News at a Glance 2007 ALSO VISIT: News at a Glance - Current 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.  TPA members can access the following articles and more on our FRAUD/ABUSE, TENNCARE, COVER TENNESSEE, MEDICARE, LEGISLATIVE NEWS, and IMMUNIZATION and OTHER PHARMACY NEWS & TOPICS pages. 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 NAPLEX to Be Reinstated as of 10/5/07 ►TPA username and password required 10.1.07 TennCare Notice:  Tamper Resistant Delay ►TPA username and password required 9.30.07 It's Official! Medicaid Tamper Requirement is Delayed 6 Months! ►TPA username and password required 9.28.07 Bill Delaying Medicaid Tamper Requirement Goes to President ►TPA username and password required 9.28.07 Update MedicareRx - "CMS Announces 2008 Part D Plan Options…" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: -- Announcement by Mike Leavitt of HHS -- List of state-by-state fact sheets -- Fact sheet for Tennessee -- Organizations offering stand-alone prescription drug plans nationwide -- 2008 plan options nationwide -- 2008 plan options in Tennessee -- Tennessee Pharmacists Are in Jeopardy of Losing Their MTM Opportunities -- NCPA: Remove and Destroy All "Community Care Rx" Materials -- Timeline: Limited Income Subsidy (LIS) and More -- Standalone Timeline document 9.28.07 Tennessee Pharmacists Are in Danger of Losing Their MTM Opportunities! 9.26.07 Medicaid Tamper Requirement - Victory is Near! ►TPA username and password required 9.26.07 Rx Pads Stolen from Doctor's Office in Lewisburg ►TPA username and password required 9.26.07 Congressional Action on Tamper Requirement ►TPA username and password required 9.25.07 Fraudulent Prescriptions in Memphis Area ►TPA username and password required 9.24.07 Board of Pharmacy Moves to New Offices ►TPA username and password required 9.24.07 TennCare & Tamper-Resistant Pads: Revised Information ►TPA username and password required 9.21.07 Update MedicareRx - "Annual LIS Re-determination Efforts Are Underway... ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: -- Notice for beneficiaries who were automatically eligible in 2007, but will not automatically receive the LIS in 2008 -- Notice: "Social Security Administration Review of Your Eligibility for Extra Help” -- Notice for beneficiaries who continue to qualify for extra help in 2008 but will have a change in their copayment level -- LIS Rider -- CMS is Providing Materials to Assist Limited Income Beneficiaries -- CMS web page: Limited Income and Resources -- LIS Partner Training Update -- National Medicare Training Program website 9.19.07 Fraudulent Prescriptions in Memphis Area ►TPA username and password required 9.18.07 October 1- Smoking Banned in Pharmacies; Signs Required ►TPA username and password required 9.14.07 Fraudulent Prescriptions in Memphis Area ►TPA username and password required 9.14.07 NPI Registry, Downloadable File and Final Module Now Online ►TPA username and password required 9.14.07 TennCare Waiver Now Extended to Sept. 30 9.14.07 Action Needed- CMS Issues FAQs on Tamper Resistant Rx Pads ►TPA username and password required 9.12.07 URGENT:  Help Delay 10/1 Deadline for Tamper-Resistant Pads  ►TPA username and password required 9.11.07 TPA Congratulates New Board of Pharmacy Executive Director 9.11.07 CMS Releases List of Part D Beneficiary Mailings  ►TPA username and password required 9.6.07 Incorrect Implementation Schedule Published  ►TPA username and password required It has come to CMS' attention that a trade publication recently published a schedule of implementation dates, by contractor, for claim rejections... 