Published On: August 29, 2017562 words3.3 min readCategories: ArticleTags: ,

Share this story:

Historic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey has left widespread damage in southeastern Texas.

  • The Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 1135 waiver program is now available. Certain requirements for Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP are modified to ensure needs are met and providers and suppliers acting in good faith are reimbursed.
  • Texas Health and Human Services’ Vendor Drug Program has Hurricane Harvey Guidance from the State Board of Pharmacy.
  • NACDS partner Healthcare Ready has activated Rx Open, an interactive map that helps patients and providers find nearby open pharmacies in areas impacted by the disaster. The map will be updated daily throughout the federally declared disaster. If your status is not accurate or you want to enroll your pharmacy, please send an email with your name, the name of the pharmacy, and the NCPDP or NPI number for the pharmacy to Healthcare Ready at ContactUs@HealthcareReady.org. If there are any needs regarding infrastructure, transportation or supplies, please contact Healthcare Ready at alerts@healthcareready.org or 1-866-247-2694. Healthcare Ready is helping route and coordinate supply donations. If your pharmacy has a healthcare supply need or your pharmacy is able to donate supplies, please email Alerts@HealthcareReady.org. Healthcare Ready is coordinating directly with some organizations to supply trained healthcare professional volunteers. Email Alerts@HealthcareReady.org if you are a trained health care professional and interested in volunteering, so your information can be shared with organizations that need a pharmacist.
  • The Food and Drug Administration has information regarding insulin storage and switching between products in an emergency.
  • The Department of Transportation’s Operating Administration is providing resources regarding delivery of emergency equipment and supplies to the region.
  • The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) is on standby should Texas officials request activation. When activated, EPAP functions as a third-party payer to process claims for certain kinds of prescription drugs, specific medical supplies, vaccines and some forms of durable medical equipment (DME) for eligible individuals in a federally identified disaster area. Patients in need of prescription coverage are also encouraged to apply for the free Partnership for Prescription Assistance program (PPARx), a pharmaceutical industry initiative that helps patients find a prescription program or free/low-cost clinic based on their needs.
  • National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) members have approved the most effective method for overriding “refill too soon” rejections during a disaster: using the Submission Clarification Code 13—Payer-Recognized Emergency/Disaster Assistance Request. The pharmacist needs to indicate that an override is needed based on an emergency/disaster situation recognized by the payer. Get more NCPDP information on emergency preparedness.
  • The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy and the Arkansas Pharmacists Association issued guidance on August 29 regarding Arkansas Act 282 of 2017, Act 282, which allows pharmacists to dispense a one-time emergency refill of maintenance prescription medications that applies to Hurricane Harvey evacuees.
  • The Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy announced that Governor Mary Fallin (R-OK) has declared a disaster emergency in the State of Oklahoma in response to those Gulf Coast states affected by Hurricane Harvey. Pharmacies are allowed to emergency fill medications for displaced people. Please see OAC 535:13 (Emergency/Disaster Prescription Drug Rules) for specific rules.