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 administer
For example:

there are age limits for certain vaccine
some vaccine are prohibited by pharmacists to dispense
Location of vaccines to be administer

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

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

Are there any training requirements?
The normal requirements are
Complete an American Pharmacist Association approved Immunization course
Complete and maintain an American Red Cross or American Heart Association CPR course and certification
Maintain state licensure if required

What is needed for Medicare immunizations?
I prefer a CMS 855B application for the pharmacy
This give the pharmacy the PTAN rather than the pharmacist
Submitted through the regional CMS administrator
Application fee
Separate PTAN is issued

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

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 Service
Medicare Part C Advantage Plans

Bin numbers through the pharmacy software
Private payors

Bin numbers through the pharmacy software

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

Contact local businesses
Contact local schools and universities
Contact local churches and places of worship who are going on mission trips
Think different types of immunizations

Travel Vaccines

International travel requires vaccines
Who provides travel vaccines

Physicians – No
County Department of Health – No
Most pharmacies – No
You – Absolutely
Advantages

You can go to churches and other places of worship
You can go to businesses who travel internationally
Colleges and Universities travel extensively throughout the globe
All 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 vaccine
Standing Orders

Developed by the CDC and IAC
Signed by a physician
Should be renewed annually
Except in CA and ID where the Pharmacist is now permitted to sign standing orders
Emergency Protocols

Emergency treatment procedures when a patient has an adverse reaction
Signed by a physician
Except 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, No
Strongly recommended by APhA
Required to be submitted to the liability carrier when an adverse reaction occurs
Check your insurance policy for your compliance requirements

Where do I turn for help and guidance?
Well that is where my company comes in
We work with the IAC and CDC in developing policies and procedures, standing orders and many other documents
All 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

Pharmacy Immunizations &ndash; It&rsquo;s Far More than Flu Shots
Jeff Hedges, co-host of the Pharmacy Compliance Guide brings us new insights into the Business of Pharmacy &amp; keeping your Community Pharmacy Compliant. This week we focus on&nbsp;Pharmacy Immunizations.&nbsp;
Can every pharmacists give immunizations?
<ul>
<li>Absolutely, flu is the most recognized but most states will permit pharmacist to provide most immunizations to patients</li>
</ul>
Are there any restrictions?
<ul>
<li>Yes, each state sets its own requirements for what a pharmacist can administer</li>
<li>For example:
<ul>
<li>there are age limits for certain vaccine</li>
<li>some vaccine are prohibited by pharmacists to dispense</li>
<li>Location of vaccines to be administer</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Is there any license requirements?
<ul>
<li>Yes, each states sets its requirements</li>
<li>Most states require a separate immunization license</li>
<li>Some states have the immunizations within the state issued pharmacist license and scope of practice</li>
</ul>
Who can administer vaccines in the pharmacy?
<ul>
<li>Licensed pharmacists</li>
<li>Registered nurses</li>
<li>Licensed interns under the supervision of a pharmacist when permitted by state law</li>
</ul>
Are there any training requirements?
<ul>
<li>The normal requirements are</li>
<li>Complete an American Pharmacist Association approved Immunization course</li>
<li>Complete and maintain an American Red Cross or American Heart Association CPR course and certification</li>
<li>Maintain state licensure if required</li>
</ul>
What is needed for Medicare immunizations?
<ul>
<li>I prefer a CMS 855B application for the pharmacy</li>
<li>This give the pharmacy the PTAN rather than the pharmacist</li>
<li>Submitted through the regional CMS administrator</li>
<li>Application fee</li>
<li>Separate PTAN is issued</li>
</ul>
How do you bill for immunizations?
<ul>
<li>It depends on the patients insurance</li>
<li>Medicare
<ul>
<li>Using a billing company, such as Change Health or OmniSys&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Medicare &amp; Medicaid and Third Party Payor
<ul>
<li>A more robust billing company like TransactRx, Allegiant Billing, Electronic Billing Service</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Medicare Part C Advantage Plans
<ul>
<li>Bin numbers through the pharmacy software</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Private payors
<ul>
<li>Bin numbers through the pharmacy software</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
What other types of immunizations can a pharmacist do?
<ul>
<li>Think outside your box!
<ul>
<li>Contact local businesses</li>
<li>Contact local schools and universities</li>
<li>Contact local churches and places of worship who are going on mission trips</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Think different types of immunizations
<ul>
<li>Travel Vaccines
<ul>
<li>International travel requires vaccines</li>
<li>Who provides travel vaccines
<ul>
<li>Physicians &ndash; No</li>
<li>County Department of Health &ndash; No</li>
<li>Most pharmacies &ndash; No</li>
<li>You &ndash; Absolutely</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Advantages
<ul>
<li>You can go to churches and other places of worship</li>
<li>You can go to businesses who travel internationally</li>
<li>Colleges and Universities travel extensively throughout the globe</li>
<li>All of these vaccines are CASH!</li>
<li>Who sets the price &ndash; YOU!</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Disadvantages
<ul>
<li>You are letting someone else do these immunizations</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
What type of order is needed to administer a vaccine?
<ul>
<li>Written prescriptions
<ul>
<li>Legal order to administer the vaccine</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Standing Orders
<ul>
<li>Developed by the CDC and IAC</li>
<li>Signed by a physician</li>
<li>Should be renewed annually</li>
<li>Except in CA and ID where the Pharmacist is now permitted to sign standing orders</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Emergency Protocols
<ul>
<li>Emergency treatment procedures when a patient has an adverse reaction</li>
<li>Signed by a physician</li>
<li>Except in CA and ID where the Pharmacist is now permitted to sign standing orders
<ul>
<li>However, I personally recommend that a physician still sign this order to protect the pharmacist</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Am I required to have Policies and Procedures?
<ul>
<li>By federal statute, No</li>
<li>Strongly recommended by APhA</li>
<li>Required to be submitted to the liability carrier when an adverse reaction occurs</li>
<li>Check your insurance policy for your compliance requirements</li>
</ul>
Where do I turn for help and guidance?
<ul>
<li>Well that is where my company comes in</li>
<li>We work with the IAC and CDC in developing policies and procedures, standing orders and many other documents</li>
<li>All are contained within our Pharmacy Immunization Compliance Program which is maintain as changes occur from the CDC and IAC</li>
</ul>
CONTACT RJ HEDGES TODAY:&nbsp;
R.J. Hedges &amp; Associates
163 9th Street PO Box H &nbsp;
New Florence, PA 15944 &nbsp;
Phone: (724) 357-8380 &nbsp;
Email: sales@rjhedges.com

