HB 471, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Freiberg (R), authorizes pharmacists to order and administer, and pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations to children aged 7 years and older. The bill passed the House Health and Welfare Committee by a vote of 14-2 on May 16, and it was sent to the full House to be voted on next week. Thanks to Dwana Day with Brookshire Grocery Company, and Albertsons Companies’ pharmacists Ryan LaBarbera and Brittany Tucker for a fantastic job representing their profession by testifying at the House hearing. NACDS and the Louisiana Alliance for Pharmacies strongly urge immediate action contacting all legislators where you operate pharmacies in their district.

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

While HB 471, by Rep. Barbara Freiberg (R) authorizing pharmacists to order and administer, and pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations to children aged seven years and older was scheduled to be heard in the House Health and Welfare Committee on May 10, the sponsor asked that the bill be deferred until May 17. The additional time gives chain pharmacies an opportunity to take action and contact House Health and Welfare Committee members urging them to support HB 471 to preserve patient access for children and families to receive lifesaving vaccines at pharmacies. 

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

HB 471 by Rep. Barbara Freiberg (R) authorizing pharmacists to order and administer and pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations to children aged seven years and older is scheduled for a hearing in the House Health and Welfare Committee on May 10. The Louisiana Alliance for Retail Pharmacies is urging chain pharmacies to take action to preserve patient access to children and families for lifesaving vaccines at pharmacies. 

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

The Legislature convened their 60-day fiscal session on Monday, April 10th. The House Health Committee has scheduled a hearing on May 10th on HB 471, legislation the Louisiana Alliance of Retail Pharmacies (LARP) initiated that lowers the age to 7 and older for pharmacies to administer all ACIP immunizations and vaccines without a patient specific prescription or medical order.

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

Prefiling bills has begun in advance of the fiscal session that convenes on April 10^th.

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

The Department of Health (LDH) announced that they now plan to migrate Medicaid to a single payor system on October 1. All patients will be assigned to a managed care organization and will receive a new universal prescription benefit card. 

Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy met on February 15 & 16.

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

The Department of Health (LDH) issued a standing order for naloxone allowing pharmacists to dispense naloxone to caregivers, family and friends of an opioid user.

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

Effective January 1, 2023, the Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Program expanded to include a sixth managed care organization (MCO), Humana Healthy Horizons. For more information on verifying eligibility and processing claims, go to Pharmacy Facts. 

Also in Louisiana, effective January 1, 2023, Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), will implement a point of sale dispensing of contraceptives allowing a 6-month supply when the recipient has a previous history of contraceptive agents. The allowance applies to pharmacy claims submitted to FFS and MCOs (Aetna, AmeriHealth Caritas, Healthy Blue, Humana Healthy Horizons, Louisiana Healthcare Connections and UnitedHealthcare). 

Finally in Louisiana, the 2023 Naloxone standing order was updated effective January 1, 2023 

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

The Department of Health issued a Medicaid Bulletin 22-38 with updates and requirements for the provider enrollment portal.  

Also in Louisiana, Medicaid expanded its “Shot per 100,000” COVID-19 vaccine incentive program to include booster shots. Those age 5 years and older who received their first or second dose of the vaccine on or after April 5, 2022, qualify for this incentive, as do those age 6 months to age 4 years who were vaccinated with their first or second dose on or after July 5, 2022 and those age 6 months and older who received a vaccine booster dose on or after October 1, 2022, are all eligible for the $200 gift card. 

Also in Louisiana, the new Preferred Drug List (PDL) update will be implemented January 1, 2023. There were no new therapeutic classes added to the PDL during the Fall 2022 Pharmaceutical & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee review. 

Finally in Louisiana, Medicaid will include six health plans beginning January 1, 2023. They are Aetna Better Health, AmeriHealth Caritas, Healthy Blue Louisiana, Humana Healthy Horizons, Louisiana Healthcare Connections and UnitedHealthcare. Prior to January 1, 2023, most Medicaid members were auto-assigned to one of the Medicaid health plans. Attached is a communications toolkit. 

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