ATTENTION:  Qualified applicants preparing for MPJE® for the state of Tennessee: Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination® (MPJE®) Review Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Memphis, Tennessee Information --Professional Development and Leadership Conference-- August 22-23, 2008   •   Montgomery Bell State Park, Burns, TN Application/Nomination Deadline – June 2, 2008 Information and Application/Nomination 121st Annual TPA Convention & Exposition July 21-24, 2008 Chattanooga Marriott & Convention Center "Preventing Fraud, Waste and Abuse" Offered by TPA through LearnSomething.com, this ongoing online training program satisfies the Medicare Part D requirement that pharmacists and pharmacy employees receive general and specialized training to prevent fraud, waste and abuse. Information and Registration — News at a Glance — ALSO VISIT:  News at a Glance 2006  ●  News at a Glance 2005  ●  News at a Glance 2004 Most of the following articles are on Members-Only pages and require a TPA user name and password. 5.5.08 Update MedicareRx - "CMS Clarifies NPI Requirement for Prescriber ID Field on NCPDP Pharmacy Transaction" Includes the following links and topics: FAQ #9100: After May 23, 2008, is an NPI required for the prescriber ID field on the NCPDP pharmacy transaction? CMS Notice to Plans (to be posted soon after 5.5.08) CMS Will Host NPI Roundtable on May 14th, 2008 Comprehensive list of MLN Matters NPI articles NPI Roundtable Registration 4.30.08 Update MedicareRx - "MAY 23: All Medicare Transactions Must Be NPI-Only" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: MAY 7: “Legacy Free” Day – An Opportunity to Check Your NPI Readiness! Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) Information ABN and form instructions CMS Releases 2009 Defined Standard Benefit and LIS Parameters Announcement of Calendar Year (CY) 2009 Medicare Advantage Capitation Rates and Medicare Advantage and Part D Payment Policies Press Release 4.29.08 Bogus Prescriptions in West Tennessee 4.28.08 TennCare Awards PBM Contract ►TPA username and password required 4.25.08 Bogus Prescriptions in Memphis Area, Surrounding States ►TPA username and password required 4.23.08 Fraudulent Prescriptions in Middle Tennessee ►TPA username and password required 4.22.08 Bogus Prescription in East Tennessee ►TPA username and password required 4.22.08 TennCare Awards Managed Care Contracts ►TPA username and password required 4.17.08 Important Info for DMEPOS Suppliers ►TPA username and password required Bidding Alert:  Please Attend - Medicare Bidding Fly-In 4.16.08 Bogus Prescriptions in West Tennessee ►TPA username and password required 4.9.08 Update MedicareRx - "CMS-Recognized Accreditation Organizations for DMEPOS Suppliers - UPDATED" ►TPA username and password required Includes contact information and links to accredited organizations, updated March 10, 2008; plus: Second MLN Matters Article Article # SE0806 4.8.08 APhA Feedback Request - Tamper-Resistant Prescription Pad Implementation ►TPA username and password required 4.4.08 Counterfeit Scripts in Memphis Area ►TPA username and password required 4.3.08 TennCare/Medicare Dual-Eligibles and Tamper-Resistant Requirement ►TPA username and password required 4.3.08 Update MedicareRx - "CMS Audioconference: DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: --Presentation Materials --Registration Important DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Information --"Overview of New Medicare Competitive Bidding Program for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) – The first in a series of articles on the implementation of this program" --“What You Should Know if You Need Medicare-covered Equipment or Supplies” 3.31.08 Tennesseans Affected by Product Under Recall The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the State Department of Health are urging Tennesseans not to purchase or consume the products "Total Body Formula" and "Total Body Mega Formula" in the flavors of Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar, or "Total Body Mega Formula" in the Orange/Tangerine flavor.   