Legislature to Hold Current Florida Medicaid Reimbursement Federal Government to Expand the FUL List
Controlled Substance Monitoring Program Bills Moving Forward Florida House and Senate Endorsing New Pharmacy School at USF Special Compounding Program Offered at FPA Annual Meeting
DMEPOS Providers Required to Post Surety Bond By October 2, 2009
Installation of President Elect Ed Hamilton Pending at APhA Convention
March Journal Posted on the FPA Website
|
Legislature to Hold Current Florida Medicaid Reimbursement
Declining state revenues have forced Florida to examine its expenditures. In monitoring the Medicaid program the FPA has determined that the draft budget that is working its way through the appropriations committees does not have reductions for Medicaid pharmacy providers. You may recall that we reported in an earlier Stat News that Appropriations committees were provided suggested reductions for pharmacy providers by the Agency for Health Care Administration that dropped ingredient cost reimbursement by 2%. From our review it appears that the current reimbursement for pharmacy will not change during this session. It is likely that stimulus funds were tapped to close some of the funding shortages.
During a House Health Care Appropriations Committee FPA member and independent pharmacy owner Dave Wright testified on pharmacy reimbursement issues. This was an open hearing where individuals from various stakeholder groups were granted an opportunity to air their concerns over pending budget reductions. It was very clear that the committee was interested in what Dave had to say. They asked for budget reduction ideas and learned much from Dave's description of how pharmacies were reimbursed. They seemed particularly interested in what PBM's were doing to pharmacy and whether co-pays would help. They knew about the effect that "voluntary" copays in the Medicaid program would have on pharmacy providers. Dave suggested that if they go to co-pays that there should be none on generics. The committee believes that they could find a way around CMS's voluntary copay issue by allowing the pharmacy to refuse service after the "first" request to waive the copay.
The committee also asked about prompt pay from HMO's and what other things that pharmacy could bring to the table. Dave suggested that current laws that prohibit pharmacies from doing "therapeutic interchange" is driving up costs. He did point to brand named prescription drug manufacturers as a cost problem in particular for Florida Medicaid.
Dave's testimony was to put it mildly "well" received by the committee. It was very clear that they are interested in more of these public discussions from stakeholders. It is likely that a pharmacy patient providing additional comment would have been a home run. Dave drove all the way to Tallahassee and returned back to Fort Pierce after his presentation.
The legislative session however is still not over so we will continue to monitor until the appropriations bills are signed by Governor Crist.
Federal Government to Expand FUL List
The Florida Pharmacy Association has learned that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released a new federal upper limit (FUL) list on multiple source drugs. This is the list that Medicaid programs use to set the maximum allowable cost for certain prescription drugs. To view the list go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Reimbursement/. In some cases medications on the list are not available in certain markets. If you are finding this to be the case please let us know.
Controlled Substance Monitoring Program Bills Moving Forward
Senate Bill 462 and House Bill 897 are moving towards passage. These bills if signed into law would require pharmacies and dispensing practitioners to report to the State of Florida controlled substance prescriptions dispensed. A significant number of amendments have been placed on the Senate version of the bill that the FPA is monitoring. It is possible that the House version may take on some of the Senate language. Public records exemption bills are also traveling with the legislation. These companion bills are designed to protect health records from being routinely released by the state. The FPA is working with both bill sponsors on comfort language to ensure that providers are not unduly burdened by the program's costs or administrative requirements.
Florida House and Senate Endorsing New Pharmacy School at USF
House Bill 75 and Senate Bill 1120 have been filed to create a new pharmacy school at the University of South Florida in Hillsborough County. Both bills are moving through various House and Senate committees towards passage.
Special Compounding Program Offered at FPA Annual Meeting and Convention
On July 8th, 2009 during the Florida Pharmacy Association Annual Meeting & Convention to be held at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida there will be a 6 hr. C.E. program entitled “Compounding Conference’. The program is a convention special conference which features Florida compounding pharmacists like Sam Pratt, BPharm, FIACP and Paul Franck, BPharm, FIACP. Also national compounding leaders like Dr. Loyd V. Allen, Ph.D. of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) and Dr. Tom Murry, PharmD, M.S. of the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB). These gentlemen recently were featured speakers at the APHA Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX. The program will also feature Lynette Perales, USP 797 specialist from Shands Hospital as well as Richard Sands, BPharm, CPh, Statewide Pharmaceutical Program Manager, who will address our Florida compounding laws & rules. This program, with the outstanding speakers and up to date information at both the national & state levels is a must for all compounding practitioners and those aspiring to provide these services in their practices. You can register with full convention registration or separately, however, if you wish to attend you should register NOW! You can register by contacting the FPA office at (850) 222‐4000 or go on line at www.pharmview.com TODAY!
