DHSS proposes Medicaid regulations regarding pharmacy reimbursements
Pharmacy reimbursement regulations to go through separate public process, not part of the large Medicaid regulations public process now underway
The Department of Health and Social Services on Friday proposed new regulations relating to pharmacy dispensing fees, tobacco cessation medication therapy management, Medisets, vaccine administration by pharmacists, and related definitions. The department also scheduled an additional public hearing via teleconference on Tuesday, Nov. 14, to address these specific issues.
Similar amendments were previously released for public comment in July 2006 as part of a broader Medicaid coverage and payment regulation project. The department withdrew those amendments from that project because they go beyond the intended scope of that project. The department determined that the pharmacy amendments warranted additional work and public testimony due to future anticipated changes in pharmacy reimbursement required by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
WHAT: Oral or written comments may be submitted at a public hearing on proposed regulations relating to pharmacy dispensing fees, tobacco cessation medication therapy management, Medisets, vaccine administration by pharmacists, and related matters. WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006 , 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (may be extended to accommodate those present before 11:30 a.m. who did not have an opportunity to comment) WHERE: Anchorage Legislative Information Office, suite 200 , 716 West 4th Avenue , Anchorage , Alaska . WHO: Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. |
TELECONFERENCE: Interested persons who are not able to attend the hearing in person may call in to present their comments by calling 1-888-295-4546.
Comments on the proposed pharmacy regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes can be submitted in writing no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 21 to:
David Campana
Medicaid Pharmacy Program Manager,
Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Health Care Services
4501 Business Park Blvd.,
Suite 24 , Anchorage , AK 99524-0249
e-mail: David_Campana@health.state.ak.us
The proposed regulation changes are available from David Campana, or from the DHSS public notice Web site: www.hss.state.ak.us/publicnotice/regulations.cfm
http://www.hss.state.ak.us/publicnotice/regulations.cfm
Anyone who had planned to testify on these pharmacy amendments at the hearings on the Medicaid coverage and payment regulations on Oct. 17 in Fairbanks and Juneau or at the Anchorage hearing on Oct. 19 should plan to attend the November hearings instead of the October hearings. The remainder of the earlier proposed Medicaid regulations hearings will be
held:
Fairbanks Oct. 17, 2006 , 9 - 11 a.m. ,
Legislative Information Office, 1292 Sadler Way
Juneau Oct. 17, 2006 , 2 - 4 p.m. ,
Terry Miller Building, Suite 104 ,
(corner of 5th and Main ) use Main St. entrance
Anchorage (not teleconferenced) Oct. 19, 2006,
Legislative Information Office, 716 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 200
Group #1, 1 - 3 p.m. - hospital, clinic, facility and institutional-based enrolled providers
Group #2, 3 - 5 p.m.- individual or independent health care practitioners enrolled in Medicaid.
Group #3, 5 - 7 p.m.- all remaining interested persons and other enrolled Medicaid providers
TELECONFERENCE INFORMATION: To participate in the October 17 Fairbanks or Juneau hearings by teleconference, please call 1-888-295-4546. To participate in the Juneau hearing by teleconference, callers who live in Juneau should call 463-5073. The Anchorage hearing will not be teleconferenced .