Maureen Manley: 2008 Northwest Pharmacy Convention Keynote Speaker
The Biology of Hope
Determination and resilience have served Maureen in her many accomplishments. As a member of the US Cycling Team she won a National Championship, set a national record, earned a silver and 2 bronze medals at National Championships, competed in 3 World Championships and won a silver medal in the 1990 World Championships. Maureen's cycling career came to an abrupt halt at the sudden onset of Multiple Sclerosis. She turned her determination and focus to a new journey, exploring ways to integrate her Mind, Body and Spirit in order to create optimal health and peace of mind. This inquiry led her to gain knowledge and understanding from a variety of fields, including: mind-body sciences, behavior sciences, faith based traditions, psychology, meditation, life coaching, and system’s theory. The application of her learning’s led her to a deeper understanding that true change and transformation originates from the inside. After completion of a Master’s Degree in Integrated Wellness, Maureen established her private practice and return to her much-loved sport of cycling. Join Maureen as she relates her experiences as a world class athlete, patient and educator to the evolving world of healthcare and the profession of pharmacy.
Survey on the Current Use of Medication Lists
The WSPA has been working on medication safety efforts in conjunction with the Washington Patient Safety Coalition (WPSC). The mission of the WPSC, www.wapatientsafety.org], is to decrease errors and improve safety for all persons receiving care in Washington. Medication errors are a major preventable contributor to injuries. Providers who do not have current and complete information about their patients' medication use, including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, vitamin, and dietary supplement products, cannot safely and effectively manage these therapies. The WPSC is seeking information regarding current practices with regard to use of medication lists in Washington. This information will assist in the development of strategies designed to increase the use of medication lists and decrease errors. The project also will support hospitals' efforts with inpatient medication reconciliation. We have designed a brief survey regarding your experience with consumers and medication lists. Please help us by taking three minutes to complete the survey. Your responses will be anonymous unless you opt to identify yourself in the final question. Surveys due by Monday May 12th. Thank you for your help. If you have any questions about this project or the survey, please contact Miriam Marcus-Smith at msmith@qualityhealth.org
ALERT: Clarification on Tamper Resistant Rx Law
There has been some confusion about which prescriptions must meet this new requirement within Washington State. DSHS HRSA issued a Numbered Memorandum 07-71 which states that “all written prescriptions for Medicaid clients must comply with federal rules for tamper resistant prescriptions. This applies to all prescriptions where Medicaid is the primary or secondary payer and includes prescriptions for over-the-counter medications. This requirement applies to Medicare Part D prescriptions.” The WSPA has confirmed with CMS that Washington State DSHS has the authority to require TRPP for any prescription which they pay any portion of the cost. Therefore, the requirement does apply to Medicare Part D Dual Eligible patients for which Medicaid is paying the co-pay NOT all Medicare Part D patients. WSPA is working with DSHS to notify prescribers of this issue. More in the WSPA TRPP Resource Center Click Here
Call for Abstracts
Pharmacy Practice Poster Session 2008
Northwest Pharmacy Convention May 30-June 1, 2008
Coeur d’Alene Resort, Idaho
You are invited to share your research, innovative programs, expertise and experience with your peers in this poster presentation format. This is an excellent opportunity to meet, share and network with colleagues throughout Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Posters presented at the Northwest Pharmacy Convention will be judged by a panel for content, presentation, and importance to the future practice of pharmacy. More
JCR Introduces Medication Reconciliation Consulting Service
(Oak Brook, Ill.— April 14, 2008) Joint Commission Resources (JCR) today announced the launch of its medication reconciliation consulting service, a new consulting product in partnership with Simpler HealthcareSM. JCR is a not-for-profit affiliate of The Joint Commission. More.
Safeway Pharmacy 0373 Named One of Outcomes® Top MTM Pharmacies in US
Outcomes® recognized chain and independent pharmacies for 2007 MTM Performance and Safeway Pharmacy 0373 in Seattle, WA, has been named one of the 8 best individual pharmacies in the country for 2007 for their MTM services to King County Employee patients. They were the top MTM pharmacy in Region 23, representing, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. As a group, the eight top pharmacies documented, on average, over $500 in Estimated Cost Avoidance per MTM service. The pharmacies provided services for patients in nine Outcomes administered programs over the course of 2007. Press Release
NPI: Are you ready for May 23 2008?
