The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a rule change to allow physicians to prescribe buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) without a waiver. The move by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) eliminates the eight-hour X-waiver course physicians were required to complete by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) before prescribing buprenorphine treatment. Physician assistants, nurse practitioners and other approved advanced practice nurses will still need to obtain an X-waiver before prescribing buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD. For more information on this change please visit the HHS website.
340B Recertification Deadline March 1
The 340B recertification process is open Feb. 1-Mar. 1, 2020. Covered entities that do not recertify by the deadline of Monday, March 1, will be terminated from the HRSA 340B Program starting on Tuesday, March 2. They will require a new registration and will not be eligible to participate in the 340B Program until July. To recertify, Authorizing Officials and Primary Contacts must first set up user accounts by visiting the HRSA 340B Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System (340B OPAIS) and choosing “I am a participant.” It is the covered entity’s responsibility to ensure they have created their accounts before recertification to allow successful completion of the process. For questions or assistance, email the 340B call center or call 888-340-2787, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-6:00 pm.
Marketplace Enrollment Increased for 2021
Pennie ended the 2021 Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment period on January 15 with more than 337,000 Pennsylvanians gaining coverage through our new state-based exchange. This is about a 1.8 percent increase over 2020 enrollment numbers. Consumers on average saw a four percent reduction in premium costs. PACHC affiliated enrollment assisters fielded more than 1900 requests for appointments through Pennie’s online appointment request form. According to data collected by Pennie, assisters who were able to claim and access their Pennie Account enrolled more than 2,000 consumers in health plans. PACHC hosted our first virtual Outreach and Enrollment 2021 Debrief session this week, where assisters were able to provide feedback and answer polling questions regarding consumer and assister experience. Staff from Pennie were present and appreciated the valuable feedback from our assister community which will inform decisions for the 2022 enrollment period.
Biden Administration Tells Governors PHE to Extend through 2021
The Biden Administration sent a letter to the nation’s Governors signaling its intent to renew the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) throughout 2021. Further, the letter indicates that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will provide states with 60 days’ notice prior to terminating the PHE or allowing it to expire. Statute requires the PHE to be renewed every 90 days.
Regulation Implementing EO on Insulin and Epinephrine Delayed
HRSA published a notice in the Federal Register officially delaying the effective date for new regulation implementing President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) on FQHC 340B prices for insulin and EpiPens. The effective date has been delayed by 60 days-–the maximum time allowed under the White House order–until March 22. Per the notice, this delay will “give Department officials the opportunity for further review and consideration of new regulations.” There have been some media coverage and social media posts mischaracterizing the regulation as well as the impact of its delay. For talking points if your health center is contacted or if you want to respond to misrepresentations, contact Eric Kiehl, PACHC Director of Policy & Partnership.
Commentary: Vaccines, Networks and the Importance of Trust
By Eyal Kedar
“The message of this essay is simple. It is a call for awareness and for larger and more concerted action. It is a call to eliminate a longstanding double standard in American medicine.”
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‘Childcare Gap’ Greater in Rural Areas, Study Finds
By Olivia Weeks
For rural families, there is a 35% gap between childcare supply and potential need, compared to a 29% gap in urban areas.
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‘The Happiness and Joy Has Been Sucked Out of Me’: Wisconsin Dairy Farmers Face Mental Health Crisis
By Jack Kelly, Wisconsin Watch
Many Wisconsin milk producers are overwhelmed, dogged by financial worries, a crushing workload, labor shortages and bad weather.
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CDC Vaccine Locator
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information about local health departments, along with questions and answers for health care workers and consumers about the COVID-19 vaccination.
Extended Grace Period for IHS Facilities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the grace period previously granted to Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, and facilities operated by Tribes and Tribal organizations, to claim Medicaid reimbursement for services provided outside of the “four walls” of the facility to October 31, 2021. This bulletin also explains the steps Tribal facilities and states will need to take before the extended grace period expires in order to continue to be reimbursed for services provided outside the four walls of the facility after October 31st.