The Department of Health (LDH) Bureau of Health Services Financing announced that effective February 7, 2022, the Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) will pay for certain COVID-19 oral antiviral agents. Also, on January 26, the Pharmacy Program implemented coverage for OTC at home FDA authorized COVID-19 tests with no copay, with an effective date of January 17, 2022. The fee for service dispensing fee is $10.99. 

Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy’s Regulation Revision Committee approved with no objections the legislative proposal changing the age thresholds in pharmacy immunization law to match age thresholds in PREP Act. Next it will be considered by the full Board at their February 17th meeting in Baton Rouge.  

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

The Board of Pharmacy’s Regulation Revision Committee will meet in Baton Rouge on February 2nd to consider several legislative proposals including changing the age thresholds in pharmacy immunization law to match age thresholds in PREP Act. [01-12-2022] Consideration of Legislative Proposal 2022-H ~ Immunizations (Draft #1) If approved by the Committee, the items will be considered by the full Board on February 17th.

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

Referencing the federal law and regulations, the Board of Pharmacy’s Regulation Revision Committee sent to the full Board for final consideration at the February 16 meeting draft CLIA guidelines confirming that properly credentialed pharmacies may perform moderately complex lab testing. 

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) Bureau of Health Services Financing issued a Provider Update on reimbursement for COVID-19 booster shots and third doses for Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). Effective January 18th, Louisiana Medicaid will reimburse enrolled pharmacies for the administration fee or $37.08 or billed charges, and not for the ingredient for COVID-19 vaccines. No dispensing fee shall be reimbursed.  

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

At the Regulation Revision Committee (RRC) meeting on January 5th, members revised and approved several proposed legislative bill drafts of interest to chain pharmacies, including (1) amending the prescription monitoring program law to provide limited access to audit trail information to designated representatives of Louisiana Medicaid; (2) require Pharmacy Benefit Managers to obtain a permit from the Board of Pharmacy; (3) revising the definition of collaborative practice and authorizing pharmacists to provide certain patient care services in accordance with statewide protocols developed by the Board’s Public Health and Pharmacy Protocol Advisory Committee and approved by the Board of Pharmacy; and (4) changing the definition of collaborative practice and adding a definition of a collaborative practice agreement authorizing pharmacists to engage in collaborative practice in accordance with rules promulgated by the Board of Pharmacy. The RRC also approved a draft CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) Waived Testing Policy statement confirming pharmacist’s authority to perform these tests under federal law. The full Board of Pharmacy will be considering all these issues at their February 16th meeting. 

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) issued a new Naloxone standing order. They also issued Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale (POS) Diagnosis Code Requirement and Bypass Diagnosis Codes – Effective January 1, 2022; Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Clinical Authorization and Criteria Updates – Effective January 1, 2022; and Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Quantity Limits – Effective January 1, 2022 

Finally in Louisiana, in advance of the December 28, 2021, Board of Pharmacy’s Public Hearing, NACDS submitted comments in support of proposed rules that make permanent certain authorities for pharmacy technicians and interns authorized under the PREP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) Act. Specifically, the proposed rules would codify authority for pharmacy technicians and interns to administer vaccines, in addition to making other changes to the existing rules that simplify existing administrative requirements for vaccines provided by pharmacy providers. We anticipate that the final rule will be published on March 20, 2022, Louisiana Register, and become effective immediately. 

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

The Department of Health (LDH) issued a revised Bulletin 19-3 outlining provider’s options have to resolve issues with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. (MCOs) 

Also in Louisiana, despite objections from some lawmakers and the Attorney General, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced that he is adding COVID-19 vaccinations to the list of required shots for students to attend schools and universities, effective for the 2022-23 school year. 

Finally in Louisiana, NACDS submitted written comments to the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy in support of proposed rules that make permanent certain authorities for pharmacy technicians and interns authorized under the PREP Act. Specifically, the proposed rules would codify authority for pharmacy technicians and interns to administer vaccines, in addition to making other changes to the existing rules that simplify existing administrative requirements for vaccines provided by pharmacy providers. The Board will hold a public hearing on December 28, 2021. 

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

The Department of Health (LDH) held its monthly COVID-19 Vaccine Partners virtual webinar providing the latest statistics on vaccines administered, LDH also did a one-year look-back highlighting equitable distribution across the state’s nine healthcare regions. More information is available at La.Immunization@La.gov.

Also in Louisiana, in addition to electing new officers at the November 17^th Board meeting, the board approved to move forward on adopting fee increases Regulatory Proposal 2021-G. They also discussed proposed New PPM.I.A.35, Emergency Prescriptions for Durable Medical Equipment (Draft #1) State of Emergency authorizing pharmacists to dispense emergency prescriptions of prescribed medications during a state of emergency. Finally, they approved Proposed Revision of PPM.I.D.28 ~ COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Guidance for Licensees re PREP Act Declaration by HHS (Draft #1), which is a guidance document.

Finally in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy scheduled an in-person Public Hearing on December 28, 2021, on a proposed rule on medication administration that would make permanent pharmacy technicians and interns administering immunizations. Pharmacies are encouraged to email written supportive comments to the Board in advance of the hearing. info@pharmacy.la.gov

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

The Department of Health (LDH) LDH recommends COVID-19 booster shots for all fully vaccinated Louisianans ages 18 and older. 

Also in Louisiana, longtime Board of Pharmacy president Carl Aron, an independent pharmacist from Monroe, announced his retirement at the November 17th meeting. The Board elected Marty McKay as president. 

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) announced a billing update for COVID-19 vaccines for 5-11 years old, third dose and booster shots. 

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

The Department of Health (LDH) Secretary Courtney Phillips released LDH’s business plan in almost a decade, titled Together: Building a Stronger LDH and a Healthier Louisiana for state fiscal year (FY) 2022. The plan identifies and details 17 initiatives and 42 goals under four major commitments.

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

Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) lifted the public health emergency indoor mask mandate, but the Governor is keeping in place face covering requirements for certain K-12 schools, effective October 27.

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