On May 23rd, 2008, your pharmacy will be required to use NPI numbers for pharmacies and prescribers in processing claims. Do you have the information you need to make the transition smoothly? WSPA and NCPDP, the leader in pharmacy standards, have a solution for you. NCPDP’s new product HCIdea™ saves you staff time, money and high levels of stress. NCPDP’s HCIdea™ LookUp product is a searchable database of over 1.3 million prescribers, with more being added all the time, and provides valuable information such as NPI numbers, DEA numbers, state license information, practice locations, phone numbers, UPIN and license numbers, Medicaid provider information, areas of specialty, and more. As a corporate member of your WSPA, you are eligible for a 50% discount on NCPDP’s HCIdea™ LookUp product. Contact WSPA for more information or go to www.HCIdeaLookUp.org and click on “watch the demo.” More.
Seattle Pharmacist Recognized for MTM Intervention
Outcomes Pharmaceutical Healthcare has recognized the efforts of Lara Andjelkovic, Pharm.D. for her MTM intervention for a King County Employee patient in their regional newsletter. A King County Outcomes MTM covered patient presented to Kelley-Ross Pharmacy in Seattle, WA with a new prescription for an antibiotic. While filling the prescription, Outcomes Personal Pharmacist, Lara Andjelkovic, realized the physician had written the prescription for too high of a dose based on the patient’s weight. The dose prescribed was double the recommended dose and may have resulted in severe side effects. The pharmacist consulted with the patient’s physician about the dose prescribed and the physician agreed a lower dose was appropriate. The patient successfully initiated the new therapy, and the pharmacist helped the patient avoid the potential for severe side effects that may have resulted in the need for emergency health care.
CMS to host Audio Conference Regarding DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation
CMS will host the second in a series of four audio conferences designed to provide accreditation guidance to suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) on April 17, 2008 from 1:00 to 2:30 EDT. They will be discussing compliance with the DMEPOS Quality Standards and the accreditation process, and will provide ample time to answer questions from the supplier audience. Presentation materials are available now. More. CMS Accreditation Deadlines for DMEPOS Suppliers More.
Mandatory Reporting Rules Adopted by DOH
The Department of Health has adopted mandatory reporting rules. This was required by SHB 2974, which revised RCW 18.130.070. The adopted rules are attached. The rules are effective thirty-one days from filing. If you have any questions, please contact Margaret Gilbert, Senior Staff Attorney, margaret.gilbert@doh.wa.gov.
Final Rule. How Do The Mandatory Reporting Rules Affect Me?
“Universal HealthCare: What Should It Be and How Do We Get It?”
When: Saturday April 26, 2008 from 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: Everett Theatre 2911 Colby Avenue, Everett, WA 98201 (directions on pdf)
Speakers:
John Geyman, M.D., Professor Emeritus,
UW School of Medicine
Grant Hendrickson, Ph.D., Former Trustee,
Group Health Cooperative
Don Howard, M.D. Ph.D., Chairman,
CellNetix
Rosemary McAuliffe,
Washington State Senator
Kathleen O’Connor, Founder and CEO,
CodeBlueNow!
WSPA Fraud, Waste and Abuse Resource Page
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires Medicare plan sponsors to have policies and procedures to identify and address fraud, waste and abuse (FWA) in the delivery of prescription drugs. CMS also requires Medicare plan providers to have a procedure in place to facilitate pharmacy associates’ fraud, waste and abuse training and education. In accordance with these CMS stipulations, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are requiring participating pharmacies to train associates in FWA. To help you, the WSPA has created the WSPA Fraud, Waste and Abuse Resource Page
WSPA Responds to NARAL Report
The Washington State Pharmacy Association is appalled by the sloppy data collection process and inaccurate conclusions about pharmacists reached in NARAL’s 2008 Emergency Contraception Access Project Report. Read WSPA's entire response and NARAL's letter to WSPA.
