COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
- General Vaccine Resources
Vaccination *Added 1/14/2021*
- CDC Pharmacy Partnership Programs for COVID-19 Vaccination
- NCPA COVID Vaccine Reimbursement Information *Added 4/1/21*
- NCPA COVID Vaccine Billing Issues Report Form *Added 4/1/21*
- SC DHEC Enrollment Form And Presentation on Enrolling in State COVID-19 Immunization Program
- Application To Apply For Type 1 NPI
- NCPA Handout Out On Billing For COVID-19 Vaccines
- PAAS Article On Billing For COVID-19 Vaccines
- FDA Website on COVID-19 Vaccines
- FDA FAQ On Moderna Vaccine
- FDA FAQ On Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine
- Payments for SC Medicaid COVID-19 Vaccine Administration *Added 2/9/2021*
- General Information
- Vaccine Rates Info
(From APhA- Added 3/19/21) In a major win for vaccinators and patients, CMS announced this week it will be increasing the administration rate and creating one standard rate for each COVID-19 vaccine administration for Medicare beneficiaries. Previously, the rates differed, depending on whether it was the first or second of a two-dose vaccine or if it was a single vaccine. CMS said that it will also work with states and private payers to increase their current payment rates. Get the most up to date list of billing codes, payment allowances and effective dates. All Medicare patients (including patients with Medicare Advantage plans) need to bring their red, white, and blue Medicare card for pharmacists and other providers to be able to bill Medicare part B for COVID-19 vaccine administration. Here are the details:
Medicare
- Single-Dose Vaccine: Starting on March 15, 2021, for single dose COVID-19 vaccines, Medicare will pay approximately $40 for its administration.
- Multi-Dose Vaccine: Starting on March 15, 2021, for COVID-19 vaccines requiring multiple doses, Medicare will pay approximately $40 for each dose in the series ($80 total)
Geographic Adjustments
- The exact payment rate will continue to be geographically adjusted based on where the service is furnished with lower payments for lower cost areas and higher payments in higher cost areas.
Medicaid
- CMS to Pay 100% of State-Determined Vaccine Administration Rates: Beginning April 1, 2021, CMS will pay 100% for COVID-19 vaccine administration under state-determined Medicaid rates. This change might have implications for states with approved state plan amendments (SPAs), or pending SPAs, and states considering payment changes should contact CMS for technical assistance.
- CMS to Work with States to Increase Medicaid Payment Rates: CMS intends to provide additional guidance to states in forthcoming updates to the CMS toolkit on implementation of the 100% federal coverage under Medicaid for COVID-19 vaccine administration. CMS also pledged to work with states to increase Medicaid administration payment rates to help reach underserved communities.
Private Plans
- CMS to Work with Other Federal Agencies that Regulate Private Plans to Ensure “Reasonable” Payment Rates that Reflect Increased Medicare Payment Rates. In light of CMS’s increased Medicare payment rates, CMS will expect commercial carriers to continue to ensure that their rates are “reasonable,” in comparison to prevailing market rates. CMS, along with the Departments of Labor and Treasury, already requires that most private health plans and issuers cover the COVID-19 vaccine and its administration, both in-network and out-of-network, with no cost sharing for patients during the public health emergency (PHE).
Uninsured
- For individuals who are uninsured, pharmacists and other providers may submit claims for reimbursement for administering the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals without insurance through the HRSA Provider Relief Fund. CMS recently clarified that providers are not required to ascertain a patient’s immigration status in order to receive reimbursement from the fund.
