Tag: NCPA
NCPA backs bill on PBM reform
April 20, 2021HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association supports legislation that would give seniors more convenient access to discounted or “preferred” co-pays for prescription drugs at their pharmacy of choice. H.R. 2608, the Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act, would also empower more seniors to choose the pharmacy that best fits their needs, promote transparency so that pharmacies have a clear understanding of their reimbursement, and tackle conflicts of...
In brief: Telemedicine and sleep, Medtrade West registration, Heartland lineup
April 8, 2021HME News Staff
DARIEN, Ill. – Sleep medicine has proven to be a specialty that can offer complete and quality care remotely, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine says in a recently published position paper.
While the technology to remotely connect doctor and patient has been in place for years, its use was limited until the pandemic, when CMS lifted restrictions on telehealth reimbursement and private companies followed suit.
“Delivering care during the pandemic has proven to providers and insurers...
Enrollment opens for NCPA fellowship
April 7, 2021HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Enrollment is open now through July 31 for the NCPA Innovation Center/CPESN Community Pharmacy Fellowship, sponsored by Good Neighbor Pharmacy. The Community Pharmacy Fellowship is an intensive 12-month online educational program for individual pharmacists practicing in a CPESN pharmacy, focusing on implementation of enhanced clinical services with the goal of transforming as many practices as possible, as quickly as possible. “You don’t have to be a recent pharmacy...
NCPA names innovators
March 18, 2021HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association has named five community pharmacies recipients of the NCPA Innovation Center for Excellence Awards for 2021. They are by category:
COVID-19 Best External Modification – McCoy-Tygart Drug in Sheridan, Ark.
COVID-19 Best Internal Remodel – Medi-Wise Pharmacy in Newcomerstown, Ohio
Best Exterior Sign – Webb’s Family Pharmacy in Rochester, Ind.
Best Delivery Vehicle – Happy Druggist in Mechanicsburg,...
In brief: Delivery costs, CPAP compliance, CareCentrix model
March 12, 2021HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – The cost of delivering home medical equipment has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the results of a new survey from VGM.
The survey of nearly 100 medical equipment providers in eight regions of the U.S. looked at vehicle cost per trip; PPE expense; labor expense per hour; and time of travel, equipment set-up and instruction, and equipment pickup.
In the Great Lakes region, for example, the average delivery cost has...
Survey: Americans prefer to get COVID-19 vax from trusted provider, says NCPA
March 10, 2021HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Four out of 10 Americans prefer to receive COVID-19 vaccines from a trusted health care provider, such as their local pharmacist or doctor, according to a new survey from the National Association of Community Pharmacists. Only 4% prefer to be vaccinated at a mass health event. “Pharmacies are being underutilized,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist, MBA. “Millions of Americans would prefer to get immunized by a local health care provider, like...
NCPA says DIR fees threaten pharmacies
February 12, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – After failing to get relief on direct and indirect remuneration fees through legislative and regulatory pathways, the National Community Pharmacists Association says it was left no choice but to file a lawsuit to stop what it says is an “existential threat” to independent pharmacies.
The lawsuit, filed in January against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, states that the fees are without reasonable transparency,...
NCPA launches public education campaign on threat of PBMs
February 11, 2021HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association is partnering with state pharmacy associations to educate the public, patients and policymakers on the largely unknown role played by pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, in raising drug costs, restricting patient access, and squashing local pharmacies, ultimately limiting consumer choices. “Access to pharmacies – essential businesses and health care providers – has never been more important than...
In brief: Screening calls, C-suite changes, scholarship
January 29, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS is having a subcontractor of the National Supplier Clearinghouse call supplier locations to make sure they’re open and available for inspection, according to AAHomecare.
Early in the COVID-19 public health emergency, CMS waived the requirement that suppliers be open at a physical location a minimum of 30 hours per week (supplier standard No. 7). The waiver was lifted in July and CMS announced it would move forward with physical inspections. The agency assured...
Pharmacy groups call for expanding network of vaccine providers
January 27, 2021HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists have called on the country’s state governors to enlist independent long-term care pharmacies in their COVID-19 vaccination efforts by leveraging the new Federal Transfer Program, which allocates vaccines to independent pharmacies. In a joint letter to the National Governors Association, the two groups point to the bumpy rollout of vaccinations provided...