On May 13, the Department of Public Health, and Human Services (DPHHS) revised its Provider Revalidation Extension. The following is currently posted on the DPHHS website:  

“On December 13, 2021, Montana Healthcare Programs began sending revalidation notices to providers who are due for provider revalidation. The letters specify a due date. Montana Healthcare Programs is extending the required revalidation date for any provider who has received a revalidation notice. This extension is primarily due to a known system issue that is creating challenges for some providers when trying to revalidate. Providers should not attempt to revalidate their provider information at this time. Notices will be posted when the online revalidation feature is working properly. Providers will be given a minimum of 90 days
to complete revalidation activities once notification has occurred.” 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Pursuant to MAR 24-174-78, the Board of Pharmacy’s final rule amendments were published in the Administrative Rules of Montana, effective March 26, related to elimination of the ratio of pharmacy technicians and interns to pharmacists and inclusion of other healthcare licensees for vaccine administration and corresponding changes to the technician utilization plan.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Department of Public Health and Human Services issued a Notice of Amendment to ARM 37.85.105, updating effective dates of Medicaid fee schedules retroactively to January 1, 2022. Reimbursement for outpatient drugs did not change.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy reminds pharmacies that the temporary emergency rule (MAR 24-174-77) expired on January 11, 2022; this temporary rule included the removal of the pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio for purposes of vaccine and testing administration and allowed other healthcare providers authorized to administer vaccines to assist pharmacists with vaccine administration. Since these provisions are no longer in effect, the pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio is 1:4 per ARM 24.174.711. 

Also in Montana, the Board of Pharmacy issued a Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Amendment in MAR 24-174-78. This proposed amendment removes the pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio, provides for certain pharmacist-in-charge oversight in staffing and allows for other healthcare providers authorized to administer vaccines to assist pharmacists with vaccine administration. The Public Hearing will be held via remote conferencing on February 4. Written comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 11. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Dept. of Public Health and Human Services issued a Notice of Public Hearing on proposed amendments to ARM 37.85.105, updating effective dates of Medicaid fee schedules; see the relevant section related to outpatient drugs located on pages 1888-9. The public hearing will be held on January 13 and comments are due January 22. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy held a full board conference call meeting on September 2 to discuss issuing an emergency rule to address pharmacy staffing shortages related to COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.  As a result, the Board of Pharmacy adopted temporary emergency rules, effective September 14, 2021, and expiring on January 11, 2022, including the following:   

• Rule I: Temporary emergency suspension of pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio for purposes of vaccine activities and COVID-19 testing. 
• Rule II: Temporary emergency expansion of personnel who may work in a pharmacy or under the supervision of a pharmacist. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy has scheduled the following meetings:

• Screening Panel on September 23 (Executive Session-Closed)
• Adjudication Panel on September 24 (Prior to full Board)
• Full Board on September 24 (Open Via Teleconference Only) – Note: Full agenda will be posted on the Board Events website within 10 days of the meeting date with changes permitted up to three days prior to the meeting date.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

SB 395 Chapter Number: 501, establishing licensure, reporting, marketing, and advertising, network adequacy requirements, and 340B related provisions for PBMs, was signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) on May 12, 2021.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

On March 31, 2021, Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) announced a directive to reduce barriers to vaccine administration in pharmacies across Montana. The directive permits pharmacists to use any qualified, licensed health care providers, under their scope of practice, to assist with the administration of COVID-19 vaccines for the remainder of the state of emergency and temporarily waives the current restriction on the number of pharmacy technicians a pharmacist may supervise for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines and associated administrative duties and procedures. The directive is in effect for the remainder of Montana’s state of emergency per Executive Order 2-2021.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.