COVID-19 Resources
- Misc COVID-19 Resources
- OCR Enforcement Discretion *Added 2/5/21*
- Part D Payment Modernization Model *Added 2/5/21*
- PReP Act Amendment 5 *Added 2/5/21*
- HHS Issues Fourth PrEP Act Amendment *Added 12/4/2020*
- OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- OSHA Temporary Enforcement Guidance – Healthcare Respiratory Protection Annual Fit-Testing for N95 Filtering Facepieces During the COVID-19 Outbreak *Added 4/6/20*
- Interactive State-By-State Map on COVID-19 Hospital Overload Projections *Added 4/7/20*
- Hero’s Act Bill Bill proposed that $50000 of first responders’ income is exempt from federal taxes from 2/15/20- 6/15/20 *Added 4/7/20*
- IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief Main Page *Added 4/6/20*
- Request/Give/Make PPE *Added 4/6/20*
- Science Direct Article: SARS-CoV-2 outbreak: How can pharmacists help? *Added 4/6/20*
- IRS: Employee Retention Credit available for many businesses financially impacted by COVID-19 *Added 4/6/20*
- Treasury and IRS Issue Guidance on Deferring Tax Payments Due to COVID-19 Outbreak *Added 4/6/20*
- Department of Labor: Pharmacies and their employees may be exempted from Paid Sick Leave or Expanded Family and Medical Leave under the FFCRA per their FAQ *Added 4/6/20*
- NACDS COVID-19 Member Resource Page *Added 4/6/20*
- NACDS statement on pharmacy procedures in public health situations, product demand and supply issues, and more *Added 4/6/20*
- NACDS Statement On Increased Prescribing of Hydroxychloroquine/Chloroquine *Added 4/6/20*
- Pharmacy Organizations’ Joint Policy Recommendations to Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic *Added 4/6/20*
- NCPA Resource Page
- NCPA: Here’s What You Need to Know About the CARES Act *Added 4/6/20*
- ASHP Resource Page
- APhA’s Pharmacists’ Guide to Coronavirus *Added 4/6/20*
- APhA’s Practice Resources *Added 4/6/20*
- APhA’s Letter to OSHA Requesting Clarification of the Level of Protection for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Staff *Added 4/6/20*
- Joint Statement of the American Medical Association, American Pharmacists Association, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists on Inappropriate Ordering, Prescribing, or Dispensing of Medications to Treat COVID-19 *Added 4/6/20*
- ASCP Resource Page
- CPESN COVID-19 Standard Plan of Care Template
- NASPA Pharmacy Organization’s Joint Policy Recommendations to Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic
- SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
- HRSA South Carolina Coronavirus (COVID-19) Awards
- COVID-19 FAQs for McKesson Pharmaceutical Solutions and Services *Added 3/27/20*
- Office for Civil Rights at the US Department of Health and Human Service Guidance on COVID-19 and HIPAA: Disclosures to law enforcement, paramedics, other first responders and public health authorities *Added 4/6/20*
- CDC COVID-19 Resources
- Coronavirus Main Page
- Human Infection with COVID-19 Person Under Investigation (PUI) and Case Report Form *Added 4/20/20*
- Completing the Person Under Investigation (PUI) and Case Report Form *Added 4/20/20*
- Case Report Form for Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 *Added 4/20/20*
- Cleaning and Disinfection for Non-emergency Transport Vehicles *Added 4/20/20*
- Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) *Added 4/20/20*
- Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages *Added 4/20/20*
- Decontamination and Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators *Added 4/20/20*
- What you should know about COVID-19 to protect yourself and others *Added 4/20/20*
- Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators *Added 4/20/20*
- Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 *Added 4/20/20*
- Preparing for COVID-19: Long-term Care Facilities, Nursing Homes *Added 4/20/20*
- Interim U.S. Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure in a Healthcare Setting to Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) *Updated 4/15/20*
- Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers (Including Maintaining Childhood Immunizations During COVID-19 Pandemic *Added 4/7/20*
- Considerations for Pharmacies during the COVID-19 Pandemic *Added 4/6/20*
- Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) *Added 4/6/20*
- Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE *Added 4/6/20*
- Personal Protective Equipment Burn Rate Calculator This spreadsheet can help healthcare facilities plan and optimize the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Get the Instructions *Added 4/6/20*
- Information for Clinicians on Therapeutic Options for COVID-19 Patients *Added 4/6/20*
- Interim U.S. Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure in a Healthcare Setting to Patients with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) *Added 4/6/20*
- Situation Summary
- Cases in the U.S.
