A coalition of long-term care pharmacies is calling top federal lawmakers to prioritize the sector for future Provider Relief Fund allocations after receiving no assistance from the reserve since its inception.
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CVS Health and Walgreens have completed their final LTC clinics, and are handing the reins to Omnicare and PharMerica to provide ongoing COVID-19 vaccination services in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities.
Almost all nursing homes in the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care program have scheduled the first of two COVID-19 vaccination clinics, and 88% had completed the first clinic as of Jan. 21.
Early this month, AMFM Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers celebrated the completion of second-round COVID-19 vaccinations at all 19 of its buildings — before many had even offered a first round and nearly two months ahead of the target a national provider organization has set for all U.S. facilities to finish both rounds.
With vaccine approval anticipated shortly, the best communicators will have the smoothest Phase 1 vaccination process, say Omnicare and PharMerica. Community pharmacies have recommendations as well.
The collaboration will add manpower, reporting and other key capabilities to future COVID vaccine delivery in LTC facilities and communities, says Griffin, an Operation Warp Speed adviser.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will allow Medicare-enrolled immunizers to directly bill and receive direct reimbursements from the program for vaccinating Medicare residents in skilled nursing facilities.
Long-term care providers are being urged to participate in a federal vaccination program that would provide COVID-19 vaccines to residents and staff members with no out-of-pocket costs.
Long-term care pharmacies could soon be facing “significant ramifications in the long run” following an executive order signed by President Trump on Sunday. That directive states that the Medicare program should not pay more for Part D prescription drugs than the lowest price. More still needs to be known about possible effects, experts caution.
