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Cost-Effective Solution for DMEPOS Accreditation from Pace
Mandatory Accreditation to supply Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS), including Diabetic Supplies, is now a reality for independent pharmacies. Accreditation is required by September 30, 2009 to maintain a Medicare Provider Number and to continue billing for DMEPOS, including diabetic supplies, for Medicare beneficiaries.
Until now, there has not been a cost-effective way for independents to become accredited. The process has been expensive and disjointed. However, Pace Alliance has found an industry-leading, simple, cost-effective solution through Network Accreditation Services, Inc. (NASI), a PRS Pharmacy Services affiliate company, and is now offering it to our valued pharmacies.
See the link for closer look at this program. If interested, Go to www.prsrxnetwork.com and click on Signup. When asked, use the Network Code: PAI66049
Or call PRS at 1.866.606.3211 and tell them you are a Pace member.
More Info...
Get Involved in MPhA's House of Delegates!
The next MPhA House of Delegates will meet June 29 at this year’s Annual meeting, June 27-29, in Alexandria. If you would like to submit new business items, please submit the New Business Form (form below) by fax 651-697-1776 or e-mail to Emily Finstuen at emily@mpha.org. Faxed or emailed forms must be received by April 30th to be reviewed by the Public Affairs Committee, or submitted at the Annual Meeting registration table by 7:30 a.m. on June 28th.
There are also opportunities to become a delegate. Please contact Angela at angela@mpha.org to see if there are openings in your district/academy.
Lastly, MPhA is seeking candidates for Speaker and Vice Speaker of the MPhA House of Delegates. Both positions are two year terms. The following are the details from the MPhA bylaws on the two positions. If you are interested in running for either position, please contact liz@mpha.org.
The Speaker shall: issue a call of the House, shall preside over
meetings of the House, and shall serve on the Board of Directors ex-officio with vote. The speaker shall appoint a parliamentarian at meetings of the House of Delegates. ...
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CMS Releases 2009 Defined Standard Benefit and LIS Parameters
Every year CMS is required to update the statutory parameters for the defined standard Part D prescription drug benefit, Low-Income Subsidy and more. For 2009, the new parameters for the standard benefit include the Deductible - $295; Initial Coverage Limit - $2,700; and the Out of Pocket Threshold - $4,350. Additionally, cost sharing for full benefit dual eligible beneficiaries below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will be $1.10 for generic and preferred multi-source drugs and $3.20 for other drugs; and for those full benefit dual eligible beneficiaries over 100% of the FPL, the co-payments will be $2.40/$6.00 respectively. As always, full benefit dual eligible beneficiaries who are considered institutionalized will have $0 co-payments.
Please see page 33 of the Announcement of Calendar Year (CY) 2009 Medicare Advantage Capitation Rates and Medicare Advantage and Part D Payment Policies for a chart comparing Part D benefit parameters from 2008 and 2009. ...
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CMS Releases Article on the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program
CMS has released a MLN Matters Special Edition Article # SE0807 entitled "Important Exceptions and Special Circumstances that Occur Under the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program:--The third in a series of articles on the new DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program." The article is posted on the CMS Website at the link below.
This is the third in a series of educational articles that will assist you in understanding the details of this new DMEPOS program. As a reminder, the new program begins July 1, 2008. Additional educational materials will be made available in the coming weeks.
This article will be of particular interest to physicians and other treating practitioners who are enrolled DMEPOS suppliers; physicians and others who order or refer DMEPOS items or services for their patients; skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities; and physical therapists and occupational therapists in private practice who are Medicare enrolled DMEPOS suppliers.
The first two special edition articles on the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program can be viewed at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/
DMEPOS Article
US Rep. Tim Walz Holds Healthcare Economic Summit in Owatonna
US Rep. Tim Walz is holding a Healthcare Economic Summit on April 28, 2008 from 9 a.m to 10:30 a.m. in Owatonna at the AmericINN. The AmericInn is located at 245 Florence Avenue.
Message from Rep. Walz:
America’s health care system urgently needs reform. From 2004-2005, the number of uninsured increased by 1.3 million. The percentage of employer based coverage dropped and the number of uninsured children increased to 8.3 million across the country. The cost of our broken health care system continues to skyrocket and working families are struggling to make ends meet. Our business community is finding it increasingly difficult to compete in a global economy when faced with rising health care costs. The lack of insurance coverage creates significant economic problems and hinders our prospects for economic growth in southern Minnesota. The Healthcare Summit will address these challenges and seek solutions to these complex problems. Come and lend your voice to this important discussion!
Panelists Include:
Dr. Noel Peterson, Former President and CEO, Olmsted Medical Center
Ghita Worcester, Sr. ...
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Grassroots Action Needed to Prevent Medicaid Pharmacy Reimbursement Cuts
Urgent Grassroots Action Needed!
A Conference Committee has been appointed to work out the differences in the Supplemental Budget Bill. The committee members are currently going through the differences of H.F. 1812/S.F. ...
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US Senate Passes Internet Pharmacy Regulation Bill
On April 1, 2008, the U.S. Senate passed the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 (S. 980). This legislation would restrict the distribution of controlled substances through Internet pharmacies. It also calls for Internet pharmacies to comply and incorporate several new criteria on their Web site homepages, including:
*Information about the Web site owner
*States of operation and licensure
*Contact information for the pharmacy
*Information about the location of the pharmacy
*Contact information for a licensed practitioner who provides medical consultations or issues prescriptions for controlled substance through referrals from the website
*Qualifications of the pharmacists and practitioners;
*Certification of registration with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
*Certification of registration to deliver, distribute, and dispense controlled substances
*Statement of compliance with this legislation.
This bill also requires Internet pharmacies to notify the Attorney General (AG) and the State board of pharmacy prior to dispensing, delivering, and distributing controlled substances via the Internet. ...
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CMS Releases Part D E-Prescribing Final Rule
CMS released the Part D electronic prescribing final rule establishing Part D e‑prescribing standards for four types of information. The standards adopted under the rule will apply to all Part D sponsors, as well as to prescribers and dispensers that electronically transmit prescriptions and prescription-related information about Part D covered drugs prescribed for Part D eligible individuals. The rule adopts four standards for use in e-prescribing:
·Formulary and benefits: Allows prescribers to communicate with Part D sponsors about which drugs are covered by the patient’s prescription drug benefit plan. Prescribers can also learn which generic prescription drugs might offer lower-cost options for the individual.
·Medication history: Allows providers, dispensers and Part D sponsors to communicate among themselves about prescribed medications a beneficiary has taken or is taking, including those prescribed by other providers. ...
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Deadline Extended for Technician Nominations
MPhA is still accepting nominations for outstanding Pharmacy Technicians. Technicians play a valuable role in todays pharmacy, and we know there are many outstanding techs that deserve to be recognized.
Please take a few moments today to nominate your top tech. The recipient will be recognized at the Pharmacy Technician Conference, July 24, in front of their peers.
Nomination Form
Tamper-Resistant Rx Tools for Implementation
The Medicaid tamper-resistant prescription pad implementation deadline of April 1, 2008 is quickly approaching and APhA, NACDS, and NCPA have worked to provide educational materials to minimize any potentially negative impact on patient access due to the new requirement.
Included in the materials:
•Patient educational piece on the new requirement and space on the bottom of the page to insert a company logo and contact information
•Pharmacist Q & A document to help navigate the new requirement with links to state specific resources
•Prescriber Q & A document you can edit and send to prescribers with whom you work to ensure they are aware of the requirement and have ordered the appropriate prescription pads
The link to the materials is below.
Educational Materials
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Roseville, MN 55113