Acting Secretary of Health Beam issued an order aimed at increasing providers’ COVID vaccine distribution last week. The order requires providers to set up appointment call centers and meet percentage requirements of doses administered based on doses received. A Frequently Asked Questions document can be found here and acting Secretary Beam’s press conference announcing the order can be viewed here.

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

The Department of State issued a waiver allowing pharmacists to provide COVID-19 vaccines to 16- and 17-year-old adolescents. More information can be found on the link above.

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

Gov. Wolf (D) has granted a waiver to broaden eligible supervisors of pharmacy interns administering COVID–19 vaccines to include other licensed and trained healthcare professionals whose current scope of practice allows them to immunize. Specifically, appropriate supervisors include other licensed healthcare professionals who are trained in the administration of immunizations and emergency care of patients. The waiver applies solely to COVID-19 vaccines and shall be valid for the duration of the Governor’s disaster emergency declaration plus an additional 90 days thereafter unless terminated sooner.

Also in Pennsylvania. At NACDS’ request, a State Interagency call was held with staff from the Pennsylvania Medicaid, and the Departments of Insurance, State, and Health to discuss barriers pharmacies are experiencing in billing for administration fees for COVID-19 vaccines. As a result, Medicaid verbally announced a modification of current guidance for billing of COVID-19 vaccines by pharmacies. For Fee For Service, claims must still be processed on the medical side, however, they are now accepting pharmacist NPIs in the ordering provider field. Additionally, Medicaid stated that all eight MCOs are billing through the patient’s pharmacy benefit and will accept the pharmacist NPI in the prescriber ID field. If the claim is rejected because the NPI is not on file, the NCPDP override code 42 can be used (SCC=42).

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

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) announced that he is nominating Alison Beam to be the next Secretary of Health, with the departure of Dr. Rachel Levine to work in the Biden Administration. Prior to her nomination as the Secretary of Health, Ms. Beam served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Tom Wolf. She also previously served as the Chief of Staff to the Insurance Commissioner. In that capacity, Alison guided interactions with regulators, legislators, and national trade associations and developed and implemented internal response strategies.

Also in Pennsylvania. With Sec. Levine’s departure, Pennsylvania Acting Physician General Wendy Braund has issued an updated standing order for Naloxone for the general public, effective January 23. Please visit the above link for more information.

Lastly in Pennsylvania. Following the receipt of a letter NACDS cosigned with the PA Pharmacy Coalition, the Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a revised Medical Assistance Bulletin announcing they will pay the Medicare rate for the COVID-19 administration fees retroactive to December 1. Claims do not need to be resubmitted. The Bulletin also clarified that the pharmacy NPI should be in the “billing and rendering provider” field; however, they still require an MA-enrolled prescriber’s NPI in the “referring prescriber” field. Additionally, they’ve added CPT codes for the future AstraZeneca vaccine.

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

The PACE Prescription Drug Program has issued a bulletin reminding providers of the process to participate in their Medication Synchronization Program. Additionally, the Program Director has requested feedback from pharmacies on how the current process could be improved to increase participation, as they are considering modifications. Please provide comments to jmccormack@nacds.org by close of business on January 18, 2021. If you would like to provide your recommendations directly, please email them to ProviderEnrollmentCorr@magellanhealth.com

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

Several bills addressing priority issues in both NACDS’ Scope of Practice and Reimbursement Campaigns were signed into law by Gov. Wolf (D) in the last days of the 2019-2020 Legislative Session. NACDS was instrumental in the passage of these bills, partnering with PACDS and PPA:

• HB 770 became law on November 30 as Act 140 of 2020. Effective immediately, it exempts pharmacies from the antiquated requirement in PA Clinical Lab Act that a “lab supervisor” have past employment in a lab to qualify for state approval to conduct COVID, flu, and strep CLIA-waived testing. In effect, it removes the long-standing barrier to pharmacies ordering and performing end-to-end COVID, flu, and strep tests. The bill also includes language requiring pharmacy technicians to be registered with the Board of Pharmacy and includes language permanently allowing technicians to perform remote data entry. The BOP has 18 months to promulgate regulations around technician registration, however, the remote data entry provision was effective November 30. Note: As members apply to the PA DOH for CLIA-waived approval to conduct these tests, please let us know the outcome.
• HB 941, a PBM pricing transparency bill that includes a prohibition on clawbacks and requires transparency around transmission fees. It also orders a Legislative Budget and Finance Committee study to analyze pricing and reimbursement under the managed care program. Now Act 120 takes effect 60 days from November 25.
• HB 943 prohibits gag clauses in contracts with PBMs. It was effective upon signing.

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

A bill that includes several provisions related to pharmacy practice has passed the Senate unanimously and is in the House of Representatives for consideration. HB 770, sponsored by Rep. Tony DeLuca (D) originally requiring the registration of pharmacy technicians, was amended to include provisions:

• Waiving the state Clinical Laboratory Act lab employment requirement to allow pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19, strep, and influenza tests
• Allowing pharmacy technicians to perform remote data entry

NACDS will continue working with members and in-state partners over the next several weeks to overcome concerns raised by the medical community and Gov. Wolf (D). NACDS will be asking members to engage in advocacy communication efforts.

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