- Risk Assessment
- Information for Health Care Personnel
- Information for Laboratories
- South Carolina COVID-19 Resources
- SC DHEC Coronavirus Main Page
- SC DHEC Health Care Providers and Organizations Can Apply to Receive and Administer Vaccines *Added 10/30/20*
- LLR: US DHHS OVERVIEW OF EXPANSION OF CERTAIN PHARMACISTS’AND PHARMACY INTERNS’ ABILITY TO ORDER AND/OR ADMINISTER CERTAIN VACCINES UNDER THE PREP ACT *Added 8/21/20*
- SC DHEC Health Update: COVID-19 Antibody Testing for Immunity & Return-to-Work Decisions *Added 5/1/20*
- SC DHEC Health Update: COVID-19 Infection Control Guidance Update & N95 Optimization Strategies *Added 4/21/20*
- SC DHEC Health Update: Updated Guidance for COVID-19 case follow-up, guidelines for isolation and quarantine and cloth mask use *Added 4/21/20*
- SC DHEC Severe Illness Associated with Using Non-Pharmaceutical Chloroquine Phosphate to Prevent and Treat Coronavirus Disease 2019 *Added 4/8/20*
- SC DHEC Testing Prioritization for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Laboratory Testing and Case Reporting *Added 4/8/20*
- SC DHEC Updated Guidance for COVID-19 case follow-up, guidelines for isolation and quarantine and cloth mask use *Added 4/8/20*
- SC OSHA Interim Guidance – N95 Respirator Use in Patient Care *Added 4/6/20*
- SC Department of Labor Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) – Employees *Added 4/6/20*
- SC Department of Labor Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) – Employers *Added 4/6/20*
- Joint Guidance Regarding Prescribing and Dispensing of Hydroxychloroquine, Choloroquine, and Azithromycin *Added 4/6/20*
- DHEC Guidance on the Discontinuation of Isolation and Quarantine & DHEC Guidance on the Management of Healthcare Personnel (HCPs) who are positive for COVID-19 or exposed to COVID-19 patients *Added 4/6/20*
- 90-day Emergency Temporary Controlled Substances Registrations *Added 4/6/20*
- Testing Prioritization for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Laboratory Testing and Case Reporting *Added 4/6/20*
- Communication from SC Board of Pharmacy: The renewal start date for Pharmacy Technicians and all Facilities (both resident and non-resident) is set for April 15, 2020. The renewal deadline and any continuing education requirement has been extended to September 30, 2020.*Added 4/6/20*
- Mutual Drug: Sign up to join list of SC Backup Pharmacy Staff *Added 4/6/20*
- SC Monitoring & Testing *Added 3/17/20*
- Important Information from SC DHEC regarding the practice of pharmacy during this public health emergency *Added 4/6/20*
- Emergency Pharmacy Board Orders
- Retail Pharmacies Offering Delivery *Added 4/1/20* (Self-reported on SCPhA site)
- Molina Reported Pharmacies Offering Delivery *Added 4/1/20*
- Announcement Regarding Controlled Substances From DHEC *Added 3/18/20*
- Report a Case
- Updated Guidance DHEC Guidance on Patient COVID-19 Testing & CDC Information and Guidance about Global Travel on Cruise Ships, Including River Cruises, due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) *Added 3/16/20*
- FAQs
- State of Emergency Declaration
- DHEC COVID-19 Educational & Outreach Materials *Added 3/20/20*
- DHEC Telehealth Virtual Care Providers (COVID-19) *Added 3/20/20*
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers *Added 3/25/20*
- SC DHHS Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Temporary Policy Updates Bulletin *Added 3/20/20*
- SCD HHS Hosting Medicaid Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) Update Webinar *Added 4/1/20*
- South Carolina Department of Insurance COVID-19 Website *Added 4/2/20*
- What to Know About the Paycheck Protection Program– Communication from Congressman Joe Wilson *Added 4/2/20*
- Executive Orders from the Governor *Added 4/1/20*
- 2020-28 Official (PDF) | Text Alternative (PDF) – Modification of Restrictions for Public Beaches & Waters & Incremental Modification of Non-Essential Business Closures *Added 4/21/20*
- 2020-25 Official (PDF) | Text Alternative (PDF) – Modification of Emergency Restrictions for Public Waters & Emergency Measures for Unemployment Claims & Benefits *Added 4/21/20*
- 2020-23 Official (PDF) | Text Alternative (PDF) – Third State of Emergency Due to COVID-19 Pandemic *Added 4/21/20*
- 2020-22 Official (PDF) | Text Alternative (PDF) – Authorization for COVID-19 Support Payments by Employers *Added 4/21/20*
- 2020-21 Official (PDF) | Text Alternative (PDF) – Home or Work Order *Added 4/21/20*
- 2020-19 Official (PDF) | Lodging & Travel Restrictions for Individuals from High-Risk Areas *Added 4/6/20*
- 2020-18 Official (PDF) | Closure of Additional Non-Essential Businesses *Added 4/6/20*
