The Board of Pharmacy has asked NACDS to remind pharmacies about their guidance on dealing with expired licenses and NPLEX. Additionally, they are interested in knowing if pharmacies are experiencing any issues with the modification process necessary to input expired licenses. If you have any feedback that you would like NACDS to share with the Board, please forward it to Jill McCormack at jmccormack@nacds.org.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy has released updated guidance including FAQs on the administration of COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. Similar guidance addressing pharmacy technicians is also available here.

Also in Ohio. Medicaid has released the results of its 2020 Fee-For-Service Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Study conducted by Myers & Stauffer.  The survey found that the mean cost of dispensing, weighted by Medicaid prescription volume, was $9.46 per prescription for all pharmacies including specialty pharmacies. For non-specialty pharmacies only, the mean cost of dispensing, weighted by Medicaid prescription volume, was $9.07 per prescription. Based on the results from this survey, ODM stated there will be no change to the current FFS tiered structure.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Medicaid has published a revised version of rules intended to allow pharmacists to bill Medicaid for collaborative drug therapy management, immunizations, and medication administration. This version makes it clearer that pharmacists can use a standing order or protocol as documentation for immunization services. NACDS plans to comment and asks members to send comments to jmccormack@nacds.org by November 10, 2020.

Also in Ohio. On November 19, 2020, the Ohio Department of Medicaid will be offering a Basic Billing fee-for-service training session for pharmacists who will be providing services to Ohio Medicaid patients. Attendees will receive basic information regarding Ohio Medicaid rules, Ohio Medicaid eligibility, MITS portal billing, and other resources. Registration is required. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Ohio Department of Health and the Governor’s Pandemic Response and Recovery Leadership Team created a webinar on how to participate in the Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Program. This webinar is now available on-demand and provides an overview of Ohio’s proposed vaccination strategy, as well as detailed instructions if you choose to become a provider of the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Please submit any questions you have to covidvaccine@ODH.ohio.gov.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Medicaid (ODM) is moving forward with the implementation of the tiered supplemental dispensing fee required by House Bill 166 of the 133rd General Assembly. After soliciting feedback from pharmacy association stakeholders, including NACDS, ODM has developed a methodology for allocating the funds as described in this FAQ document. They also created a dashboard that allows pharmacies to preview if they are eligible and the amount of funds they will receive by plugging in NPI numbers. Members can direct questions to medicaid_pharmacy@medicaid.ohio.gov.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

On Sept. 30 the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) released a Request for Applications (RFA) inviting managed care organizations to submit proposals for Ohio’s managed care program. The RFA is a major part of ODM’s plans to streamline and modernize the Medicaid Managed Care program. For more information click here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy has issued guidance on both pharmacists’ administration of the COVID-19 vaccine and childhood vaccines during the pandemic.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Two bills that would expand pharmacy scope of practice have been adopted by the General Assembly and are on their way to Governor DeWine (R) for signature:

• HB 203 expands the current law around Collaborative Practice Agreements to allow pharmacies to partner with clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, certified nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
• HB 341 authorizes pharmacists to administer long-acting or extended-release drugs for addiction treatment

Also in Ohio. The Board of Pharmacy’s Rules Committee will meet virtually on September 10, 2020, at 9:30 am to review proposed changes and new rules governing pharmacy technicians, as well as new remote prescription and order entry rules. More information and instructions to access the meeting are on the agenda.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.