Effective February 18, MOHealthNet changed the early refill policy for medications to 85% for controlled and non-controlled substances. Providers may contact the Pharmacy Help Desk at (800) 392-8030 option 3 if overrides are needed.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Board of Pharmacy will host its next Lunch with the Chief Inspector series on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at noon CST and will cover regulations currently in process.  Please register here.

Also in Missouri. MOHealthNet has issued several bulletins outlining changes to pharmacy reimbursement. In one bulletin, MOHealthNet announced changes to the professional dispensing fee and a new policy of one dispensing fee every 25 days, effective February 1, 2021.  MOHealthNet also published a new provider manual in which they added a definition for Usual and Customary (pages 162-163). NACDS does not have a record of such a definition previously in Missouri. NACDS has requested feedback to be submitted to Joel Kurzman by COB Tuesday, February 2, 2021.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Department of Commerce and Insurance issued an emergency rule authorizing technician immunization authority effective January 19, 2021, and expiring July 17, 2021. Please visit the above link for more information.

Also in Missouri. Per Governor Parson’s (R) emergency waiver, pharmacists are authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccines: (1) under a statewide standing order issued by the Department of Health and Senior Services or (2) according to a protocol with a Missouri-licensed physician. All HHS requirements apply to COVID-19 vaccines administered under the emergency waiver, including, all training and reporting requirements. More information can be found in this Board of Pharmacy’s Frequently Asked Questions Document which can be found here.

Also in Missouri, the Department of Health and Senior Services issued an emergency rule establishing a process for practitioners to obtain a waiver from electronic prescribing requirements for Schedules II, III, and IV substances beginning March 30, 2021. Please visit the link above for more information.

Lastly in Missouri. The Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs has released a new online reporting system for reports of losses, thefts, and diversions. Reports may now be submitted electronically online so a paper form does not have to be used and mailed. More information can be found at the above link.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

MOHealthNet has published a new Bulletin with information on COVID-19 vaccination billing. Please visit the above web link for more information.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

MOHealthNet reminds its providers about upcoming system updates, including Pharmacy Point of Sale and the Helpdesk. The Pharmacy Point of Sale will not be available for approximately 1.5 hours starting at midnight CDT on Saturday, December 5, 2020, and will be brought up by 1:30 A.M. CDT on Saturday, December 5, 2020. Pharmacies may begin submitting claims after 1:30 A.M. CDT. The Pharmacy Helpdesk will be unavailable on Saturday, December 5, and will be available on Sunday, December 6, 2020, for normal business hours.

Also in Missouri. The State of Missouri COVID-19 vaccine planning team will host Vaccine Planning for Vaccinators meetings on Thursdays from 3-4 pm Central, with its first meeting being held on December 3. The planning team will provide state and federal updates as needed on COVID-19 vaccine production and distribution plans and answer questions from providers who have enrolled with DHSS as COVID-19 vaccinators as well as those who are seeking more information about the process before enrollment. View the vaccinator webpage for more information. To register to attend the December 3 meeting, please register here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Department of Social Services’ MOHealthNet issued an updated set of COVID testing and specimen codes as of November 9. Please visit the above link for additional information.

Also in Missouri. The Board of Pharmacy issued a statement regarding pharmacy technicians and HHS expanded vaccination authority. All of the Board’s COVID-related updates can be found here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The regulation to implement a pharmacist’s authority to prescribe nicotine replacement therapy products went into effect on October 30. The statute was enacted in 2019 from SB 514 led by pharmacist Senator David Sater, who recently retired from elected office due to term limits. More information can be found at the above links.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.