The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has invited pharmacy stakeholders to participate in a webinar on October 30 regarding the upcoming implementation of a system to reimburse pharmacies for clinical services as mandated by the passage of HB (House Bill) 1538 of 2023. DMAS also released the presentation from the previous workgroup meeting. DMAS intends to reimburse pharmacies for all the services added to pharmacy scope of practice over the last several legislative sessions, including immunizations and test & treat. DMAS is specifically interested in guidance from pharmacies as they build the claims system. NACDS suggests that members share the invite with staff with expertise in this area.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy issued the following notice reminding pharmacy that the emergency rules on Workplace Conditions were effective September 29:

The Virginia Board of Pharmacy emergency regulations regarding pharmacy working conditions became effective today, September 29, 2023. All are strongly encouraged to read these important regulations addressing work environment requirements for pharmacy personnel that protect the health, safety, and welfare of patients. The regulations were adopted pursuant to HB 1324 introduced by Delegate Keith Hodges and passed by the 2022 General Assembly. The emergency regulations remain in effect until March 28, 2025. A public comment period will open on October 23, 2023, and remain open through November 22, 2023. Additional information regarding the status of the emergency regulations and public comment period may be found on Virginia Regulatory Town Hall. The Staffing Requests or Concerns Form referenced in the regulations will remain accessible on the Board’s website under Forms and Applications. Please review the requirements related to use of the form in the emergency regulations and listed at the top of the form.

Also in Virginia, the Department of Medicaid Services (DMAS) recently held a stakeholder call to discuss the implementation of SB 1538 of 2023, which requires pharmacy reimbursement for services. They are currently working on system changes to allow billing for the existing pharmacy testing and/or treatment protocols and our understanding is that they intend to further expand it to cover the protocols for flu, strep, COVID and UTI that were included in SB 948 of 2023 upon final approval of the rule. For more details, see the Enrolling Pharmacists as Providers slide deck.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy announced that due to the expiration of the federal public health emergency (PHE) and pursuant to the third enactment clause of HB 1323, routine childhood vaccines may be administered under the Board of Pharmacy (BOP) Vaccine Statewide Protocol for Persons Ages Three (3) through Seventeen (17). HB 1323 of 2022 made pharmacists’ authority to provide vaccines under the PREP Act permanent in the Commonwealth. 

Also in Virginia, the Department of Health sent a communication to licensees to clarify that the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Agreement is still in effect and requires that all organizations and providers participating in the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program continue to abide by its terms until the transition to commercialization is complete. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy has released the agenda for the June 13 meeting.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy has posted the agenda for the May 23 Regulation Committee. Note the agenda includes a chart of regulations in progress, including the “working environment” regulations that are currently in the Governor’s office.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy issued a document outlining pharmacy’s authority to vaccine and perform COVID testing post the May 11 expiration of the PHE (public health emergency). Notably, the document includes a link to an updated statewide protocol to allow pharmacists and technicians to vaccinate children aged three years and older due to the passage of HB 1323 in 2022.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed SB 1538 into law. This bill, sponsored by Senator Pillion (R), requires the Department of Medical Assistance Services to provide reimbursement when the services provided for by the state plan for medical assistance services are services by a pharmacist, pharmacy technician or pharmacy intern (i) performed under the terms of a collaborative agreement as defined in relevant law and consistent with the terms of a managed care contractor provider contract or the state plan or (ii) related to services and treatment in accordance with relevant law. NACDS supported the efforts of the Virginia Association of Chain Drug Stores and the Virginia Pharmacists Association as it moved through the process.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Pharmacy made tremendous advances in the Commonwealth in the 2023 Regular Legislative Session that will dramatically improve patient care and advance practice. HB 2274, allowing pharmacists to test and treat for flu, COVID, strep and UTIs (urinary tract infections) under a statewide Board of Pharmacy protocol, is on Governor’s desk for signing, along with its companion, SB 948. The bills are the final piece in updating Virginia’s law to match the PREP Act. Notably, the Legislature also passed SB 1538 to clarify that Medicaid must reimburse for all the pharmacy-based services currently authorized in the Commonwealth. The bill applies to both Fee-for–Service and Managed Care. NACDS thanks the Virginia Association of Chain Drug Stores (VACDS), the Virginia Pharmacists Association (VPhA) and members for their tremendous efforts on the ground during this short session. NACDS will continue to update members as the bill signing process unfolds.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

HB 2274, a bill that would allow pharmacists to test and treat for flu, COVID, strep and UTIs (urinary tract infections) under a statewide Board of Pharmacy protocol, is on Governor’s desk for signing. Its companion, SB 948, was conformed to the house bill and is now on the House Floor after passing the Senate unanimously. NACDS continues to collaborate with members and in-state partners to get these bills across the finish line. They are the final piece in updating Virginia’s law to match the PREP Act. NACDS is also advocating for SB 1538, which would strengthen the Medicaid reimbursement provisions for pharmacy-based services. This bill passed the Senate and will now be heard in the House.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.