- 2020-17 Official (PDF) | Closure of Non-Essential Businesses
- 2020-16 Official (PDF) | Emergency Access Restrictions for Public Beaches & Waters Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
- 2020-15 Official (PDF) | State of Emergency Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
- 2020-14 Official (PDF) | Self-Quarantine for Individuals from High-Risk Areas
- 2020-13 Official (PDF) | Authorizing Law Enforcement to Preserve Public Health
- 2020-12 Official (PDF) | Regulatory Flexibility to Facilitate “Social Distancing”
- 2020-11 Official (PDF) | Directing Additional Emergency Measures Due to COVID-19
- 2020-10 Official (PDF) | Directing Additional Emergency Measures Due to COVID-19
- 2020-09 Official (PDF) | Text Alternative (PDF) – Closing Schools, Other Provisions in Response to COVID-19
- 2020-08 Official (PDF) | Text Alternative (PDF) – Declaring State of Emergency in Response to COVID-19
- 2020-07 Official (PDF) | Text Alternative (PDF) – Lifting Transportation Restrictions in Response to COVID-19
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Coronavirus Main Page
- Trump Administration Issues Second Round of Sweeping Changes to Support U.S. Healthcare System During COVID-19 Pandemic *Added 5/1/20*
- Updated Guidance for MA and Part D Plan Sponsors *Added 4/22/20*
- Section 1135 Waiver Flexibilities – South Carolina Coronavirus Disease 2019 *Added 4/6/20*
- COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers *Added 4/6/20*
- Guidance for Processing Attestations from Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) Temporarily Enrolling as Hospitals during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency *Added 4/7/20*
- Video on Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services *Added 4/7/20*
- Guidance on Minimizing Face-to-Face Contact for Medication Delivery or Dispensing *Added 3/27/20*
- Medicaid Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Temporary Policy Updates *Added 3/18/20*
- Suspension of Non-Emergency Inspections Across the Country
- Infection Control Guidance for Health Care Facilities
- Infection Control Guidance for Hospitals
- Infection Control Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities
- Infection Control Guidance for Hospice Agencies
- Infection Control Guidance for Home Health Agencies
- Infection Control Guidance for Dialysis Facilities
- New Lab Testing Codes for Coronavirus
- Guidance to Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans Regarding Prescription Drugs
- Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Response to the Public Health Emergency on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- CMS Press Release on Waiver Opportunities *Added 3/25/20*
- CMS State Medicaid Director Letter *Added 3/25/20*
- CMS Medicaid-disaster-relief-SPA template for Medicaid officials *Added 3/25/20*
- Draft letter you can send your Medicaid agency urging them to apply for 1135 Waiver (NCPA drafted) *Added 3/25/20*
- Summary of of CMS Actions (NCPA Drafted) *Added 3/25/20*
- Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services Fact Sheet *Added 3/20/20*
- Food & Drug Administration Resources
Food & Drug Administration
- Coronavirus Main Page
- Compounding Policy Clarifications (FDA Communication) *Added 4/7/20*
- Our guidance for hospital and health systems, which includes the “one mile radius” provision, is still in draft and we are planning to issue a revision. This draft guidance document was issued for public comment and has not been implemented.
- Although federal law specifies a 5 percent limit on interstate distribution of compounded drug products for pharmacy compounders, we do not intend to enforce the 5 percent limit until after we have finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and given states an opportunity to sign it. The MOU is currently in draft form.
- We do not consider drugs that are on FDA’s shortage list or that have been discontinued and are no longer marketed as “commercially available” under the “essentially a copy” provision for pharmacy compounders.
- We also do not consider a compounded drug produced by an outsourcing facility as “essentially a copy” if it is identical or nearly identical to an FDA-approved drug that is on FDA’s drug shortage list. The agency also does not intend to take action under this provision if the facility fills orders for a compounded drug that is essentially a copy of an approved drug that has been discontinued and is no longer marketed.
- See human drug compounding and drug shortages for more information. Please email compounding@fda.hhs.gov with questions.
