The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Unit and the North Dakota State University Department of Public Health are excited to announce an opportunity for approximately 15-18 North Dakota pharmacists to complete the Antimicrobial Stewardship Certification Program through the Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists. Please see the document linked here for more information regarding the certification program curriculum and how to apply. Interested pharmacists must complete the application (PDF Form or Word document) and return it to Emily Perry by 5:00 p.m. on June 30. If you have any questions, please contact Emily Perry, Antimicrobial Stewardship Lead at NDSU’s Center for Collaboration and Advancement of Pharmacy, at 701-552-2784 or by emailing Emily.Perry@ndsu.edu  

Also in North Dakota, Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed SB 2041, legislation that caps cost-sharing for insulin and medical supplies for insulin dosing and administration for enrollees in the public employee retirement system. It does not limit out-of-pocket costs on an insulin pump, an electronic insulin-administering smart pen or a continuous glucose monitor. 

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

On April 5, Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed SB 2378, legislation related to clinician-administered drugs. The new law includes language that prohibits a PBM from requiring “a patient, as a condition of payment of reimbursement, to purchase pharmacist services, including prescriptions drugs, exclusively through a mail-order pharmacy or a pharmacy benefit manager affiliate, or a combination of both.”

Also in North Dakota, on April 10, Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed HB 1095, legislation including comprehensive medication management services in health benefit plans.  

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

Engrossed HB 1095,legislation to include comprehensive medication management services in health benefit plans, unanimously passed the House and was sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Human Services Committee. A hearing has been scheduled for March 7 at 9:00 a.m.

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

SB 2031, designing and implementing a prescription drug reference rate pilot program to study the possibility of controlling excessive prices for prescription drugs, failed in the Senate (14-33).

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

On May 12, the Department of Human Services posted a reminder about the Timely Filing Policy for claim dates of service on or after January 1, 2022. See the ND Medicaid Provider Updates webpage for historical updates.

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

The Department of Health has developed the following COVID-19 vaccine resources:

• COVID-19 Vaccines: Second Booster Dose FAQ
• COVID-19 Vaccine Decision Tree for the General Public – includes Primary Series, 1^st Booster Dose and 2^nd Booster Dose information
• COVID-19 Vaccine Decision Tree for Those Who are Immunocompromised – includes Primary Series, 1^st Booster Dose and 2^nd Booster Dose information

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued its March 2022 newsletter that includes articles about biosimilars and legislation enacted in 2021 that expands the role of the pharmacists with prescriptive authority for immunizations and tobacco cessation.

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

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota is providing coverage to the Medicaid expansion population effective January 1, 2022. See the Medicaid Expansion Provider Manual for information to submit claims for pharmacist administered vaccines.

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

The Medicaid Provider e-Newsletter — December 2021 includes articles with information related to pharmacists being able to bill for smoking cessation and continuous glucose monitoring services. Also, the Medicaid Provider Call Center will be unavailable from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. Central Time on many Fridays in 2022 for staff training; see schedule in the newsletter. 

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