The Ohio Department of Health (ODM) has published provider guidance regarding administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children. Additionally, Providers who were unable to attend the Oct. 19 webinar about ordering pediatric COVID-19 vaccine can view the presentation COVID-19 Vaccine: Pediatric Vaccine Overview and How to Order Doses Through VOMS.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Earlier this year, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced the selection of seven managed care organizations (MCOs) who will partner with the Department to provide Medicaid Services. The seven MCOs are: AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio, Inc.; Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Buckeye Community Health Plan; CareSource Ohio, Inc.; Humana Health Plan of Ohio, Inc.; Molina Healthcare of Ohio, Inc; and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio, Inc. Providers who are interested in contracting with them are encouraged to contact them. Contact information for the MCOs can be found on the Resources for Providers webpage of the next generation website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Department of Health has issued two requests to pharmacies. The first asks that pharmacies review its list of participating vaccination providers and make changes if needed. The list is being shared with businesses to encourage them to contact a participating local provider to conduct onsite vaccination clinics. ODH is also asking pharmacies to fill out a survey related to children’s COVID vaccines to gauge vaccine provider availability. Survey participants also have the option to, and are encouraged to share with ODH, any barriers they might face to providing those vaccination opportunities to younger children, as well as any supports that could make vaccinating younger children more feasible.
Also in Ohio, earlier this year, ODM announced the selection of seven managed care organizations (MCOs) who will partner with the Department to evolve the delivery of managed care services for its more than 3 million members and thousands of medical providers. The seven MCOs selected for the next generation managed care program are:
Providers who are interested in contracting with Ohio Medicaid’s next generation MCOs are encouraged to contact the MCOs. Contact information for the MCOs can be found on the Resources for Providers webpage of the next generation website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Medicaid (OCM) announced this week that they project July 1, 2022, as the launch date on implementation of the new managed care model that includes the seven next generation managed care plans, the Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager (SPBM), Provider Network Management (PNM) module, Centralized Credentialing, and Fiscal Intermediary. More detail is available on ODM’s managed care page.
Also in Ohio, ODM has released a FAQ announcing the rates for the Managed Care Supplemental Tiered Dispensing Fee for state fiscal year 2022-23. This in in addition to the dispensing fee currently paid by the plans. Members should expect the first payment of the biennium in November 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Six NACDS members have been appointed to the 11-member Ohio Board of Pharmacy Workload Advisory Committee (PWAC), including representatives from CVS Health, Kroger, Rite Aid, Walgreen and Walmart. In April 2021, the Board of Pharmacy approved the formation of a the PWAC in response to the release of a July 2020 workload survey conducted by the Board. The purpose of the advisory committee is to promote patient safety and compliance with Ohio laws and rules by analyzing survey and other data and make recommendations to the Board to address pharmacist working conditions. PWAC recommendations may include changes to Board of Pharmacy rules as well as statutory changes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy announced their appointments to the Pharmacy Workforce Advisory Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
On June 30, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed HB 110, the biennial state budget bill. Included in the bill is a total of $15 million ($5,000,000 in Fiscal Year 2022 and $10,150,000 in Fiscal Year 2023) to continue funding for the Medicaid managed care pharmacy supplemental dispensing fees.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
HB 193, legislation requiring electronic prescribing for Schedule II controlled substances, has been amended and passed unanimously by the House of Representatives. The amendment added language from NACDS’ model legislation that would hold pharmacies harmless when filling legitimate non-electronic prescriptions. The amendment was a result of joint advocacy by NACDS and the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants to align the bill with our model language and the Medicare law. Further action in the Senate is expected in the fall.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
This week the full Senate passed their budget bill by a party-line vote. The passed version appropriates $5 million for Fiscal Year 2022 and $10.15 million for Fiscal Year 2023, plus Federal Medical Assistance Percentages to fund the Managed Care Supplemental Dispensing Fee. NACDS worked in partnership with the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants to advocate that funding for this program continue. It is not included in the competing versions of the budget as proposed by the Governor and the House. We will continue to champion this line item as budget negotiations continue over the next two weeks.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.