Have you heard about TPC's Mobile Medication Web App?
Did you know TPC has a separate website called the TPC Web App to help providers, Medication Assistance Caseworkers, volunteers and clinic staff search for more free and low-cost medicine right at their fingertips? They can search by brandname, generic, class and subclass and determine if a medication is available for free from TPC or a low fee! A shortcut can be downloaded to any mobile device and the link can also be accessed from a computer. If you need help accessing this exciting new tool, please contact  TPC Staff !

VHCF is Celebrating 25 Years!
To mark this important milestone, the Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF) has announced a contest, Prizes for Progress, for its health safety net partners. VHCF will award unrestricted prize money to two current and/or former grantee organizations just for providing the most compelling two page story about the difference VHCF support has made for their organizations. One first place prize of $15,000 and one second place prize of $10,000 will be awarded. VHCF's Board of Trustees will serve as the panel of judges. More information about eligibility and how to apply is available here. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, May 15th. Email Cat Hulbert or Andrea Lancaster with any questions.

2017 Virginia Medicaid Denial Waiver Letter Available
Some Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) require patients to apply to Medicaid and provide documentation that those benefits have been denied as part of their screening for eligibility process. Because Virginia's Medicaid eligibility is among the most restrictive in the nation, a waiver letter has been developed and updated for 2017. Please use this letter in place of a Medicaid Denial letter to submit to PAPs requesting this documentation. If you have any problems with any PAPs rejecting this letter for any reason, please notify TPC staff. 

Gabapentin Now Required to be Reported to Virginia's Prescription Monitoring Program
As a result of  House Bill 2164 passed by the Virginia General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor on February 23, 2017, the dispensing of gabapentin (used to treat nerve pain and an anticonvulsant) is now required to be reported to the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). Gabapentin is considered a drug of interest and needs to be reported daily. The PMP collects prescription data for Schedule II-IV drugs into a central database which can then be used by authorized parties to assist in deterring the illegal use of prescription drugs. See New Regulations. For questions pertaining to reporting data to the PMP, call 1-855-482-4767.

 
Highlights of Important PAP Updates & Resources
  • Pfizer RxPathways is no longer accepting refill requests via fax or mail for non-controlled substance medications. Some organizations have recently reported applications being returned and not processed when submitted via fax. Reorders for the medication Lyrica can still be submitted via fax. All reorders for non-controlled substance medications should be placed through the automated phone system at 855-742-7497 or online at www.PfizerPap.com. For additional questions, please call Pfizer's Patient Assistance Program at 866-706-2400.
     
  • Effective 3/21/17, Arcapta Neohaler (a medicine used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is now available through the  Sunovion Support Prescription Assistance Program. The medication was previously supported by Novartis' Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc. TPC has incorporated this change Read more here.

  • The ASSURE Patient Assistance Program has merged into the  Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc. This program provides free treatment to eligible uninsured and underinsured patients on Abilify Tablets (Antipsychotic), Abilify Maintena (Antipsychotic), Rexulti (Antipsychotic) or Samsca (used to treat low levels of sodium in the blood).  Eligibility requirements have remained the same and products were consolidated to one program & application. Currently enrolled patients only need to reapply when it is their normal reenrollment period. Patients must have a diagnosis that is within the drug's approved indication to qualify. For questions, contact the program at 855-727-6274.TPC has incorporated this change.

  •  New Eyes has lifted the restriction of processing limited applications per agency for patients in need of basic prescription eyeglasses for children and adults. The program no longer accepts paper applications. Applications can only be submitted online through the New Eyes website by a social service agency which applies on its clients' behalf. Review eligibility requirements for the program here. Here's  how to register and access the online voucher application. In TPC, eyeglasses can be added from the Patient Medication screen in the Patient Supply Formulary section. The guidelines for online submission are also available via TPC when a request is processed.

  • Need proof that a patient has not filed a Federal Tax Return to submit to a PAP? Visit www.IRS.gov to request FREE verification of non-filing. Click on "Order a Transcript: or call 800-908-9946. Use form 4506-T and check box 7 to request verification of non-filing. A 4506-T form can also be generated from TPC when printing the PAP application. 
     
  • TPC now includes additional gender options in the drop down menu on the detailed profile screen. Selections include: Male, Female, Unknown, Transgender-Female to Male and Transgender-Male to Female. These new options are also incorporated into the Demographic reports.

Check out other Program Changes in the Research section of TPC for more information on recent changes and updates to the system!

Don't Forget to Complete the Annual TPC 
User Survey!
Each year we conduct a survey to get your feedback on The Pharmacy Connection and all complementary supports related to it. Your responses help us plan and consider future software and program enhancements. We are always looking for ways we can provide you with additional information to better help your patients with access to the medications and supplies they need. Thank you for all of the responses already received. If you haven't completed the survey, be sure to share your feedback with us and take this year's survey by April 5th!
 
Save the Date: Spring Medication Assistance Roundtables
All TPC related staff are encouraged to attend. These Roundtables are designed to bring users together to discuss the ways each utilizes The Pharmacy Connection, exchange ideas, and share accomplishments and challenges. Changes in healthcare, PAP updates and upcoming TPC software enhancements are just a few of the topics that will be covered. You don't want to miss one of these sessions!  Register today for a session near you!

May 3 - Suffolk
May 5 - Richmond
May 10 - Abingdon
May 11 - Roanoke 
May 16 - Oakton
 
Interested in Becoming a Pharmacy Technican?
The Virginia Board of Pharmacy has compiled a list of approved Pharmacy Technician Training programs. Cost varies between programs and it can help you do your job as a Medication Assistance Caseworker better. Check out the list here.

ASK JULIET & LISA...

Q: What should I do with the active patients linked to a provider that I plan to inactivate?
 
Q: How do I inactivate a provider in TPC?
 
Q: Can a provider be reactivated?

Check out the answers here. More FAQs and Training Videos are located under the TPC Help menu!
 
Upcoming TPC Trainings

Beginner 
 April 4 - Richmond
April 21 - Online
June 27 - Roanoke
July 18 - Online
 
Advanced
April 5 - Online
July 20 - Online 


Please check out the rest of the schedule and register for a session here!