Gov. Henry McMaster (R) declared a State of Emergency in South Carolina ahead of the impacts of Hurricane Idalia.

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

Due to recently enacted legislation, South Carolina retailers who sell tobacco products must notify the Department of Revenue (SCDOR) by August 14, 2023. The legislation, signed into law May 16, updates the definition of “tobacco products” to include cigarettes, products made of tobacco, electronic smoking devices, e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pens, e-hookah, e-liquid and tobacco items that may or may not contain nicotine. For more information on the definitions of tobacco products, see SC Code Section 16-17-501.

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

The Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) consistently offers free training to prospective and enrolled Healthy Connections Medicaid providers. Many of these courses are available virtually. Information about the upcoming Healthy Connections Medicaid eLearning trainings for summer 2023 is listed here. These recurring virtual workshops cover a variety of topics including training on Medicaid basics, how to submit claims using the web-based tool and third-party liability (TPL). To register for a workshop, please visit the Medicaid eLearning site, www.medicaidelearning.com, or call (888) 289-0709 and select option 1. Additional training resources for providers are also available online through the Medicaid eLearning site. 

Also in South Carolina, on July 18, 2023, CVS Pharmacy reached out to the Medical University of South Carolina to authenticate a hardcopy prescription for Promethazine DM (in a 473 ml bottle) and Tessalon Perles. The medical provider listed on the prescription was Dr. Chitra Lal. During the verification process, concerns were raised regarding the signature on the prescription. It was observed that the signature was not a conventional ‘wet’ signature and appeared to deviate from Dr. Lal’s usual signature style. This discrepancy prompted a deeper investigation into the matter. Upon further examination, it was established that the prescription in question was a forgery. Rx verification should be requested by calling 864.255.5638. 

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

A phoned-in prescription for promethazine/dextromethorphan was called into CVS, Lancaster, SC by an unknown person stating their identity as Dr. Allen Glimerm with Prisma Health Urgent Care, Greer, SC. This physician is no longer with this clinic. Rx was not called by the physician or any other authorized representative. Rx verification should be requested by calling 864.255.5638.  

Also in South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will operate on an updated schedule for Healthy Connections Medicaid claims submission and payments to accommodate the Fourth of July holiday. Friday, June 30 at 5 p.m. is the deadline to submit claims for payments scheduled for Friday, July 7. Payments will be made on Monday, July 3. Electronic remittance advice will be available Thursday, July 6. Payments will be dated Friday, July 7, as usual. The schedule will return to a normal payment cycle on Friday, July 7. 

Any questions or concerns regarding this bulletin should be directed to the Provider Service Center (PSC) at (888) 289-0709. The PSC’s hours of operation are 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday. The PSC will be closed Tuesday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

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

On May 16, Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed into law NACDS’ priority PBM reform legislation Senate Bill 520. The measure takes effect January 1, 2024; however, the Department of Insurance is prohibited from performing audits of PBMs before January 1, 2025. South Carolina’s regular legislative session has adjourned Sine Die; however, Governor McMaster has called the legislature back into special session to discuss abortion legislation. 

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

Brian Clark, a South Carolina pharmacist with experience in a broad range of pharmacy roles as well as service in state and national professional associations, has been named chief executive officer of the South Carolina Pharmacy Association effective April 1. Clark, director of operations at Riley’s Drugs in Lexington, SC, will lead the association that serves as the public face and voice of all sectors of the state’s pharmacy community, from students and technicians to pharmacists.

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

Effective for dates of service on or after March 1, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will discontinue the hemophilia program arrangement with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). Factor services may be provided by any fee-for-service (FFS) enrolled pharmacy provider. Pharmacy reimbursement utilizes the standard basis of payment for the FFS pharmacy benefit at the lowest of:

• The actual acquisition cost (AAC) plus a professional dispensing fee (PDF) of $10.50; 
• The states’ maximum allowable cost plus a PDF of $10.50; or, 
• The usual and customary charges to the public. 

Providers rendering care to Healthy Connections Medicaid members enrolled in FFS Medicaid should direct any questions related to this transition to the Magellan Medicaid Administration call center at (866) 254-1669. The call center is available 24 hours per day. For more information, click here.  

Also in South Carolina, a stolen prescription pad alert has been issued. Please be very cognizant of any controlled substance prescriptions from Kraemer Women’s Care. Please call (803)-956-4018 to verify a prescription before filling.  

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

After evaluating utilization data and consulting with the state’s managed care organizations (MCOs), the provider community and other stakeholders, SCDHHS (South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services) is announcing updates to the policy changes it previously issued. The updates announced in this bulletin are specific to the temporary flexibilities that were created during the COVID-19 PHE (Public Health Emergency) and do not impact other agency policies that existed prior to the PHE unless specifically indicated. The changes announced today will take effect once the current federal PHE has expired. While the exact end-date is not yet known, providers are advised that the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services previously announced that the federal PHE will remain in effect until at least April 11. 

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

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the enrollment application fee amount for calendar year 2023 will be $688. This fee is required by CMS with any applicable Healthy Connections Medicaid provider enrollment application.  

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will collect the application fee before executing a provider agreement. The fee applies to initial enrollment, reactivation, revalidation, or addition of a new practice location. SCDHHS has contracted with the SC.gov Enterprise Payment System to facilitate collection of the application fee. Payments may be made by debit, credit, or e-check. Paper checks will not be accepted. More information on payment options can be found by visiting www.scdhhs.gov/provider and selecting, “Online Application Fee Payment.”  

The provider enrollment application fee is only applicable to providers CMS has identified as institutional providers. South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid recognizes and enrolls the following institutional providers: Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Community Mental Health Centers, Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities, Durable Medical Equipment, End Stage Renal Disease Facilities, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Home Health Agencies, Hospice, Hospitals, Independent Clinical Laboratories, Pharmacies, Skilled Nursing Facilities and Rural Health Clinics. For more information, please see the Bulletin.  

Also in South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) is announcing an end to the federally approved Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments (supplements) to all South Carolina households effective January 31. Since March 2020, the assignment of emergency SNAP allotments (supplements) has brought all authorized households up to the maximum benefit allotment, based on household size. 

January 2023 has been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services as South Carolina’s “transition” month, prior to going back to normal SNAP benefit allotments for all households. 

Effective February 1, all SNAP households will go back to receiving their regular monthly benefit amount.

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