Are You Having Medicaid Billing Issues?
Medicaid is making a number of changes in coverage of PPIs, Inhaled Corticosteroid/LABA, Lamictal, Seroquel, DME and narcotics as well as their changes to their billing instructions. They are also requiring dispensing of 90 day supply for certain medications. It is hard to keep up so its important to know the rules. To help you protect yourself from potential Audits, WSPA has created the WSPA Medicaid Resource Center.

DOH Health Professions Licensure Delays
The WSPA is working with the DOH to improve the communications of licensure status. For the latest on the Department of Health licensure status for Pharmacists, Technicians and Interns click here.

Washington DC is BUSY Working on Healthcare...It is TIME to be Heard!
We must contact our members of congress about these important issues. For updates on federal legislation and how to support bills that will impact pharmacy such as Healthcare Reform, AMP, DME, MTM, Funding for PGY2 Residencies, go to the WSPA LRAC Legislative Issues webpage

Participate in UW-PHSKC Emergency Messaging Study

During an emergency, what is the most effective way to contact health care providers in King County? The REACH study (Rapid Emergency Alert Communication in Health) hopes to answer this question by working with health care providers to compare the effectiveness of messages sent via fax, email or text messaging. If you have received a request in the mail about being part of this study, we hope you will enroll.The REACH study, conducted by the University of Washington and Public Health - Seattle & King County, is led by investigators Drs. Jeffrey Duchin and Janet Baseman. If you have questions about the study, please contact Debra Revere at 206.616.2728 / drevere@u.washington.edu or Hanne Thiede at 206.296.4318 or 206.263.8224 / Hanne.Thiede@kingcounty.gov

Universal Vaccine Transition
Washington's universal childhood vaccine purchase program is changing on July 1, 2009, due to budget cuts in the state budget for the 2009 - 2011 biennium that was signed by the Governor on May 19th. This communication explains the details of the changes, what resources are available to help with the transition, and asks for your continued partnership in immunizing Washington's children. More

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Pandemic Declared
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 as a result of the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. The WHO decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. WSPA H1N1 (swine) Flu News, Tools and Links

IMPORTANT: Public Health Alert - LEVEMIR Insulin Theft
FDA issued a public health alert about certain vials of stolen long-acting insulin Levemir, made by Novo Nordisk, which have reappeared and may be on pharmacy shelves or in warehouses in the U.S.  The stolen insulin vials may not have been stored and handled properly and may be dangerous for patients to use. The lot numbers that are affected are: Levemir (insulin detemir [rna origin] injection)  10ml vials : XZF0036  XZF0037  XZF0038 More.

IMPORTANT: Public Health Alert - COPAXONE Theft
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) is investigating a recent theft of the pharmaceutical Copaxone. Approximately 14 Pallets / 994 Cartons / 5,962 Packs of Copaxone (Glatiramer Acetate) 20 mg, a non-controlled substance with Batch/Lot #P53159 and an expiration date of January 2011, were stolen the week of April 20.

Great News for Patient Access!
DSHS Officially Withdraws April-June 2009 AWP Rate Cut
April 17th, 2009- After the federal court issued a temporary restraining order blocking a drastic Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement cuts, DSHS sent out a memo to pharmacies officially rescinding the rate adjustment that was announced in Memo 09-09. DSHS states that they "will take no further steps to in an attempt to implement the AWP-20% rate that was scheduled to be in effect from April 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009." The case has been dismissed and the Medicaid Rate cut will not be implemented. This is tremendous news for our Medicaid patients!

Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Council (LRAC)
Support the effort...Join LRAC! 2009 Updates for State and Federal Efforts

Important DOH Letter on Appropriate Use of Antiviral Medications
At the request of the Washington State Department of Health, the WSPA recently faxed out a letter from Dr. Maxine Hayes, MD, MPH regarding the appropriate use of antiviral medications. Please take a moment to read this important letter.

