Gov. Wolf issued a revised waiver clarifying that pharmacists may administer the COVID vaccine to patients 12 years of age and above. As in previous versions of this waiver, it does not mention pharmacy technicians but does recognize the PREP act pre-emption.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
NACDS reminds members that on March 29 the new Acting Physician General Denise Johnson signed a new standing order for naloxone. All prescriptions using the standing order from former Secretary of Health Levine or former Acting Physician General Braund, and any remaining refills on those prescriptions are null and void.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Senator Judy Ward, RN, (R) has introduced SB 511. The bill is a joint NACDS/PACDS initiative that would update the state’s Pharmacy Practice Act to allow trained pharmacists, interns, and technicians to immunize the full CDC schedule to a person aged 3 and above.
Also in Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services published a bulletin announcing that the COVID vaccine reimbursement rate was increased to match the revised Medicare rate of $40 per dose, effective March 15.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
NACDS has learned that the PALS application process for the Authorization to Administer Injectables for Pharmacy Interns has been released. Interns should log into or create a PALS account and select Board of Pharmacy then “Authorization to Administer Injectables for Pharmacy Interns.” The Board is asking that pharmacy interns who previously submitted an intent to immunize also now register through this process.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Gov. Tom Wolf (D) announced that he has nominated Dr. Denise A. Johnson, M.D., FACOG, FACHE, to serve as Pennsylvania’s physician general. Dr. Johnson will serve as acting physician general until she is confirmed by the Senate. Dr. Johnson was most recently Chief Medical Officer at Meadville Medical Center. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology by the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She also serves on the Governor’s Commission for Women.
Also in Pennsylvania, the Department of Insurance (DOI) published a bulletin urging health insurers providing coverage to residents in the Commonwealth to continue exercising flexibility to make both COVID-related services and non-COVID-related services available to enrollees, including COVID testing, immunization, and telehealth.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
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.
