Included in this newsletter
- Welcome 2024!
- Performance Improvement Officer- Info Needed!
- CMS Application Fees
- Rite-Aid Closing Additional Stores
- CMS Adds Additional Dispensing Fees for Medicare Part B In-Home Patients
- Lymphedema Compression Treatment
- 2024 HCPCS Code Update
- Corporate Transparency Act Requirement
- Welcome new R.J. Hedges employees
- Updated Policies & Procedures and Forms
- Compliance Corner- Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- Meet our Staff- Tammie
Welcome 2024!
We want to wish you all a prosperous and healthy New Year! Looking back at the past 12 months, we had several updates and improvements to processes and checklists. We’ve embarked on collaborations and partnerships; we’ve had to say goodbye to some clients and employees and welcomed many more into our fold. We’ve seen regulations be redacted, remanded, rewritten, and had many more revised. While we aren’t 100% sure what 2024 will hold for us with regulatory changes, we look forward to discovering, deep diving, and developing items for you and your facilities to Stay Stress Free and In Compliance!
Performance Improvement Officer- information needed
If you have our Compounding Program we've added a new designation! The Performance Improvement Officer is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining an effective, on-going, organization-wide Performance Improvement (PI) program. This includes the following responsibilities:
- Adverse events
- Client/patient complaints
- Client/patient records
- At least one important aspect related to the service provided
- On-going monitoring of processes that involve risks, including infections and communicable diseases.
Please be sure to contact your Project Manager and let them know which employee should be designated for your pharmacy. For more information please reference the Compounding Program - Chapter 9 "Performance Improvement Program"
CMS Application Fees
CMS announced the CY2024 855 application fees have increased to $709.00 per application. This will impact all new applications as well as any reactivations or revalidations.
Rite-Aid Closing Additional Stores
Rite-Aid announced they are closing an additional 53 pharmacies on top of the 255 pharmacies from 2023. These closings are a direct result of DEA non-compliance investigations and fines. If a Rite-Aid near you is closing, this is an opportunity to acquire new patients. However, ensure you know the patient’s Part C Advantage/Part D Plan before you say YES.
The concern is that Rite-Aid may not survive its bankruptcy. HHS and CMS are very worried about the increase in drug prices and the availability of pharmacy healthcare as independent and chain pharmacies continue to close. We have not seen any move on increasing reimbursements. Keep in contact with your U.S. Congressman/woman and both U.S. Senators in your state.
CMS Adds Additional Dispensing Fees for Medicare Part B In-Home Patients
CMS has announced that In-Home immunizations will have an additional dispensing fee of $38.00 for Medicare Part B patients. Part A, in-patient hospitals and skilled nursing facilities are not eligible. (source: In-Home Vaccine Administration: Additional Payment | CMS)
- COVID-19
- Flu
- Hepatitis B
- Pneumococcal
Lymphedema Compression Treatment
CMS has pulled Lymphedema out of the surgical dressing. PECOS has not been updated. If you are accredited with BOC, there is an application plus $150.00 fee for the change. If you are exempt from accreditation, there is nothing to do at this time. Please contact your Project Manager for the application if you are doing lymphedema, so PECOS can be updated when it becomes available.
At this time there are no certification requirements, however, we strongly recommend training to prevent any liability issues. There are several courses available but Klose Training seems to be the best. Klose continues to innovate without compromising the quality of its lymphedema certification. Our recently updated course program consists of 135-hour (75 hours online + 60 hours live) lymphedema education.
2024 HCPCS Code Update
HCPCS Codes for Compression Garments, Endoskeletal Knee, and Lower Limb have been added for Medicare billing. The link is: https://www.dmepdac.com/PDACv2.nsf/DID/JLA02T7KFF
Corporate Transparency Act Requirement
The Corporate Transparency Act went into effect with little information. If you have 21 or more full-time employees, you are exempt from this new law. However, if you have 20 or less employees, then annual reporting is required. All companies formed prior to January 1, 2024 have one year to report. Part II, Company Applicants only applies if the company is registered as a sole proprietor. It is not an easy on-line application to complete. https://www.fincen.gov/boi
Welcome new R.J. Hedges employees
We are happy to announce we have hired 2 new employees: Erin Smay, Project Manager in training, and Karly Lupacchini, Administrative Assistant. They are working through our onboarding process and we look forward to seeing their growth and development within our organization.
