Monthly Newsletter

HR1474, the “Prompt Payment Legislation”, has just recently been co-signed by Congressman Rehberg. This issue was previously mentioned on April 13, 2007 that you can find at GrizRPh News in the GrizRPh Archive . Thanks to all those that phoned and/or emailed Congressman Rehberg…Strong Work!!!! HR1474 was introduced to the House by Congressman Berry (AR), Jones (NC), Herseth (SD), and Wicker (SD), which is the Fair and Speedy Treatment (FAST) of Medicare Prescription Drug Claims Act of 2007. The plan calls for a 14 day turn around interval for payment (much like Medicaid) and would be very beneficial to ALL pharmacies!!!!! We need to thank Congressman Rehberg for showing his interest in continually helping pharmacists and pharmacies statewide. You can do so by visiting his email page or picking up the phone to say: “thank you for co-sponsoring HR1474 (the “Prompt Payment Legislation) and preserving the future of Montana Pharmacists”. All representative contact information can be easily accessible at www.grizrph.com/repcontact.htm .
In other news…the Montana Pharmacy Association has been working very hard to bring us all up to speed on a variety of topics including: a letter to Senator Baucus to introduce a bill to the Senate on prompt legislation such as HR1474. In addition, it would be very helpful to also include topics such as the “Community Pharmacy Fairness Act” (HR 971 as previously discussed on GrizRPh.com on April 5, 2007), which you can view at http://grizrph.blogspot.com/ … and click on April in GrizRPh Archive.

Please visit the Montana Pharmacy Association Homepage (http://www.rxmt.org/ ) to view this letter as well as: good rates on liability insurance for any individual pharmacist needing it…especially for the Montana PharmAssist program, and good news on Medicaid AMP…6 month extension at GrizRPh News or rxmt.org, and Tamper-Resistant Prescriptions to be Required for Medicaid Reimbursement as of October 1, 2007. The emergency supplemental appropriations bill (Public Law No: 110-28) that was recently passed includes a provision that effective October 1, 2007 Medicaid outpatient drugs will be reimbursable only if non-electronic written prescriptions are executed on a tamper-resistant pad. Please read more at http://www.rxmt.org/ for complete information.

Please Contact GrizRph.com for any concerns, or issues that you would like to share. GrizRPh.com is designed to be an interactive network where pharmacists and others may share information in which to speak in one voice. Please share your thoughts, ideas and concerns on how to better your network to achieve these goals. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Eric Shields, Pharm.D.
GrizRPh.com