9.4.07 BCBST Pharmacy Workshops Across Tennessee 8.31.07 Update MedicareRx - "NPI Registry to Be Operational Sept. 4, Downloadable the Following Week" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: -- CMS NPI web page -- September 3, Medicare carriers and DME MACs begin transitioning systems to reject claims when NPI and Legacy Provider Identifier cannot be found on the Medicare Crosswalk -- NPPES Data Verification -- Medicare Efforts to Minimize Rejections and Suspensions -- Transcript for Common Billing Errors Roundtable Now Available 8.31.07 Community MTM is Now Mirixa 8.27.07 Oct. 1- Tamper Resistant Rx Pads Required for TennCare ►TPA username and password required 8.27.07 CMS to LTC Pharmacies- Work with Plans on Copay Problems ►TPA username and password required 8.27.07 NAPLEX Administration Suspended ►TPA username and password required 8.24.07 Forged Prescriptions in Middle Tennessee ►TPA username and password required 8.24.07 NCPA Exec - Patient Service Opportunities Beyond MTM ►TPA username and password required 8.17.07 On Oct. 1, TennCare Scripts Must Use Tamper-Resistant Pads ►TPA username and password required 8.15.07 Medicaid-Medicare Crossover Claims ►TPA username and password required 8.13.07 Update MedicareRx - "Deadline Extended: NPI Changes Must Be Submitted to NPPES by August 20; Dissemination of Data Now Slated to Begin September 4" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: -- Online location for editing provider NPI records -- Download NPI Application/Update Form -- NPI Enumerator Customer Service Email -- Additional information about NPI Data Dissemination -- NPI Registry - operational September 4, 2007 -- CMS Releases Information to Help Partners Assist Limited Income Medicare Beneficiaries -- Additional Information about Medicare Part D and LIS Program 8.10.07 Prescription Forgeries in Memphis Area ►TPA username and password required 8.9.07 Controlled Substance Database is Temporarily Unavailable ►TPA username and password required 8.7.07 Stolen Rx Slips - 100 Physicians' Offices Hit ►TPA username and password required 8.3.07 CoverRx Program Updates ►TPA username and password required 7.31.07 Forged Prescriptions from Nashville Medical Group ►TPA username and password required 7.30.07 Fraudulent Prescriptions in East Tennessee ►TPA username and password required 7.25.07 TPA Annual Convention:  Know Before You Go 7.25.07 Fraudulent Call-In Prescriptions in Knoxville Area ►TPA username and password required 7.24.07 Fraudulent Prescriptions in Memphis Area ►TPA username and password required 7.23.07 IMPORTANT- TPA Pharmacists Immunization Survey 2007 7.20.07 Compounding Survey - USP Requests Feedback 7.19.07 Federal Legislative Alert - URGENT: Encourage Your U.S. Representative to 1) Co-Sponsor H.R. 3090 to Limit the Tamper-Resistant Rx Pad Medicaid Requirement and 2) Sign “Dear Colleague” Letter ►TPA username and password required -- Text of H.R. 3090 -- Dear Colleague Letter -- Letter to CMS from the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations 7.18.07 Volunteers needed for Medical/Dental Trip to Belize, Central America.  August 11 is deadline to submit licenses. 7.16.07 TennCare Contract with Feds Still Unresolved ►TPA username and password required 7.13.07 Update MedicareRx - "Planning for Emergency Response... with Community Pharmacies" ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: -- CMS e-Prescribing Exemption for Computer-Generated Faxes — Comments Now Accepted Online -- Submit Comments to CMS Online 7.10.07 TennCare- PDL Changes Effective August 1, 2007 ►TPA username and password required 7.10.07 Update Medicare Rx - "NPI Changes Must Be Submitted to NPPES by July 16 to Be Reflected in Initial Downloadable File" ►TPA username and password required 7.9.07 Fraudulent Prescriptions ►TPA username and password required 7.6.07 Final Rule on Medicaid AMP FUL is Now on Display ►TPA username and password required Includes the following links and topics: -- Final Rule -- CMS Press Release -- Goals of the DRA… more appropriate payment for generic drugs and transparency -- CMS encourages states to pay pharmacies adequate dispensing fees -- What does the final rule do? -- When does the regulation become effective? -- DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Deadline Extended -- CMS-approved Deemed Accreditation Organizations -- Clarification… Timeline for eRx Proposal 7.6.07 CDC 2007 