Gov. Phil Scot (R) signed NACDS priority legislation H.588 on June 8 to expand pharmacist test and treat authority across four conditions – Flu, Strep, COVID and HIV. The legislation received significant support from NACDS and its membership operating in the state and was widely endorsed by numerous in-state health groups and the Vermont Department of Health Access (DVHA). DVHA made recent references to the value of pharmacist test and treat services in its rollout of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) grants. 

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

The Legislature passed H.588 on May 19 to expand pharmacist test and treat authority across three conditions – Flu, Strep and COVID. Gov. Phil Scott (R) is expected to sign the bill into law as early as next week. The legislation received significant support from NACDS and its membership operating in Vermont and was widely endorsed by numerous in-state health groups and the Vermont Department of Health Access (DVHA). DVHA has made recent references to the value of pharmacist test and treat services in its rollout of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) grants. 

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

The Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) notified Medicaid-enrolled pharmacies that on April 29 Surescripts connectivity was re-established. DVHA indicated that providers who use electronic prescribing once again have access to Vermont Medicaid data to assist them in managing prescriptions for Medicaid members more efficiently.  

Information that DVHA made available through prescribers' electronic health record software vendors includes:  

• Member's outpatient pharmacy claims history
• Member's Medicaid eligibility/enrollment status 
• The preferred status of prescribed drugs on the Medicaid Preferred Drug list 
• Indication of a prior authorization requirement for a prescribed drug 

 Additional questions may be directed, via email, to VTOps@Optum.com  

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

Gov. Phil Scott (R) signed H.545 on March 24, effectively delinking vaccine administration authority and coverage of vaccines from ACIP. The new law requires plans to cover vaccines that are recommended by the Commissioner of Health, who shall consider vaccine recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American College of Physicians (ACP), ACIP and other organizations the Commissioner may deem necessary. During the bill singing, Governor Scott stated, “We’ve seen the value in using science and data when making decisions about the health of Vermonters. H.545 establishes a process that allows us to continue this practice, by enabling the Vermont Department of Health to make vaccine and immunization recommendations based on available science and data. Getting vaccinated is the best way for us to protect ourselves and others, and this bill helps make sure vaccines remain accessible and affordable in Vermont.”

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

NACDS is providing the following information regarding updates and opportunities in the state. 

• A news article that announced the state's Rural Health Transformation (RHT) award mentioned a project manager for the program. The job has been posted and the application deadline is February 1. 

• Please visit the Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS) H.R. 1/Rural Health Transformation Fund webpage for updates and information.  

• For questions and comments, email  ahs.rht@vermont.gov. 

Also in Vermont, the state posted its application online. Please note specific mention of pharmacy related to expanded pharmacists' scope to include test-to-treat in more scenarios (i.e., COVID-19, flu, strep throat) on page 40. Additionally, on page 40, it is noted that changes are required to current statute to support and accommodate broad expansion of test-to-treat in pharmacies. 

Also in Vermont, Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program Provider and Community Partner Online Listening Session will be held on February 2 at 1:00 pm-2:00 pm EST. Please register online in advance.  

Finally in Vermont, the AHS RHT Program team has created a listserv for interested parties to enroll for information about the program. NACDS encourages interested members to join this listserv to gain access to important insights and information. Please note once you subscribe to the listserv, you will receive an email asking you to "confirm" your registration. You must complete this two-step process to be added to the listserv. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

This week, the Board of Pharmacy emailed the following to all state-licensed pharmacies. The revised Vermont Pharmacy Administrative Rules were recently approved and become effective February 1. The Office of Professional Regulation's outreach regarding key changes and details is forthcoming and will include timelines for compliance-readiness with certain, significant licensing-related and other changes. Please see Rule 4-3(b)(3) (page 11), regarding pharmacy technician training program completion. If your pharmacy provides employer-based training, please send it to Carrie Phillips for review and approval, ahead of February 1. Please see Rule 4-4 for the standards that such programs must include. If you have questions, please contact Carrie Phillips, Executive Officer, via email (carrie.phillips@vermont.gov) or by phone at 802-828-5032.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy held its regularly scheduled meeting on September 24. The agenda included a discussion of the September 17 meeting to approve a revision of the State Pharmacist Prescribing Protocol for COVID 19 and Influenza Vaccines Ages 5 and Up. The Prescribing Protocol includes:

• The purpose of updating this protocol is to remove requirements that COVID vaccines are only administered based on ACIP recommendation. Essentially removing the tie to ACIP.
• Technicians will still be able to administer vaccines

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

The Board of Pharmacy met in a special meeting on September 17 to approve a revision of the State Pharmacist Prescribing Protocol for COVID 19 and Influenza Vaccines Ages 5 and Up. 

• The Purpose of updating this protocol is to remove requirements that COVID vaccines are only administered based on ACIP recommendation. Essentially removing the tie to ACIP.  

• Technicians will still be able to administer vaccines 

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

On June 23, Vermont Medicaid shared the following notice of help desk closure for the July 4 holiday:  

Dear Vermont Medicaid Pharmacy Providers, 

In observance of Independence Day, the Vermont Optum PA Helpdesk (formerly Change Healthcare) will be closed on July 4. 

If you have an emergency, please contact our helpdesk using our standard after-hours number, 1-844-679-5362 or 1-844-679-5363. Your call will be returned within 15 minutes. 

From all of us at Optum, please have a safe and enjoyable holiday. 

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.