On February 22, MaineCare announced it is experiencing intermittent network issues processing claims due to Change Healthcare network interruption. As a result, if a pharmacy experiences issues with claims, MaineCare advises to follow routine offline claims processing procedures.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
On February 12, the Department of Health and Human Services updated its standing order regarding COVID-19 at home tests. The Standing Order authorizes licensed pharmacists to create a prescription for the over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 at home tests for eligible MaineCare members.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The state legislature held two work sessions on LD 1829, An Act to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs by Requiring Reference-based Pricing. The measure attempts to prohibit the dispensing, delivery or administration of a prescription drug at a cost that exceeds the maximum fair price during the price applicability period. The bill also attempts to prohibit insurers from purchasing or seeking reimbursement for referenced drugs at a cost higher than the maximum fair price. Lastly, LD 1829 attempts to prohibit retail pharmacies from purchasing or seeking reimbursement for referenced drugs dispensed to a consumer whose health care is provided by an insurer at a cost exceeding the maximum fair price. The bill is still pending before the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services. NACDS joined other industry groups in a letter of concern with opposition to several aspects of the bill.
Also in Maine, on February 1, the Board of Pharmacy held its regularly scheduled meeting.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
On January 4, the Maine Board of Pharmacy held its regular meeting. The agenda included the following:
Also in Maine, on January 11, Gov. Janet Mills (D) issued a State of Emergency declaration. The State of the Civil Emergency will last one week, and the Governor will continue to evaluate its necessity daily. This declaration triggers the hazard pay provision for the City of Portland for those with operations within the city.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Board of Pharmacy held its monthly meeting on December 7. The agenda covered the following policies and updates:
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Board of Pharmacy updated its rulemaking for pharmacists to administer vaccines, consistent with Public Law 2023 Chapter 170. On October 6, 2023, the Board issued Written Statement #01-2023 indicating that the Board does not believe rulemaking is necessary before an appropriately licensed and ADV-certified pharmacist is permitted to administer vaccines consistent with the above-stated authorizations.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Maine legislative session just ended this week with two pharmacy bills left unfunded on the appropriations table, which means they will be reconsidered in the 2024 session. The two bills were LD 1558, a bill that would ban pharmacies from selling most tobacco products, and LD 275, a bill that would study the workplace treatment of pharmacists.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
On June 15, the Maine legislature approved LD 899, a bill that would authorize certified pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and complete a certification program. Said certification program must be approved by the board and have at least six (6) hours of vaccine-related training that includes, at a minimum, training on the safe and effective administration of vaccines, hands-on injection technique, clinical evaluation of indications and contraindications of vaccines and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines and cardiovascular life support training. Lastly, the bill also clarifies the timing of when vaccine administration training requirements must be completed by pharmacists. The measure was approved with an emergency preamble and will be effective upon signing by the Governor.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The agenda has been posted for the October 6th Board of Pharmacy meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.