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.

The Board of Pharmacy is holding a Regulation Revision Committee meeting at 8:30 AM on January 22. To review the agenda, go to – https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/6FTCCrkBDZfEykwF422Ak?domain=pharmacy.la.gov 

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

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

The Department of Health Bureau of Health Services and Financing issued a Medicaid provider notice that effective December 15, the Fee-for-Service Pharmacy program and Managed Care organizations will implement a new POS diagnosis code requirement and quantity limits for certain nasal sprays.

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

NACDS provided the Pharmacy Congress with revised draft bill language that would expand pharmacists’ scope of practice and provide payment parity. NACDS is working to secure broad support from all pharmacy stakeholders to find bill sponsors and promote the legislation in 2020.  

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

The Board of Pharmacy’s Regulation Revision Committee will be meeting on Thursday, October 17. In advance of the meeting, members are encouraged to submit letters of support urging the Board to amend rules to eliminate the pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio.

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

Effective October 1, the Department of Health (LDH) implemented a new educational alert at the point-of-sale for concurrent uses of opiates and antipsychotic medicines for the Medicaid fee-for-service program

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