In March of 2009, Todd S. Eury, launched the Pharmacy Podcast Show. Over the years, the Pharmacy Podcast has accumulated over 75,000+ listeners and subscribers and is the most popular and downloaded podcast about the Pharmacy Industry.

The Pharmacy Podcast Show transformed into the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN) in 2014 and will continue to collect the thought leading interviews with some of the most brilliant minds in Pharmacy with over 30 co-hosts. The PPN is a Digital Health Publication and Content Developing partner to the Pharmaceutical industry focusing on Specialty medications, pharmacy business supportive technologies, and industry trends.

The PPN is the world's largest network of podcasts dedicated to the pharmacy professional and industry insiders leading with our hosts interviewing dynamic people in the pharmacy industry making a difference for our profession, customers, and patients.

The definition of “Innovation” is: A new method, idea, product, or process. Processing, implementing, operating, or designing beyond the status-quo. Pharmacists are the HUB of Healthcare & the PPN is the Pharmacist's biggest fan. 

In March of 2009, Todd S. Eury, launched the Pharmacy Podcast Show. Over the years, the Pharmacy Podcast has accumulated over 75,000+ listeners and subscribers and is the most popular and downloaded podcast about the Pharmacy Industry.
The Pharmacy Podcast Show transformed into the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN) in 2014 and will continue to collect the thought leading interviews with some of the most brilliant minds in Pharmacy with over 30 co-hosts. The PPN is a Digital Health Publication and Content Developing partner to the Pharmaceutical industry focusing on Specialty medications, pharmacy business supportive technologies, and industry trends.
The PPN is the world's largest network of podcasts dedicated to the pharmacy professional and industry insiders leading with our hosts interviewing dynamic people in the pharmacy industry making a difference for our profession, customers, and patients.
The definition of &ldquo;Innovation&rdquo; is: A new method, idea, product, or process. Processing, implementing, operating, or designing beyond the status-quo. Pharmacists are the HUB of Healthcare &amp; the PPN is the Pharmacist's biggest fan.&nbsp;

Pharmacy Podcast Network

The Pharmacy Podcast Network is ranked as the number one podcast in healthcare dedicated to the Business of Pharmacy and TOP 25 Podcasts in U.S. Business News. The most influential voices in the pharmacy industry are published on the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN). The PPN is the leading audio authority of the pharmaceutical & pharmacy industry with more than 30 hosts, 1,200+ episodes, supporting more than 25+ pharmacy industry associations, with more than 80,000 listeners world wide. 

The PPN is an Audio Branding & Public Relations Communications company dedicated to the Pharmaceutical industry focusing on Community, Long-term care, Health System, Specialty, pharmacy business supportive technologies, and industry trends. 

Pharmacy Podcast™ is a registered trademark

The Pharmacy Podcast Network is ranked as the number one podcast in healthcare dedicated to the Business of Pharmacy and TOP 25 Podcasts in U.S. Business News. The most influential voices in the pharmacy industry are published on the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN). The PPN is the leading audio authority of the pharmaceutical &amp; pharmacy industry with more than 30 hosts, 1,200+ episodes, supporting more than 25+ pharmacy industry associations, with more than 80,000 listeners world wide.&nbsp;
The PPN is an Audio Branding &amp; Public Relations Communications company dedicated to the Pharmaceutical industry focusing on Community, Long-term care, Health System, Specialty, pharmacy business supportive technologies, and industry trends.&nbsp;
Pharmacy Podcast&trade; is a registered trademark

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...

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