DMEPOS Providers Required to Post Surety Bond by October 2, 2009
(From NCPA)
(From NCPA)
U.S. Representatives Zach Space (D-OH) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) have introduced H.R. 1970, the Preserve Patents Access to Reputable DMEPOS Providers Act of 2009. The bill exempts pharmacies from having to post surety bonds in order to provide Medicare Part B Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) to their patients.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a DMEPOS final rule that requires pharmacies to obtain a surety bond to continue selling DMEPOS by October 2, 2009. The average independent community pharmacy’s DMEPOS-generated revenue only comprises a small percentage of their gross annual sales. In fact, many independent community pharmacies percentages fall well below that threshold.
![]()
The American Pharmacists Association will be installing FPA past president at their annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Ed is past president of the Florida Pharmacy Association. This historic event will take place on Monday, April 6, 2009. The only other Floridian that we are aware of that served as president of the American Pharmacists Association was R. Q Richards. FPA leadership is currently in San Antonio to congratulate Ed in his achievement.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a DMEPOS final rule that requires pharmacies to obtain a surety bond to continue selling DMEPOS by October 2, 2009. The average independent community pharmacy’s DMEPOS-generated revenue only comprises a small percentage of their gross annual sales. In fact, many independent community pharmacies percentages fall well below that threshold.
Fourteen other medical professions are exempted from the surety bond requirement because of their state licensure, expertise and training—all qualities that pharmacists share. In rural and urban areas independent community pharmacies are often the only health care provider that provides access to health care supplies. H.R. 1970 will assure patient access to DMEPOS supplies and the consultation of their community pharmacist.
Installation of President Elect Ed Hamilton Pending at APhA Annual Convention
March Journal Posted on the FPA Website
| |
Members of the FPA are reminded that the March Journal has been published on pharmview.com. To view the journals you will need to have your member number and password on hand. Articles in this journal include the following:
|
April 18-19, 2009
Regulatory and Law Conference Reviewing laws and rules related to F.S. 465, 893, 499, 64B16 and the Code of Federal Regulations applicable to the practice of Pharmacy Also offering: 2 hours of Florida approved medication errors. Marriott Tampa Airport Tampa International Airport Tampa, Florida 33607 (813) 879-5151 Room Rate $139.00 plus tax Deadline for room reservation - March 28, 2009 (or until block is full) July 8-12, 2009
119th Annual Meeting and Convention Offering: General and consultant recertification CE (Hours TBD) Also offering: 2 hours of Florida approved medication errors Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village 500 South Legacy Trail St. Augustine, Florida 32092 Phone: (888) 740-7020 or register directly on-line through this link (use code: Florida Pharmacy Association) Room Rate $129.00 Plus Tax Deadline for room reservation - June 15, 2009 (or until block is full) - Register early as the rooms may not last!! August 9-12, 2009
26th Annual Southeastern Gatherin' Offering: General and consultant recertification CE (Hours TBD)
Also offering: 2 hours of Florida approved medication errors. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort 9300 Emerald coast Parkway Destin, Florida 32550 Phone (800) 320-8115 Room Rate: From $179.00 plus tax Deadline for room reservation - July 17, 2009 (or until block is full) September 12 - 13, 2009
Regulatory and Law Conference Reviewing laws and rules related to F.S. 465, 893, 499, 64B16 and the Code of Federal Regulations applicable to the practice of Pharmacy Offering: General and consultant recertification CE
Also offering: 2 hours of Florida approved medication errors 250 Racquet Club Road Weston, Florida 33326 Phone (954) 616-1234 Room rate: $125.00 plus tax Deadline for room reservation - August 28, 2009 (or until block is full) Pharmacist CE at SEA
Sailing September 20 - 27, 2009 Aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas Ports of Call: Port of Canaveral, Coco Cay, St. Thomas, St. Maarten and return to Port Canaveral Preferred cabins go early so make your reservations as soon as possible. Come and network with your colleagues from other states. |
|
|