The S.C. Department of Commerce, Clemson University, and the S.C. Department of Agriculture has invited members of the business community to join an educational webinar on October 12^th from 2:00-3:00 pm EST detailing the potential impacts of African Swine Fever (ASF) on the food supply chain and food security in South Carolina between the pork industry, animal health officials and private industry partners integral to the food supply chain.

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

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will reimburse for the administration of additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine consistent with the updated emergency use authorization issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More information can be found here.

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

SCDHHS offers free monthly training workshops for providers. 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. You can find a complete schedule of provider workshops here.

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

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) regularly offers free training to prospective and enrolled Healthy Connections providers. In response to the public health emergency related to coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), many of these trainings are also now available virtually. Information about an upcoming training opportunity for Fall 2021 is listed here. 

Also in South Carolina, the Practice and Technology Committee Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 10:00 am via Webex. The Committee will continue their discussion on Remote Order Processing.  

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

Effective July 1, 2021, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Program Integrity Unit (PI) announced it will resume onsite visits for provider reviews.  

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

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has informed the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) that the South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid program will participate in the Payment Error Rate Measurement (PERM) program for State Fiscal Year 2022. CMS’ PERM program was developed to measure the accuracy of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) payments made by states. Each state is reviewed once every three years. Samples of claims with paid dates of July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, will be subject to review. You can review the entire bulletin here.

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

The Board issued several emergency orders to allow for the safe and effective care of patients during an unprecedented pandemic. The Board has continually reviewed these orders and made adjustments as necessary. Effective July 1, 2021, all Board-issued emergency orders are scheduled to be rescinded. Please begin planning now. Those orders pertain to Safe Harbor regarding the reuse of personal protective equipment, pickup kiosks, and remote order entry outside of a licensed facility. Those orders can be here.

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

The Board of Pharmacy published a notice to announce the reiteration of certain emergency orders issued in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, including the suspension of the prohibition on performing remote order entry from an unpermitted site, the temporary authorization of automated pharmacy pickup kiosks, and the establishment of safe harbor provisions concerning personal protective equipment. The notice also reiterates the authorization of a one-time early refill of Schedule III, IV, and V prescriptions for valid refills, and the dispensing of Schedule II controlled substances under specified conditions.

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

NACDS virtually attended the 2021 SCRA Legislative Days Monday, March 29^th, and Tuesday, March 30^th. The legislators and state agency representatives the group heard from over two days included, Governor Henry McMaster, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, and the new Director at the SC Dept. of Health and Environmental Controls (DHEC), Dr. Edward Simmer. Governor McMaster discussed the COVID19 vaccine roll-out and his appreciation for the retail partners’ efforts. He also stated that he anticipated the current State of Emergency to continue for the foreseeable future. Senator Hutto discussed possible legislation mandating the COVID19 vaccine as well as Hate Crime legislation. Dr. Simmer is hoping for continued collaboration in addressing vaccine access.

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