- FDA Continues to Support Transparency and Collaboration in Drug Approval Process as the Clinical Data Summary Pilot Concludes *Added 3/26/20
- Supply Chain Update
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Daily Roundup March 31, 2020 *Added 4/1/20*
- Policy for Temporary Compounding of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products *Added 3/16/20*
- Policy for Temporary Compounding of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency- Immediately in Effect Guidance for Industry *Added 3/20/20*
- Beware of Fraudulent COVID-19 Test Kits and PPE *Added 4/1/20*
- World Health Organization Resources
- Q&A on Coronaviruses (COVID-19)
- Guidance for Health Workers *Added 4/6/20*
- Situation Report
- Research and Development
- Mythbusters *Added 3/26/20*
- Patient/Consumer Resources
- Steps to Prevent Illness
- WHAT OLDER ADULTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COVID-19 (SC Department on Aging) *Added 4/6/20*
- PBM Updates
- Express Scripts COVID-19 Signature Log Clarification
- Express Scripts Communication from 4/30/20: *Added 5/1/20*“Signature log policy extended due to COVID-1904.30.2020
Express Scripts would like to clarify that pharmacies are not required to obtain signatures from patients during this unprecedented pandemic, unless required by law. This policy was implemented on March 19, and was originally scheduled to remain in place until April 30. This policy has been extended and will be in effect until further notice.We understand that pharmacies will be servicing patients in unique ways and documentation could come in many forms, as an example but not meant to be all inclusive, documentation of that service may include: the pharmacist writes in a log book the prescription number and date of service, the cash register receipt that includes prescription numbers, a text message or email from the patient, a note on the hard copy, or an electronic annotation in your system. We understand that patient care is the number one priority and nothing in this notice should be construed to hinder servicing the patient.If you need a member’s specific prescription processing information or other help with a claim, please visit our Pharmacist Resource Center at https://prc.express-scripts.com. Thank you,Provider Outreach Team
Express Scripts” - Express Scripts Re-credentialing changes related to COVID-19 *Added 4/8/20*
- OptumRx Response to CMS Guidance Issued March 10, 2020 re: Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans Respond to COVID-19 (includes signature log clarification)
- Express Scripts’ Pharmacy Audits
- CVS/Caremark Signature Log Update
- OptumRx Communication from 3/26/20: *Added 3/27/20* “Thank you for contacting OptumRx. OptumRx is partnering with our participating network pharmacies as we work together to battle COVID-19. As part of working together, OptumRx has temporarily suspended the mailing/shipping prohibition, waived the signature requirement for drugs mailed/shipped to a member and when a member picks-up the covered drug at a pharmacy. We understand and appreciate that the current focus of our network pharmacies is the well-being of our valued members and are an important part of the national health care response to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Understanding the concerns during this national state of emergency and the need for our network pharmacies to focus on member/patient care, OptumRx has also suspended all on-site pharmacy audits as of March 16, 2020 and all desk audits as of March 23, 2020. Although we do not anticipate any material interference with a pharmacy serving the customers/members, please note that the above audit suspensions do not apply to fraud, waste or abuse investigations. Kind regards and stay safe! Heidi Lew Heidi C. Lew, Pharm.D. | OptumRx,Vice President, Pharmacy Network Audit
- PBMs Stand With Rx Supply Chain to Help Patients Access Medications (PCMA Press Release) *Added 4/3/20*
- DEA Resources
- Main COVID-19 Information Page
- COVID-19 Prescribing Guidance (For assistance contact Local DEA Field Office) *Added 4/6/20*
- Guidance on early refills on prescriptions for controlled substance
- Exception to Separate Registration Requirements Across State Lines
- Response to COVID-19
- Questions and Answers for Prescribing Practitioners (EPCS)
- Use of Mobile Devices in the Issuance of EPCS
- Barclay Damon Communications
- COVID-19: President Trump and Senate Finalize Terms of Phase 3 Economic Stimulus Package
- COVID-19: USDOL Releases Guidance on Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- USDOL Issues Updated Guidance on Compliance With Families First Coronavirus Response Act *Added 3/27/20*
- SBA Releases Loan Application for Paycheck Protection Program *Added 4/1/20*
- COVID-19: Labor Issues for Non-Union, Union Employers in Uncertain Times *Added 4/6/20*
- Updated SBA Guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program *Added 4/6/20*
- CARES Act Unemployment Compensation *Added 4/6/20*
- New in-Service Distribution Event: Coronavirus-Related Distributions *Added 4/6/20*
- COVID-19: Small Business Interruption Loans *Added 4/6/20*
- COVID-19: OCR Issues Guidance to Help Ensure First Responders, Others Receive PHI From Individuals Exposed to Virus *Added 4/6/20*
- COVID-19: CARES Act Makes Significant Changes to 42 CFR Part 2 *Added 4/6/20*
- A Silver Lining: COVID-19 Offers Independent Pharmacies a Chance to Shine *Added 4/6/20*
- COVID-19: Update – USDOL Issues New Guidance on Compliance With Families First Coronavirus Response Act *Added 4/6/20*
- Tax Provisions of the CARES Act *Added 4/6/20*