Compliance Corner- Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
One overlooked yet crucial tool used to ensure the safety of both staff and customers is the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). These comprehensive documents serve as a treasure trove of information about chemicals and products used in your pharmacy daily. They provide a detailed roadmap of potential hazards, safe handling procedures, and emergency response protocols for dozens of substances within your workspace.
Equipping your staff with the knowledge of where SDSs are located and why the information on them is important, can translate to a proactive approach to safety compliance, mitigating risks, and fostering a secure environment.
In case of an emergency, quick access to these sheets can be the key to informed decision-making. From identifying the proper first aid measures to understanding the potential risks associated with a product, having this information at their fingertips empowers your team to respond swiftly and effectively. We have tried to make it easier for your staff, by placing digital copies of SDSs on our Compliance Portal ®. To date, there are 985 listed and include items from cleaning supplies to batteries, and compound supplies to ice-melt.
Reviewing the information on SDSs can benefit your staff beyond emergency scenarios. Familiarity with proper storage conditions, disposal methods, and exposure controls not only ensures safety but also promotes a culture of responsibility and expertise within your pharmacy.
Safety Data Sheets are more than just regulatory documents, they are a proactive tool that safeguards your team and customers. Ensure your staff knows where to find these invaluable resources, turning potential challenges into opportunities for a safer and more knowledgeable pharmacy environment.
To find the Safety Data Sheets on the Compliance Portal® look in the Compliance Tools & Resources at the bottom of the Home Screen. You can also use the search feature in the top right corner of the Home Screen. If you have a suggestion for an SDS that should be added to the list, please click the link at the top of the SDS landing page.
New and Updated Policies
- Compounding
- Pending Review- Approximately 20 P&P are in final editing with the new ACHC Non-Sterile (PCAP) accreditation standards.
New and Updated Forms & Support Documents
- PICP
- Screening Questionnaire and Consent Form for Child and Teen Immunization
- Screening Questionnaire and Consent Form for Adult Immunization
- Notification of Vaccination Letter
- Authorized Immunizing Pharmacists and Licensed Nurses
Meet our Staff- Tammie Bard
Tammie has been a Project Manager at R.J. Hedges & Associates for 5 years. Her kind soul and can-do attitude make her a cherished addition to our work family. She has a passion for supporting clients and ensures that their needs are met with utmost precision. Tammie not only excels in expert note-taking but also assists our company as a quality control checkpoint with project completion, helps maintain our in-house company's FAQ website, and assists with our phone system.
Beyond the office, Tammie is a travel enthusiast, avid reader, and skilled gardener. Her flair for planning get-togethers with friends extends to her talent for creating delightful charcuterie boards, she embraces each moment spent by the pool or by a campfire with friends.
Richmond, VA, holds a special significance as it is where her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson Tripp reside. As this newsletter is released, a new baby grandson, Garrison, joins the family, making Tripp a proud big brother. It’s safe to say her favorite title is "MeMe”.
Tammie and her husband, Gary, celebrate 37 years of marriage, finding joy in the small PA town where Gary grew up. Weekends are filled with diverse activities, often shared with their youngest daughter, Mikayla. Massanutten, Virginia, holds a special place in their hearts, offering a retreat for shared experiences. Tammie and Gary's involvement in church and community, along with their support for Special Olympics, and various Autism organizations, reflects their commitment to making a positive impact.
Her dedication to clients, passion for life's joys, and commitment to community make her an invaluable asset to R.J. Hedges & Associates. Thank you, Tammie, for your exceptional contributions and the positive energy you bring to our work family!
