The Beacon Center of Tennessee’s newest report, “A Dose of Free Market Medicine,” compares Tennessee’s laws and regulations around pharmacists to recent reforms in other states, including Florida, Iowa, Kansas and Idaho. By enacting similar reforms, Tennessee policymakers can expand access to health care.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Pharmacy technicians who have taken the American Pharmacists Association immunization certificate training program may notice that certificates are set to expire three years after course completion. The Board of Pharmacy has yet to approve rules allowing pharmacy technicians to vaccinate. Under current authority through the PREP Act, technicians must complete two hours of immunization-related continuing education in the licensing period but do not need to retake an immunization training course.
Also in Tennessee, the Department of Health (TDH) issued a news release reminding Tennesseans to “protect themselves and their loved ones against the worst symptoms of viral respiratory illnesses, from the common cold to influenza.” TDH urges the public to consult trusted health providers to find the best vaccination options.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
On January 17, the Pharmacy Podcast Network announced the winners of the 2023 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy to celebrate “professionals whose thoughts, actions, accomplishments and leadership have helped solve clinical, customer service and financial problems.” Congratulations to TPA Immediate Past President Jay Phipps for earning the number two spot on the list!
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Tennessee Nonresidential Buprenorphine Treatment Guidelines, providing details about medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in Tennessee, were recently updated following review by the Commissioners of TDMHSAS (Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services) and TDH (Department of Health).
Also in Tennessee, the Department of Health released an article, “Racial Disparities in Adolescent Flu Immunization Rates,” highlighting public health concerns as factors such as socioeconomic status, limited access to health care, mistrust of medical systems and systemic barriers disproportionately affect minority communities and their immunization coverage rates.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
On December 5, Belmont University will host a free, live webinar providing a one-hour Board of Pharmacy update from 6:30-7:30 pm CT. All pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Tennessee are welcome to register.
Also in Tennessee, TennCare recently released a notice regarding changes to the TennCare pharmacy program, specifically to the morphine milligram equivalent (MME), which will become effective January 1, 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
TennCare’s updated dispensing fees took effect on November 1. TPA (Tennessee Pharmacists Association) is interested in collecting feedback on whether your pharmacy is receiving the updated dispensing fees from TennCare and other obligated payors. Please reach out to olivia@tnpharm.org with any feedback or questions
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Effective November 1, BD is the sole preferred manufacturer of insulin syringes and pen needles. Please refer to the OTC list for a list of covered NDCs. The updated OTC list, including covered NDCs, was posted to the Optum Rx TennCare website on November 1, 2023. Please refer to the November Provider Notice and contact TNRxEducation@optum.com with any questions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
To assist prescribers and providers, prior authorization (PA) requirements can be bypassed for certain medications when specific medical conditions exist. Those specific medications and diagnoses can be found here. Prescribers are encouraged to include the applicable diagnosis code on written prescriptions for inclusion on the electronic pharmacy claim. The submitted claim should include a Diagnosis Code Qualifier (Field # 492-WE) of “02,” indicating ICD-10, as well as the appropriate Diagnosis Code (Field # 424-DO).
If you have any questions, contact the OptumRx Pharmacy Supports Center at 866-434-5520 or tnrxeducation@optum.com.
Also in Tennessee, the October 31 Drug Utilization Committee (DUR) Board meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Please Click Here or Phone number: +1 952-222-7450 Phone Conference ID: 857 579 147#
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
To assist prescribers and providers, prior authorization (PA) requirements can be bypassed for certain medications when specific medical conditions exist. Those specific medications and diagnoses can be found here. Prescribers are encouraged to include the applicable diagnosis code on written prescriptions for inclusion on the electronic pharmacy claim. The submitted claim should include a Diagnosis Code Qualifier (Field # 492-WE) of “02,” indicating ICD-10, as well as the appropriate Diagnosis Code (Field # 424-DO). If you have any questions, contact the OptumRx Pharmacy Supports Center at 866-434-5520 or tnrxeducation@optum.com
Also in Tennessee, TennCare held a webinar on the results of the recent Cost of Dispensing survey. During this event, TennCare disclosed the increased, updated professional dispensing fees (PDFs) applicable to all pharmacies within the TennCare Pharmacy network. Also, beginning November 1, 2023, pharmacies that have not responded to three or more TennCare surveys in the past will have their PDF set at $5.00. Based on the findings, the dispensing fees will be as follows:
Ambulatory
Specialty
Other
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.