Recommendations for Flu Vaccine and Antiviral Agents ►TPA username and password required 7.5.07 Fraudulent Prescriptions ►TPA username and password required 7.5.07 Board of Pharmacy Hearings Scheduled ►TPA username and password required 7.3.07 Online License Renewal Temporarily Unavailable ►TPA username and password required 6.29.07 Stolen GDNA Badges ►TPA username and password required 6.28.07 Notice(s) Required in All Pharmacies by July 1 -- General Information - Effective July 1, 2007, all pharmacies are required to post three separate notices containing information about programs and services for abused persons, specifically, victims of elder abuse, domestic violence and teen dating violence. The notices can be displayed as three separate posters or as a single poster. With either option, the content of the notice must satisfy all requirements of Tennessee Code Annotated § 71-6-121...  Read complete article ►TPA username and password required -- Locate your county's district attorney general's office -- Information on adult protective services -- Information on domestic abuse -- ORDER FORM FOR for 3-in-1 POSTERS -- Tennessee Code Annotated § 71-6-121 -- Public Chapter 446 -- Required TennCare notice -- Required Medicare Part D notice -- LINKS TO DOWNLOADABLE POSTERS: ►TPA username and password required POSTERS MUST BE PRINTED ON 8½" x 14" (LEGAL-SIZED) PAPER ● English, Color ● English, Black & White ● Spanish, Color ● Spanish, Black & White 6.26.07 Interactive Website for Tennessee Health Data ►TPA username and password required 6.25.07 Urgent Notice from DEA- Hydrocodone Products Stolen ►TPA username and password required 6.25.07 Tamper-Resistant Rx Pads Required for Medicaid Reimbursement as of Oct. 1 ►TPA username and password required 6.21.07 New Epilepsy Drug Law Effective July 1, 2007 ►TPA username and password required 6.21.07 Update MedicareRx - "CMS Announces Plan for Making NPIs Available" ►TPA username and password required -- NPPES Data Dissemination Notice in the Federal Register --Anticipated Medicaid AMP/FUL Implementation Timeline --TPA Annual Convention Registration and Room Reservations 6.20.07 Controlled Substance Database - Online Access Phase Begins 6.11.07 Community MTM Is Now Mirixa Corporation, Inc.  ►TPA username and password required: -- Press Release -- Questions and Answers 6.11.07 TennCare:  Additional PDL Changes Effective July 2 ►TPA username and password required 5.31.07 Technicians- IGNORE Privilege Tax Returns for Now   ►TPA username and password required 5.30.07 TennCare:  7/2 is New Effective Date for High Potency Statins PDL Change  ►TPA username and password required 5.30.07 Legislative Update:   ►TPA username and password required -- Board of Pharmacy Transfer- PASSED! -- PBM Act - SIGNED! 5.30.07 Sheila Mitchell Named Dean of New Union Univ. School of Pharmacy  ►TPA username and password required 5.29.07 Technicians Billed for Privilege Tax  ►TPA username and password required 5.29.07 Call-in Prescription Forgeries  ►TPA username and password required 5.29.07 Medicare Information (in Independent Link):  ►TPA username and password required --CMS Releases NPI Data Dissemination Policy... --...with More NPI Information to Come --DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program—Bidders Conferences Now Scheduled 5.29.07 Medicare Part D Overpayment Recoupment  ►TPA username and password required 5.23.07 TennCare:  High Potency Statin PDL Changes ►TPA username and password required 5.17.07 Legislative Alert - URGENT - Action Needed ►TPA username and password required Legislation to Move the Board of Pharmacy to the Department of Health Goes to House Finance Committee and to Full Senate for Consideration 5.15.07 TennCare PDL Changes Effective May 22 ►TPA username and password required 5.15.07 Caremark Clarifies Requirement for NPI/DEA Numbers ►TPA username and password required 5.15.07 Official Caremark Communication Regarding 99¢ Charge per Claim Without NPI ►TPA username and password required 5.14.07 TennCare