Click here for additional information. ►TPA username and password required 3.28.08 TennCare Tamper-Resistant Requirements Effective THIS TUESDAY, April 1 ►TPA username and password required 3.25.08 Universal Care Liquidation- Important Information about Payment Distribution ►TPA username and password required 3.20.08 Stolen Prescriptions Pads in East Tennessee ►TPA username and password required 3.20.08 Fraudulent Prescriptions in Memphis Area ►TPA username and password required 3.20.08 Update MedicareRx - "CMS Releases the Final 2009 Call Letter" ►TPA username and password required 3.7.08 Update MedicareRx - "Medicare DMEPOS Update" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: Background -- Medicare Provider-Supplier Enrollment CMS Announces Round 2 of the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program -- Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) -- Product Categories -- Approved accreditation organizations -- CMS-recognized accreditation organizations -- Competitive Acquisition for DMEPOS website -- CMS Fact Sheet -- Press Release -- Updates about the second round of the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program 3.7.08 DEA Number Used Fraudulently in Middle Tennessee ►TPA username and password required 3.6.08 TennCare Guidance for Tamper Proof Requirement Effective Apr. 1 3.5.08 DEA Number in Stolen Purse in Jackson ►TPA username and password required 2.28.08 Fraudulent Activity in Middle Tennessee ►TPA username and password required 2.27.08 PDL Changes Effective April 1, 2008 ►TPA username and password required 2.27.08 New Medication Guide for Avandia ►TPA username and password required 2.18.08 RECALL: Duragesic 25 mcg/hr Pain Patches ►TPA username and password required 2.12.08 Fraudulent Prescriptions in Memphis ►TPA username and password required 2.6.08 Update MedicareRx - "NPI Will Be Required for Some Medicare Claims on March 1" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: -- Medicare "What's New" webpage -- Replay of CMS National NPI Roundtable is Available February 6-11 -- Additional information about NPI -- Online NPI Application -- Outcomes® MTM Services Available to 25,000 Tennesseans; Conference Calls Scheduled to Assist with Implementation 1.28.08 NCPA Reports Encouraging News about AWP Lawsuit ►TPA username and password required 1.25.08 Fraudulent Prescriptions in Nashville Area ►TPA username and password required 1.23.08 Knoxville Area Physician Reports Stolen Pad ►TPA username and password required 1.18.08 Fraudulent Prescriptions in Middle Tennessee ►TPA username and password required 1.17.08 Fraudulent Prescriptions in East Tennessee ►TPA username and password required 1.16.08 MidYear Meetings - Register by Jan. 25 for Early-Bird Discount 1.15.08 CMS Hosts DMEPOS Audio Conference Jan. 22 ►TPA username and password required 1.14.08 PTCB Exam Deadline Extended to Jan. 18 ►TPA username and password required 1.9.08 Stolen Prescription Pads in Knoxville Area ►TPA username and password required 1.3.08 ASHP Foundation Research Grant Programs Accepting Applications Now! ►TPA username and password required 1.2.08 Medicare Part D Processing Problems ►TPA username and password required 12.21.07 Update MedicareRx - "CMS Announces Accreditation Deadlines for DMEPOS Suppliers" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: -- CMS Medicare Provider-Supplier Enrollment -- Final Preparations for 2008 are Underway -- Updated vaccine administration billing process for 2008: -- Point-of-Sale Facilitated Enrollment process: -- Best Available Evidence process -- Formulary transition policies (pages 24-32): -- How to handle Medicare Part D complaints (updated from the previously distributed link): -- Part D Reference Guide for Pharmacists—a comprehensive guide to CMS policies as they relate to Medicare Part D -- New consumer tip sheet, in both English and Spanish, for beneficiaries who may need a prescription filled before they have received their new plan ID card: English Spanish -- Continuing Low Income Subsidy (LIS) Outreach Activities -- LIS Outreach Toolkit 12.21.07 Judge in AMP Case Signs Court Order Protecting Pharmacies’ Interests ►TPA username and password required 12.14.07 Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction in AMP Lawsuit - NACDS/NCPA v. HHS/CMS ►TPA username and password required 12.14.07 Dec. 19 - CMS Open Door Forum on DMEPOS Accreditation Deadlines ►TPA username and password required 12.10.07 Medicare Part D Pharmacy Open Door Forum is Tuesday, December 