide such vaccines to older patient populations.
• HB 459 by Rep. Joseph Stagni will would allow pharmacists to be reimbursed by commercial health plans for patient-care services within the pharmacist’s scope of practice

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

NACDS and the Louisiana Retailers Association succeeded in finding legislators to pre-file legislation advancing the practice of pharmacy. Rep. Regina Ashford Barrow (D) introduced a broad immunization expansion bill, SB 296. and Rep. Joseph Stagni (R), Chiropractic Physician, filed HB 459, legislation that mandates payment for healthcare services performed by pharmacists was modeled after the 2019 Texas law. The Legislature convenes at Noon on Monday, March 9.

Also in Louisiana… The Department of Health recently posted these provider notices:

https://www.lamedicaid.com/provweb1/Pharmacy/March_Implementations_2-28-20.pdf

https://www.lamedicaid.com/sitesearch/searchpura.aspx

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

The Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Courtney Phillips, was hired by Gov. John Bel Edwards to serve as the chief of the Louisiana Department of Health.  Phillips is replacing former Secretary Rebekah Gee who announced her retirement last month as the head of Louisiana’s largest state agency.

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

The Department of Health’s Medicaid Pharmacy Program announced that effective March 2020, MCOs will add a lock-in component.

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

Having received unanimous support from NACDS and the other seven Pharmacy organizations that represent all pharmacists within the state, this week the Board of Pharmacy agreed to file legislation that would expand collaborative practice agreements and allow pharmacists to prescribe. 

Also in Louisiana... NACDS and other representatives from the Louisiana Pharmacy Congress will be meeting with legislators and business groups this week to solicit their support for payment parity legislation which would ensure that payors may not deny reimbursement to a pharmacist for the provision of a service or procedure within the scope of the pharmacist’s license to practice pharmacy.

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

In advance of the January 29th public hearing, NACDS submitted comments to the Department of Health’s Bureau of Health Services Financing in support of the proposed rule changes relating to Vaccine Administration and Reimbursement. In our letter we commended the Bureau for pursuing rulemaking to expand the types of vaccines that pharmacy providers can offer and be reimbursed for providing to Medicaid beneficiaries. This rule change will broaden access to important immunization services for Medicaid beneficiaries, ultimately helping to improve the health of covered individuals, leading to healthier communities in general and reducing overall healthcare spending.

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

The Board of Pharmacy is holding a Regulation Revision Committee meeting at 8:30 AM on January 22, 2020. Issues of interest to NACDS members include proposed rules on PBMs, technician ratios, and the Board’s 2020 legislation. To review the agenda, go to – https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/6FTCCrkBDZfEykwF422Ak?domain=pharmacy.la.gov 

Also in Louisiana... Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Barbara Gee renewed the annual Standing Order for distribution or dispensing of Naloxone and other opioid antagonists effective 1/1/2020. 

Also in Louisiana... Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) appointed Dr Sajal K. Roy, a pharmacist from Madisonville, to serve a six-year term on the Board of Pharmacy, replacing Diane Milano. 

Also in Louisiana... In advance of the December 27th public hearing, NACDS provided the Board of Pharmacy with comments and recommendations on several proposed rules on immunizations and dispensing prescription refills. 

Also in Louisiana... On January 3rd, Louisiana Health Department (LDH) Secretary Rebekah Gee, MD, MPH, submitted her resignation to Gov. John Bel Edwards (D).  Medicaid Director Jen Steele has also resigned from LDH. 

Also in Louisiana... Effective for dates of service on or after August 1, 2019, Medicaid will require all professional service and independent laboratory providers to include a valid CLIA number on all claims submitted for laboratory services, including CLIA waived tests. Claims submitted with an absent, incorrect or invalid CLIA number will deny. For more information go to – http://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/BayouHealth/Informational_Bulletins/2019/IB19-8/IB19-8_revised_1.3.20.pdf

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