Gov. Henry McMaster (R) announced that renewal deadlines for several professional licenses administered through the SC Dept of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) will be extended until September 30, 2020.  This includes licenses and permits issued by the SC Board of Pharmacy and further extends the previous deadline extensions provided in the Board Order issued March 23rd. 

Also in South Carolina... NACDS participated in a South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) webinar which updated Healthy Connections Medicaid providers on the agency's response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). During the webinar, SCDHHS leadership provided a brief overview of actions the agency has already taken to provide additional flexibilities to providers and Healthy Connections Medicaid members and discussed additional ongoing and planned efforts as well as addressed questions submitted by providers. A copy of the presentation can be found here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The SC Board of Pharmacy and SC Board of Medical Examiners issued Joint Guidance regarding the prescribing and dispensing of Hydroxychloroquine, Chloroquine, and Azithromycin. Click here to view this order.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

COVID-19 Updates from the SC Board of Pharmacy. 

• Order Expanding Certain Deadlines
  This Order expands various licensure and registration deadlines, including pharmacist, pharmacist technician, facility permits, CPR certification, and continuing education. 
• Order Providing Temporary Authorization for Use of Automated Pharmacy Pickup Kiosks
  This Order allows permittees to utilize automated pharmacy pickup kiosks without first appearing before the Practice and Technology Committee or Board. 
• Order Establishing Safe Harbor for Preparation of Pharmaceutical Products in Light of National GARB/PPE Shortage
  This Order establishes the safe harbor provisions for permittees facing a shortage of garb and/or PPE. 

For previous Board of Pharmacy Orders related to COVID-19 and additional information, click here. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is beginning 2020 provider revalidation. In the bulletin dated April 20, 2015, providers were informed their enrollment information must be revalidated, per the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). To avoid risk of termination in the Healthy Connections Medicaid program, impacted providers must complete and submit an enrollment application 30 days from the date of their official revalidation notification letter. Providers should NOT begin the revalidation process until they receive notification. The notification contains pertinent information needed to start and complete the revalidation process.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

H.4663: Influenza Vaccinations was amended and passed out of the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Subcommittee, favorably.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Department of Health and Human Services will operate on an updated schedule for Healthy Connections Medicaid claims submission and payments for one week in November 2019 to accommodate the Thanksgiving holiday. Due to this holiday schedule, claims must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23 to be included with the payment scheduled for Friday, November 29. Payments will run on Monday, November 25 and electronic remittance advices will be available on Tuesday, November 26. Payments will be dated Friday, November 29, as usual. Please refer any questions or concerns regarding this alert to the Provider Service Center at (888) 289-0709.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is beginning 2019 provider revalidation. In the bulletin dated April 20, 2015, providers were informed their enrollment information must be revalidated, per the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). To avoid risk of termination in the SCDHHS Healthy Connections Medicaid program, impacted providers must complete and submit an enrollment application 30 days from the date of their official revalidation notification letter. Providers should not begin the revalidation process until they receive notification. The notification contains pertinent information needed to start and complete the revalidation process.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will co-sponsor provider and facility training with Keystone Peer Review Organization (KEPRO), the SCDHHS’ quality improvement organization. The annual quality improvement training includes requirements, updates and a review of the process and procedures for prior authorization. The online training sessions will be held Tuesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 16, at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Registration is not required. For questions about the KEPRO training, providers may contact KEPRO at 855-326-5219 or by email.