Other Items of Interest...
Medicaid Tamper Resistant RX Law Takes Effect
The Medicaid Tamper Resistant Prescription requirements will be effective beginning April 1, 2008. The law applies only to written prescriptions for covered outpatient drugs; prescriptions that are transmitted from the prescriber to the pharmacy verbally, by fax, or through an e-prescription are not impacted by the statute, and so those methods may be used as alternatives to a written prescription. The law applies whenever Medicaid pays any portion of the cost of a prescription. Click herefor more information from CMS and hereto view a PDF with more on Medicaid's Tamper Resistant Prescription Law.
CMS to Host National Education Call on May 13
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a national education conference call to address the implementation of the new Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding program scheduled to begin on July 1, 2008.
This call is being conducted for Medicare fee-for-service DMEPOS suppliers, physicians, and other providers – all of which may be affected by the program. The call will give a general overview of the new program and address some of the exceptions and situations you may encounter as the program is implemented. A presentation will be made by the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) and CMS Subject Matter Experts will be available to answer questions. A PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the CMS Website prior to the call. Click herefor more information.
Important Information for Round 2 of DMEPOS Competitive Bidding
An article addressing Pre-Bidding Activities for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding 2nd Round is available in PDF format by clicking here.This article includes information for suppliers who are in the Wichita and Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan areas and may be pertinent to suppliers who participated in the bidding for the 1st Round (Kansas City MSA). The article addresses steps necessary to ensure supplier number and Authorized Official information is current with the National Supplier Clearinghouse and that bidders are registered in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) security system known as the Individuals Authorized Access to CMS Computer Services (IACS). As an added note, suppliers/providers who plan to participate in 2nd Round Competitive Bidding must have submitted applications for accreditation by May 14, 2008.
Please share this information with those in your membership and network who need to know about the 2nd Round of Competitive Bidding Program for DMEPOS.
If you have any questions about this information, please contact Jacqui Stanard via e-mailor at (816) 426-6405.
MPA Legislative Day Photos Available Online
Click hereto view a slideshow of photos from MPA's 2008 Legislative Day!
Medicare Part B DME Accreditation
In early 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and product categories for the second round of the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program.
The second round of bidding will occur in 70 MSAs. All suppliers must meet quality standards and be accredited by a CMS-recognized accreditation organization in order to obtain a contract
under the Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding program.
- Suppliers must be accredited or have applied for accreditation by May 14, 2008 to submit a bid for the second round of competitive bidding. CMS cannot accept a bid from any supplier that is not accredited or that has not applied for accreditation by May 14, 2008.
- Suppliers will need to be accredited to be awarded a contract. The accreditation deadline for the second round of competitive bidding is October 31, 2008. Suppliers must be accredited before this date to be awarded a contract. (...more)
Preventing Fraud, Waste and Abuse Training
As part of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) released final guidance in April 2006 for compliance to all Medicare Part D sponsors titled "CMS Prescription Drug Benefit Manual, Chapter 9 – Part D Program to Control Fraud, Waste and Abuse." Section 50.2.3 of the Manual dictates that all sponsors and their "downstream entities," which include pharmacists and pharmacy workforce members engaged in delivering any Medicare services, receive general and specialized training to prevent fraud, waste and abuse.
MPA, in partnership with LearnSomething, is offering compliance training online by clicking here.If employees at your pharmacy have not yet completed fraud, waste and abuse training, they will need to do so in order to be compliant with these new regulations.
If you have any questions, please contact Abby Havens at MPA at (800) 468-4672, ext. 227 or e-mail Abby.
Live Well Campaign
The State of Missouri has just introduced a new health campaign, Live Like Your Life Depends On It. Click here to learn more about how you can get involved. Decide what promotional materials will work best in your store and the materials will be sent to you – at no charge. Click hereto print an order form.
Any questions please call Julie Tilley at (816) 283-8300, Ext., 100. To place an order contact Eric Karlovic at (314) 571-6325 or e-mail Eric.
Register Today for MPA's Annual Convention & Trade Show!
Hilton by the Ballpark St. Louis
June 12 - 15, 2008
The 2008 Annual Convention & Trade Show, scheduled for June 12 - 15, 2008, at Hilton by the Ballpark in St. Louis, Mo., is an excellent opportunity for pharmacists, technicians and students to learn about pharmacy as it is in 2008 and earn between 10 – 12 continuing education credits! There is even a possibility of more credits being offered, which will be announced closer to June.
Click on the links below to download your registration forms. Completed forms can be mailed to MPA at 211 E. Capitol Ave., Jefferson City, MO 65101. You can also fax forms to: (573) 636-7453.
Pharmacist / Technician / Student
You are responsible for making your room reservations at the Hilton. To reserve a room, call (877) 845-7354 and reference the Missouri Pharmacy Association.
PLEASE NOTE: The Cardinals will be in town the weekend of the Convention, so you need to book your room(s) before May 12, 2008 to ensure availability.
If you have questions regarding continuing education or MPA’s 2008 Annual Convention & Trade Show, please contact Abby Havens at MPA at (800) 468-4672, ext. 227 or e-mail Abby.
Click hereto view a summary and schedule of events.
Click hereto view other news.
House Bill 1332, the