Pharmacy Immunizations – It’s Far More than Flu Shots

Jeff Hedges, co-host of the Pharmacy Compliance Guide brings us new insights into the Business of Pharmacy & keeping your Community Pharmacy Compliant. This week we focus on Pharmacy Immunizations. 

Can every pharmacists give immunizations?Absolutely, flu is the most recognized but most states will permit pharmacist to provide most immunizations to patients

Are there any restrictions?Yes, each state sets its own requirements for what a pharmacist can administerFor example:

there are age limits for certain vaccinesome vaccine are prohibited by pharmacists to dispenseLocation of vaccines to be administer

Is there any license requirements?Yes, each states sets its requirementsMost states require a separate immunization licenseSome states have the immunizations within the state issued pharmacist license and scope of practice

Who can administer vaccines in the pharmacy?Licensed pharmacistsRegistered nursesLicensed interns under the supervision of a pharmacist when permitted by state law

Are there any training requirements?The normal requirements areComplete an American Pharmacist Association approved Immunization courseComplete and maintain an American Red Cross or American Heart Association CPR course and certificationMaintain state licensure if required

What is needed for Medicare immunizations?I prefer a CMS 855B application for the pharmacyThis give the pharmacy the PTAN rather than the pharmacistSubmitted through the regional CMS administratorApplication feeSeparate PTAN is issued

How do you bill for immunizations?It depends on the patients insuranceMedicare

Using a billing company, such as Change Health or OmniSys Medicare & Medicaid and Third Party Payor

A more robust billing company like TransactRx, Allegiant Billing, Electronic Billing ServiceMedicare Part C Advantage Plans

Bin numbers through the pharmacy softwarePrivate payors

Bin numbers through the pharmacy software

What other types of immunizations can a pharmacist do?Think outside your box!

Contact local businessesContact local schools and universitiesContact local churches and places of worship who are going on mission tripsThink different types of immunizations

Travel Vaccines

International travel requires vaccinesWho provides travel vaccines

Physicians – NoCounty Department of Health – NoMost pharmacies – NoYou – AbsolutelyAdvantages

You can go to churches and other places of worshipYou can go to businesses who travel internationallyColleges and Universities travel extensively throughout the globeAll of these vaccines are CASH!Who sets the price – YOU!Disadvantages

You are letting someone else do these immunizations

What type of order is needed to administer a vaccine?Written prescriptions

Legal order to administer the vaccineStanding Orders

Developed by the CDC and IACSigned by a physicianShould be renewed annuallyExcept in CA and ID where the Pharmacist is now permitted to sign standing ordersEmergency Protocols

Emergency treatment procedures when a patient has an adverse reactionSigned by a physicianExcept in CA and ID where the Pharmacist is now permitted to sign standing orders

However, I personally recommend that a physician still sign this order to protect the pharmacist

Am I required to have Policies and Procedures?By federal statute, NoStrongly recommended by APhARequired to be submitted to the liability carrier when an adverse reaction occursCheck your insurance policy for your compliance requirements

Where do I turn for help and guidance?Well that is where my company comes inWe work with the IAC and CDC in developing policies and procedures, standing orders and many other documentsAll are contained within our Pharmacy Immunization Compliance Program which is maintain as changes occur from the CDC and IAC

CONTACT RJ HEDGES TODAY: 

R.J. Hedges & Associates

163 9th Street PO Box H  

New Florence, PA 15944  

Phone: (724) 357-8380  

Email: sales@rjhedges.com

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