Further Clarifies Injectable Drugs that Are Not Self-Administered ►TPA username and password required 5.11.07 Caremark to Charge 99¢ per Claim Without NPI ►TPA username and password required 5.11.07 Legislative Alert - URGENT - Action Needed ►TPA username and password required: -- Legislation to Move the Board of Pharmacy to the Department of Health is Moving Through Committees -- Pharmacy Benefit Management Act PASSED; Legislation is on Its Way to Governor for Signature 5.10.07 LAW REVIEW (MJPE) for All Students Scheduled for May 22 in Memphis 5.10.07 Compounders - Ensure Glycerin is Tested for DEG ►TPA username and password required 5.9.07 REMINDER-  Deadline to Submit NCPA-Pfizer Digest Survey is Tuesday, May 15 ►TPA username and password required 5.4.07 Legislative Alert - URGENT - Action Needed ►TPA username and password required: Legislation Moving Forward to Move the Board of Pharmacy to the Department of Health, Division of Health-Related Boards 5.2.07 Legislative Alert - URGENT - Action Needed  ►TPA username and password required: -- State:  PBM Act - Legislation as Amended Passed Out of Committee to Full House and Senate -- Federal:  Urge Sen. Bob Corker to Oppose Drug Importation -- Federal:  Tim Tucker Testifies - Pharmacists Now Urged to Communicate with U.S. Senators about Medicare Part D Concerns 5.2.07 Tim Tucker's Testimony Before Senate Finance Committee, about Medicare Part D 4.30.07 UnitedHealthcare: Tier Changes for Asthma Inhalers ►TPA username and password required 4.30.07 TennCare Transition to NPI ►TPA username and password required 4.26.07 URGENT: ACTION NEEDED NOW!  Pharmacy Benefits Management Act - Legislation Amended AGAIN and Moving Forward to Set Audit and File Update Standards for PBMs in Tennessee    ►TPA username and password required 4.24.07 TennCare PDL Changes Effective May 15 ►TPA username and password required 4.23.07 TennCare Clarifies Injectable Drugs that Are Not Self-Administered ►TPA username and password required 4.23.07 Stolen Rx Blanks and Forged Checks in Kingsport, TN  ►TPA username and password required 4.23.07 CoverRx Re-opens Enrollment   ►TPA username and password required 4.20.07 URGENT: ACTION NEEDED NOW!  Pharmacy Benefits Management Act - Legislation Amended and Moving Forward to Set Audit and File Update Standards for PBMs in Tennessee  ►TPA username and password required 4.13.07 URGENT:  ACTION NEEDED NOW!  Pharmacy Benefits Management Act - Legislation Moving Forward to Set Standards for PBMs in Tennessee  ►TPA username and password required 4.9.07 TennCare:  Products that Are Not Self-Administered ►TPA username and password required 4.5.07 Stolen Prescription Pad Nashville General Hospital has contacted the Tennessee Pharmacists Association to report a stolen prescription pad.  A fraudulent prescription for Adderrall has reportedly been presented in the Madison area with the names Willie Johnson as the patient and Dr. Richmond Akatue as the prescriber.  Prescriptions for other drugs using different names could also be presented. Nashville General Hospital’s prescriptions for Schedule II drugs are normally printed on pink paper.  If you are presented with a Nashville General Hospital prescription that you believe to be fraudulent, please contact Dr. Akatue at the Internal Medicine Clinic, 615-341-4232.  The office is closed now through Sunday but is usually open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST.  Click here for protected contact information.  ►TPA username and password required 4.5.07 Pharmacies Offered Contracts to Fill Internet Prescriptions 4.5.07 "Understanding Behavioral Change to Help Improve Diabetes Outcomes" 4.4.07 Nationall Public Health Week:  Disaster Preparedness The Tennessee Department of Health has asked the Tennessee Pharmacists Association to make members aware that April 2-8 is National Public Health Week.  The theme for National Public Health Week 2007 is “Take the First Step! Preparedness and Public Health Threats:  Addressing the Unique Needs of the Nation’s Vulnerable Populations.”   