WSPA Board of Directors Names Rochon Chief Executive Officer link 

IACP Names Shafer New Executive Vice President
The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) has named Rod Shafer, R.Ph., as its new Executive Vice President. More

Federal Trade Commission Red Flags Rule Compliance by May 1, 2009
In order to protect against identity theft, the FTC issued the Red Flags Rule to be implemented May 1 2009. It has recently been brought to our attention that some pharmacies may need to comply with this rule. The “Red Flags” Rule requires many businesses and organizations to implement a written Identity Theft Prevention Program designed to detect the warning signs of identity theft in their day-to-day operations, take steps to prevent the crime, and mitigate the damage it inflicts. Pharmacies that regularly maintain patient charge accounts must develop a written "red flags program" to identify the warning signs of identity theft. More.Learn more.

Kehrer to Leave WSU College of Pharmacy
James P. Kehrer, Dean of College of Pharmacy at Washington State University, will leave his post effective Aug. 31, 2009 to be Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Alberta.

Death with Dignity Act
On March 5, 2009 the Death with Dignity Act Rules will go into effect. Within the law, there are specific criteria and procedures which must be followed to participate and we encourage pharmacists, physicians and the public to educate themselves on the law. For more information, click here.

UMP and Aetna Paying for Vaccine Administration
Uniform Medical Plan and Aetna are changing the way they accept billing for vaccines and soon pharmacies can bill for vaccines using your established pharmacy point of service software. Pharmacies will be reimbursed the following:
• Flu Vaccines $25.00, covers the cost of the vaccine, supplies, and administration
• All other covered vaccines AWP or MAC contracted rate for the vaccine product PLUS a $20 administration fee. More.

WSPA/Medicaid Audit Focus Group Get Clarifications on Medicaid Billing Instructions
The WSPA and DSHS started a Pharmacy Focus Group to address concerns about the confusion and miscommunication on the Medicaid Billing Instructions that have been identified in recent audits. The latest version of the Medicaid Billing Instructions (effective Oct 20th 2008) contains a number of clarification.  Visit the WSPA Medicaid Resource Center for tools and contact information for troubleshooting.

CMS’ Requirement for Part D FWA Training Update
Clarifications verbally conveyed on November 13, 2008 conference call between NASPA and CMS
•  Any training completed prior to January 1, 2009 will not count for the 2009 requirement. The fraud, waste and abuse training must be completed after January 1, 2009, but before December 31, 2009, and annually thereafter.
•  All persons in the pharmacy who come in contact with Part D recipients need to be trained including, but not limited to: pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and cashiers.
•  The training that is currently available on the CMS Med-Learning Network for Fraud, Waste, and Abuse IS NOT INTENTED TO SATISFY THE PART D REQUIREMENT FOR PHARMACIES (clarification on this is forthcoming from CMS)

WSPA Fraud, Waste and Abuse Resource Page 

Final Rule Issued for Patient Safety Organizations

Office of Inspector General (OIG) Exclusion List
The Office of Inspector General has created an exclusion list of entities and individuals convicted on Medicaid or Medicare Fraud. Individuals on this list are excluded from eligibility to participate in Medicare or Medicaid billing for 5 years. If any of your employees are on the list, your pharmacy cannot bill Medicaid or Medicare.More information of OIG Exclusion List.Searchable database

IRS Imposes Flexible Spending Account (FSA) IIAS Requirements Jan 1, 2009
NCPA IIAS FAQs NCPA Sept. 15, 2008 letter  More in the WSPA Owner's Academy

IRS FSA Requirement Delayed 6 Months
IRS Delay Notice
NCPA IIAS Delay Alert 

FDA Adverse Side Effect 1-800 Number Label Requirement
There is a new FDA requirement that pharmacies notify consumers about how to report side-effects to FDA, including an 800 number to use. 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. Federal Register Notice

Tamper Resistant Prescription Pad Implementation
More resources available in the WSPA TRPP Resource Center

Washington's PMP Suspended
Governor Gregoire has directed all state agencies to implement program cuts during incredibly difficult financial times.The Department of Health has decided to suspend the implementation of Prescription Monitoring Program.The program was still in its earliest stages and had no certainty of on-going funding for operation. The WSPA will continue to work with DOH and Board of Pharmacy on this program through February to ensure that pharmacists have a voice in the implementation if it is reinitiated at a later date. More on PMP. 

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If you have not renewed your WSPA membership, please join today. Sign-up today online or call us at 425-228-7171 .

WSPA Board of Director Applications
Please consider running for a WSPA Board post. See the BOD application form.