11 ►TPA username and password required -- Pharmacy Tip Sheet- Point of Sale Facilitated Enrollment Process ►TPA username and password required 11.30.07 Fraudulent Prescriptions in Memphis Area ►TPA username and password required 11.30.07 Bogus Computer-Generated Prescriptions in West Tennessee ►TPA username and password required 11.16.07 Update MedicareRx: "Medicare's Fall Open Enrollment Begins" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: -- Medicare website -- Plan Rating Information is Now Online -- Plan rating explanations within CMS web compare tools -- CMS Proposes Two E-Prescribing Standards -- Proposed rule to adopt the Formulary and Benefits and Medication History e-prescribing standards for the prescription drug program -- CMS pilot study providing information on standards in proposed rule 11.15.07 Fraudulent Prescriptions in Memphis Area ►TPA username and password required 11.15.07 Check LEIE and EPLS for Excluded Employees and Contractors ►TPA username and password required 11.14.07 APhA Offers 50% Discount on Dues for New Members ►TPA username and password required 11.7.07 NCPA & NACDS File Lawsuit to Block Medicaid Drug Cuts (AMP Rule) ►TPA username and password required 11.2.07 Rx Pad Stolen in Knoxville ►TPA username and password required 11.1.07 Update MedicareRx:  "CMS Begins Mailing Medicare Part D Re-Assignment and 'Chooser' Notices" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: -- Copies of the letters and more information for people with limited income and resources -- "Medicare & You 2008" Handbooks are Available -- General "Medicare & You 2008" handbook -- Reminder: Part D Best Available Evidence Policy -- Reminder: Previous Guidance to Part D Plan Sponsors 11.1.07 Stolen Rx Pads in Old Hickory, Tennessee ►TPA username and password required 10.31.07 Federal Legislative Alert – Fair Payment Drug Payment Act of 2007 (H.R. 3700 / S. 1951) – Redefines AMP as Basis for Reimbursement Under Medicaid -- TPA's letter to Tennessee's Congressional delegation in support of this bill 10.25.07 Rx Pad Stolen in Memphis ►TPA username and password required 10.24.07 Brenda Warren, D.Ph., Appointed to Board of Pharmacy The Tennessee Pharmacists Association is pleased to announce Governor Bredesen's appointment of Brenda Warren, D.Ph., to a six-year term on the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy.  Dr. Warren, Director of Regulatory Compliance for Accredo Health, Inc., in Memphis, Tennessee, fills the seat vacated by Julie Frazier, D.Ph., of Nashville, Tennessee, upon completion of her term.  Watch for more information in the upcoming Tennessee Pharmacist!  TPA is grateful to Dr. Frazier for her dedication and hard work for the last six years, and we thank Dr. Warren and the others nominated, for their willingness to serve.  10.24.07 Request for Review of ASHP Guidelines ►TPA username and password required 10.23.07 New Regulations for Healthcare Facilities:  Flu Vaccination Declination, Hand Hygiene and Central Venous Catheter Insertion Process 10.18.07 Immunization Delivery Training Program - Dec. 7 10.15.07 Update MedicareRx - "The NPI Is Here. The NPI Is Now. Are You Using It?" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: -- CCRx: Opportunity Knocks! Are You Ready? -- CCRx websites: for pharmacists and  for patients -- CCRx 2008 formularies -- 2008 “Fast Facts” for Tennessee 10.12.07 Update MedicareRx - "Enhanced Tools Will Help Medicare Beneficiaries with Prescription Drug Plan Choices for 2008" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: -- Enhanced Tools -- Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder -- 10.10.07 Press Release about Enhanced Tools -- CMS Takes Steps to Ensure Plan Readiness -- URGENT NOTICE FOR MTM PROVIDERS:  Tennessee Pharmacists Are in Jeopardy of Losing Their MTM Opportunities!  All MTM Cases with a Due Date Prior to September 20, 2007, Must Be Delivered, Documented and Billed by October 31, 2007! -- Get Help with MTM 10.11.07 APhA Seeks Input for Comments to FDA on Behind the Counter Availability of Medications ►TPA username and password required 10.3.07 Urgent Call for Volunteers - This Saturday, October 6th, Dispensary of Hope ►TPA username and password required 10.2.07 Schedule II Prescribing Practices - CE for Pharmacists ►TPA username and password required 10.1.07