Press Release 4.3.07 URGENT: Pharmacists' Opinions Needed for Pending Legislative Action ►TPA username and password required 3.30.07 March 31 is Deadline for Part D Claims ►TPA username and password required 3.30.07 URGENT: Prepare for Aftermath of 20/20 Report on Rx Errors ►TPA username and password required 3.30.07 Two New Health Plans Take Over TennCare Coverage in Middle Tennessee 3.29.07 Update MedicareRx - "DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor Website" with link to new website ►TPA username and password required -- "Notice to Suppliers Interested in Competitive Bidding" -- "2008 Call Letter Released for Comment - Comments due April 3" with link to Call Letter and Comment Chart -- "Dynamic PA for Medicare B Versus D Coverage Determination" -- "Humana: 90-Day Supply Program" with link to Pharmacy Bulletin #35 -- "Revised Beneficiary Notice Clarifies Plan Obligations for Retro-Medicaid Eligibility" with link to auto-enrollment letter for beneficiaries and instructions for its use 3.28.07 "Cover Tennessee" Update ►TPA username and password required 3.28.07 TennCare: Lantus OptiClick & More Changes on 4/17/07 ►TPA username and password required 3.23.07 Armed Robbery Alert! 3.23.07 Fraudulent Rx in Memphis Area 3.23.07 TennCare: Begin Using NPI 4/24/07 (with corrected information from TennCare) ►TPA username and password required 3.14.07 Medication and Safety Symposium, March 27 (registration deadline March 20) 3.8.07 Update MedicareRx - "HIPAA Security Guidance Reminder"; main article includes link to information about EPHI and HIPAA Privacy Rule (TPA username and password required) --"CCRx: Welcome Review E-mail Reminders" includes link to CCRx e-mail support --"New Medicare Excluded Drugs" includes link to list of medications and alternatives --"Humana Clarifies Part D and Part B Benefits" includes link to Bulletin 3.5.07 TennCare: Zoloft® and Sertraline PDL Update  ►TPA username and password required 2.28.07 CoverRx Brand Drug Limits Effective March 2007 ►TPA username and password required 2.28.07 NCPDP Extends Deadline to MARCH 15 for Receipt of NPI Information ►TPA username and password required 2.28.07 TennCare - New MCO for Some Patients in Middle TN ►TPA username and password required 2.14.07 URGENT:  ACTION NEEDED NOW!  Deadline to Submit Comments to CMS on AMP Rule is February 20, 2007 Information (Legislative Alert) Model Comments for Pharmacists Model Comments for Student Pharmacists Model Comments for Pharmacy Technicians 2.12.07 Update MedicareRx - "Medicare Part D Generic Drug Utilization Rates Continue to Rise…" ►TPA username and password required -- Main article includes link to CMS Press Release -- "Assisting Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries is an Ongoing Task …CCRx Welcome Review" includes link to "Helping People with Medicare Apply for Extra Help" -- "NPI: Get It. Share It. Use It"; includes links to CMS NPI Page, and "If Your Independent Pharmacy Does Not Yet Have an NPI,Contact CMS, NOT NCPDP" 2.9.07 TennCare Needs Providers' NPIs ►TPA username and password required 2.8.07 TennCare PDL Changes Effective 3.1.07 ►TPA username and password required 2.8.07 CoverRx: Overview for Pharmacists CoverRx is Tennessee's statewide pharmacy assistance program implemented January 1, 2007, to assist those who have a critical need for medication but have no pharmacy coverage. The Tennessee Department of Finance & Administration/Division of Insurance has developed an overview of CoverRx for pharmacists and has asked the Tennessee Pharmacists Association to make it available to members.   ►TPA username and password required 2.7.07 Update MedicareRx - "Mandated Formulary Deletions" and more ►TPA username and password required Also in this update:  -- Pharmacists and Patients Pleased with CCRx Welcome Review 1.31.07 TennCare Processing Problem UPDATE ►TPA username and password required 1.31.07 TennCare Incorrectly Rejecting Claims ►TPA username and password required 1.26.07 Update on AMP - GAO Information:  Comments Needed by February 15 1.22.07 TennCare Prescription Limit Override Process ►TPA username and password required 1.22.07 Free Pharmacist Training for CCRx Medication Reviews 1.18.07 Pharmacies Offered Contracts to Fill Internet Prescriptions ►TPA username and password required 1.17.07 Update MedicareRx - "Limited Special Enrollment Period for Some PDP Enrollees" and more ►TPA username and password required Also in this Update: -- No Late Fee for Low-Income Part D Enrollees -- 4-Step-POS Facilitated Enrollment Process for Pharmacists -- Community MTM Q&A:  "All of my MTM cases that used to be in my Assigned Patients queue were missing.  What happened?" 1.17.07 TennCare Notice: Prescription Limit Override Process Effective 2/1/07 ►TPA username and password required 1.11.07 TennCare Notice:   PDL and Other Changes Effective 2/7/07  ►TPA username and password required 1.10.07 Roger Davis Named Dean of New Lipscomb College of Pharmacy 1.10.07 Drug Topics Seeks Oldest Pharmacist For its 150th anniversary issue in March, Drug Topics plans an article honoring America's oldest pharmacies and oldest pharmacists who still have an active license.  The author has asked state pharmacy associations for their help in this endeavor.  If you can provide any information or assistance, please send it in a reply to this message, or call Kelly at 615-256-3023.  The author must submit the completed story by early February, so please respond as soon as possible.  Thank you! 1.10.07 Humana's PharmacyLink:  Drug List Changes, Audits, and "Complete Prescription Drug Plan"►TPA username and password required 1.8.07 TennCare Notice: Zocor® and Simvastatin PDL Update ►TPA username and password required 1.8.07 This is National Folic Acid Awareness Week! This week - January 8-14 - is National Folic Acid Awareness Week!  The National Council on Folic Acid (NCFA) enjoyed a tremendous response to their efforts to get the word out about National Folic Awareness Week - so much so that they were unable to fulfill 100% of the requests received for materials.  If you did not receive all of the materials you requested, NCFA apologizes for the inconvenience and encourages you to visit their website, http://www.folicacidinfo.org/campaign, where you can download materials free of charge.  Also, you can promote and share new resources like the online folic acid quiz (http://www.folicacidinfo.org/the_quiz.php) in Spanish and English and e-cards (http://www.folicacidinfo.org/postcard.php), also available in both languages. 1.5.07 Unicare Part D Processing Temporarily Unavailable The Tennessee Pharmacists Association has learned that the processor for Unicare inadvertently turned off all Medicare Part D patients this morning.  They are working to resolve the problem and advise pharmacists unable to process Unicare claims for Medicare Part D patients to retry later this morning.   1.4.07 Bogus Prescriptions Phoned in for Hydrocodone Dr. Mollie Dodson (931-739-0048) of Sparta, TN, has reported that someone has been phoning in prescriptions for Hydrocodone, usually as Vicodin ES.  Dr. Dodson will never phone in narcotics, but will instead give a written prescription when she deems it to be necessary.  Law enforcement has been notified. 1.2.07 Update MedicareRx - "Part D Vaccine Administration... Change Effective January 1, 2007"  ►TPA username and password required Also covered in this update:  -- Medicare Part D Deadline Extended for Some -- Reminder about Communicating Beneficiary Rights 1.2.07 Stolen Prescription Pad A prescription pad has been stolen from Watauga Orthopaedics (423-282-9011) in Johnson City, Tennessee, and has been used to write bogus prescriptions presented to pharmacies in Erwin, Greeneville and other locations.  In at least one instance, the prescription was written for "Lynn Alshi" for Oxycontin 40; the man insisted on brand, had no insurance and no ID. ALSO VISIT: News at a Glance - Current News at a Glance - 2006 News at a Glance - 2005 News at a Glance - 2004