FDA Requiring Pharmacies to Notify Consumers About How to Report Side-Effects
There is a new FDA requirement that pharmacies notify consumers about how to report side-effects to FDA, including an 800 number to use. This is already in effect but FDA says they won't enforce it until Jan. 2009. The following text is included in the rule: "This part is not intended to apply to authorized dispensers dispensing or administering prescription drug products to inpatients in a hospital or health care facility under an order of a licensed practitioner, or as part of supervised home health care."The rule does not include a definition of "health care facility" but a nursing home would qualify. Note that prescriptions dispensed to home health care clients are also excluded. But, as usual, assisted living falls into the zone that has no federal recognition. So presumably, unless they are clients of a home health agency, prescriptions to assisted living residents will need to have this new labeling. Federal Register Notice
A Critical Date for NPI: March 1
CMS issued the January NPI message to all providers. This week begins a weekly messaging campaign for Medicare Fee-For-Service providers to raise the level of urgency as the March 1st implementation date approaches. Read the message here. Visit https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/NPIRegistryHome.do to look up provider NPIs.
Puget Sound Health Alliance Releases Landmark Community Checkup Report
Seattle, WA - January 31, 2008 To see the full Community Checkup report, go to www.WACommunityCheckup.org
New Medicaid Billing Instructions Available; Survey for Providing them Feedback
HRSA is asking for your input in a survey that will tell them how useful the Medicaid TPL/COB Chapter (Section I page 20) of their Prescription Drug Program Billing Instructions is in helping you complete billing when DSHS is secondary or when other Coverage codes are required. Please provide your feedback by answering the four questions on the TPL/COB survey at: http://www.zommerang.com/recipient/survey.zgi?p=WEB2278AY29MNE
Judge's Order Blocks the Medicaid AMP Reimbursement Final Rule
Following up on his ruling from the bench last Friday, United States District Judge Royce C. Lamberth today signed an order to define the preliminary injunction that blocks the Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The temporary injunction is the result of a motion by NACDS and the National Community Pharmacists Association. More.
Humana Medicare Part D Paying for Immunization Administration
Beginning January 1, 2008, those pharmacies that dispense and administer Medicare Part D vaccines for Humana members can be reimbursed for product and the administration. Humana does not require a separate contract with pharmacies to administer and bill for Medicare Part D vaccines, and the reimbursement for vaccine administration is $20.00 per paid claim. More.
BOP Criteria to Determine Suspicious Transactions
Effective 12/10/07, The Washington State Board of Pharmacy has adopted rules pursuant to legislation passed in 2004 requiring the board to adopt criteria to determine if a transaction for ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine was suspicious. More.
Washington DSHS Implementing New Payment System: ProviderOne
In 2008, Washington State DSHS will be implementing a modern, more efficient payment system named ProviderOne. As the first step in implementation of ProviderOne, DSHS will replace its existing Pharmacy Point of Sale system in Early 2008. A 60 day advance notice will be provided prior to implementation. More.
CMS Accreditation Deadlines for DMEPOS Suppliers More.
FDA Recalls Vaccines More.
New DEA Rule for CII Substances More.
ACA Compounding Survey More
VACCINE ALERT: Zostavax Storage and Handling More.
Reminder: New Mercury Law Limits in Vaccines Effective July 2007 More on Mercury Law.
Don't Forget DEA Annual Requirement to Self-Certify for Meth Regulation More.
WSPA's Response to the 11/9/07 Seattle Times Article on Court Ruling on Access to Plan B. Read WSPA response to Seattle Times. WSPA's Position on Patient Access to Care. Pharmacist Resources
FDA Considers Behind the Counter Availability of Certain Drugs WSPA BTC Survey FDA BTC Document APhA Summary Document
UCSF Immunization Survey Survey.
Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) Paying For Administration of Vaccine Read more.
Medicaid Billing for Vaccine Administration Read More.
Medicare Coverage of Vaccines and Vaccine Administration for Pharmacists Read more.
Medicaid Billing Clarification on Authorized Government Agencies by HRSA/DSHS Audit Division Read More.
Bill Medicaid for Professional Services and DME ONLINE! More.
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