Registration Deadline for the 2021 Virtual Fly-in
is Fast Approaching
Monday, April 12, is the registration deadline for NCPA’s 2021 Congressional Pharmacy Virtual Fly-in. Don’t miss your opportunity to Join your peers from April 20-21 to advocate for pro-pharmacy policy priorities. This year NCPA will handle scheduling of meetings and provide the virtual platform so you can share your stories about how onerous pharmacy DIR fees and network exclusion negatively impact your pharmacy and your patients and also your personal examples of the positive impact you are making during the pandemic. We will host a brief technology overview on Thursday, April 15 at 8:00 P.M. ET to familiarize participants with the online meeting platform, and the event will officially kick-off Monday, April 19 at 8:00 P.M. ET with a legislative briefing.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman
Visits Grants Pass Pharmacy
This week, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) visited Grants Pass Pharmacy, owned by NCPA President-elect Michele Belcher. Sen. Wyden observed COVID vaccines administered in the pharmacy and was reminded of the important role community pharmacies play in rural and underserved communities. Sen. Wyden was also encouraged to support pro-pharmacy initiatives, including addressing pharmacy DIR fees and Medicaid managed care spread pricing.
NCPA to New York Lawmakers: Finish What You Started
In a letter to New York Governor Cuomo (D) and Senate and Assembly leadership, NCPA urged New York to move ahead with implementation of their Medicaid pharmacy benefit carve-out – “finish what was started last year and fully implement the carve-out without delay.” New York was supposed to move the Medicaid pharmacy benefit back into Medicaid fee for service on April 1, 2021, but the implementation date was delayed. We appreciate the hard work the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York (PSSNY) has done to make this carve-out a reality.
Florida Pharmacy Association and NCPA Call
for Medicaid Reforms to Hold PBMs Accountable
In a joint op-ed on Florida Politics, Florida Pharmacy Association CEO Michael Jackson and NCPA CEO Doug Hoey urged Florida policymakers to rein in PBM abuses in the state’s Medicaid Managed Care System that are costing the state nearly $113 million. Specifically, they stated “it’s time for the legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis to hold PBMs accountable by advancing SB 1306, HB 1043, or other legislation to put an end to shady profiteering practices that distort the market and harm patients as well as the local pharmacists who care for them.”
NCPA Voices Support for Repealing Estate Tax
NCPA recently joined nearly 90 other organizations as part of the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition in supporting permanent repeal of the estate tax. In separate letters to House and Senate sponsors, the coalition thanked them for introducing the legislation and expressed that permanent repeal of the estate tax is the best solution to protect family owned businesses.
NCPA Supports Expanded Access
to Pharmacist Administered Vaccines in Texas
NCPA joined other pharmacy and patient advocacy organizations in supporting TX HB678, which would allow pharmacists to independently order and administer all vaccines to patients 3 years of age and older. This bill would expand access to preventive health care and promote the health and well-being of all Texans.
NCPA Releases Summary of MA/Part D Policy Changes
for Contract Year 2022
On March 29, 2021, NCPA released a summary of the final rule for the Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2022 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicaid Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. CMS is still considering additional rulemaking in the Part D space and NCPA will continue to advocate for policies which positively impact community pharmacy.
Holds on Medicare Fee-for-Service Claims May Affect
COVID-19 Vaccine Payment Rates
The suspension of the mandatory 2 percent sequestration payment reduction applied to all Medicare fee-for-service claims expired March 31, meaning that as of April 1, the 2 percent cut in Medicare payments has gone into effect. CMS has instructed its Medicare administrative contractors to hold all claims with dates of service on or after April 1, 2021, in anticipation of possible congressional action to extend the suspension of the reduction. Please note that this may impact COVID-19 vaccine administration payment rates. At the time of writing, the Senate has passed legislation to delay the cut until the end of 2021; however, the House will need to vote on this measure and is expected to do so when it returns to session the week of April 12. NCPA will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
NCPA Comments to DEA on Suspicious Orders Proposed Rule
NCPA submitted comments to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in response to the reopened comment period on their proposed rule on Suspicious Orders of Controlled Substances, which contains several proposed revisions to regulations relating to suspicious orders of controlled substances. NCPA also joined a sign on letter with the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores requesting DEA to reopen the comment period for an additional 180 days to allow pharmacy stakeholders to develop more meaningful input.
NCPA State Legislative Activity Update
NCPA tracks state legislation related to our top three state priorities: Medicaid reform, scope of practice and compensation for services, and PBM reform and regulation. Click each issue for a report of bills that have been introduced so far this session specifically dealing with these three issue areas. You can access the individual bill language and basic information on the bill by clicking on the bill numbers in the attached report. Bills that have moved this week are listed at the top in the “Recently Updated” section.
NCPA’s Advocacy Center Update provides a weekly detailed summary of recent and breaking legislative, regulatory, and state developments impacting independent community pharmacy and NCPA’s efforts to affect policies benefitting its membership and the industry. The weekly update is distributed to NCPA leadership, steering committees, allied organizations/stakeholders and major contributors to the NCPA LDF and PAC. The weekly update is intended exclusively for the recipient and is not for external distribution.