The Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) is hosting a webinar on October 8th aimed at helping pharmacists identify and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in the MO HealthNet pharmacy program.  Pre-registration is required –  (Click here to register).

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

The Department of Health and Senior Services is now offering two options for free COVID-19 testing: (1) in-person testing events hosted around the state www.health.mo.gov/communitytest; and (2) residents may order a free PCR test kits mailed to their Missouri address with a return FedEx shipping container, with results emailed back within 48 hours www.health.mo.gov/communitytest.

Also in Missouri, Gov. Mike Parson (R) issued a new COVID-19 State of Emergency declaration focusing on the healthcare system and recovery from COVID-19, extending the order here to December 31, 2021.

Finally in Missouri, the Department of Commerce and Insurance issued a revised COVID waiver updated by the Board of Pharmacy to include the Remote Data Entry waiver approved by the Governor. Current Board rule 20 CSR 2220-2.725 allows qualified pharmacy technicians/intern pharmacists to perform remote data entry from home or at an in-state non-pharmacy location.   The COVID-19 Remote Data Entry waiver allows pharmacy technicians/intern pharmacists to also perform remote data entry at a site that is not located in Missouri, if authorized by the supervising pharmacist.    Pharmacy technicians/intern pharmacists may perform remote data entry at a non-Missouri location in compliance with 20 CSR 2220-2.725 while the COVID-19 waiver is in effect (Missouri locations are authorized by 20 CSR 2220-2.725).

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

In response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CMS) certain immunocompromised individuals can begin receiving third doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the Department of Health and Senior Services revised their standing order.https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/statewide-orders.php.  

Also in Missouri, mask mandates are back in several metro areas. Jackson County implemented a 30-day mask mandate effective August 9th for everyone 5 years and older, regardless of vaccination status. Kansas City reinstated its indoor mask mandate for individuals who are at least 5 years old for the month of August. St. Louis City and County both implemented an order requiring masks to be worn by all individuals over the age of 5 while indoors as of July 26th, with no end date. 

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

In 2020 voters approved a state constitutional amendment mandating Medicaid expansion. Gov. Mike Parson’s included funding in his budget proposal but the General Assembly refused to fund the expansion to cover 275,000 more low-income adults and hire 75 more employees to administer the expanded program. On August 10th the Circuit Court ruled that the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) should immediately begin enrolling people into the MO HealthNet program.   

Also in Missouri, the Board of Pharmacy will be holding a virtual meeting on August 18th to discuss the newly formed Pharmacy Working Conditions Task Force members and meeting schedule, finalize draft legislation for 2022 session, and cover the following topics: https://pr.mo.gov/boards/pharmacy/meetings/future/2021-08-18%20OPEN%20Conf.%20Call.pdf. 

Finally in Missouri, the Pharmacy Agent Corporation (PAC) along with the Missouri Pharmacy Association (MPA) and consultant, G.L.O. & Associates, secured an additional $5 million in funding for MO HealthNet to increase the net dispensing fee to $10.05 after all provider tax payments and expenses.  

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

The state Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Medicaid Expansion Amendment 2 approved by voters in August of 2020 is constitutional. Previously, Gov. Mike Parson’s (R) administration announced that it would not enroll the Expansion population because the Legislature’s did not provide additional funding. As a result of the court decision, Mo HealthNet (Medicaid) will move forward on Expansion.

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

The Missouri Department of Social Services proposed to amend regulations under 13 CSR 70-20 to remove outdated provisions regarding the return of unused prescription drugs issued to a MO HealthNet (Medicaid) participant. Comments are due July 31, 2021.

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

The Board of Pharmacy met virtually on July 14 and 15 to review legislation that was approved by the Missouri General Assembly earlier this year including the new Prescription Drug Monitoring Program/Rx Cares for Missouri law SB 63 effective August 28, 2021. Also, the Board discussed several draft bills for the 2022 legislative session, including proposal to expand access to immunizations by eliminating the prescription order.

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

NACDS submitted comments opposing the inclusion of discount cards and programs in the definition of Usual and Customary that could contribute to below-cost pharmacy reimbursement.  

Also in Missouri, Gov. Mike Parson (R) signed into law legislation passed during the special session that extends the Federal Reimbursement Allowance (FRA) program, which is a provider tax on pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes and other health-care providers that are critical to drawing down federal match to fund Missouri’s Medicaid program to 2024. The FRA is currently set to expire September 30. (SB 1) 

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

Gov. Mike Parson (R) convened a special session on June 23, 2021, to address extending Medicaid funding for the state because the Legislature adjourned last month prior to passing a renewal of the Federal Reimbursement Allowance (FRA), the tax on health care providers that draws down billions in federal matching dollars to fund the state’s Medicaid budget. To prevent a $1.4B budget gap, lawmakers only have five days to pass legislation to extend the program as the deadline for a balanced state budget is set for July 1, 2021. 

Also in Missouri, NACDS is preparing a comment letter objecting to an emergency proposed rule that would add this new definition of usual and customary (“U&C”) for purposes of reimbursement for covered drugs under the state’s Medicaid program. “U&C is defined as the provider’s charge to the general public that reflects all advertised savings, discounts, special promotions, or other programs including membership-based discounts initiated to reduce prices for product costs available to the general public, a special population, or an inclusive category of customers.” 

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