HURRICANE KATRINA SPECIAL NOTICES:
-Emergency HIV Medication Assistance for Those Displaced by Katrina-Pharmacy Board Extends Emergency Refill Limit for Katrina Refugees-
Louisiana Medicaid Prescription Information
-Immunization Requirements Relaxed for Students Displaced by Katrina
EMERGENCY HIV MEDICATION ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE DISPLACED BY KATRINA
The Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP), the AIDS Drug Assistance Program(ADAP) for the State of Texas, has been working to develop a special programto provide emergency assistance to the ADAP clients in Louisiana,Mississippi and Alabama that have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina andseeking refuge in Texas. Because it is so critical to maintain continuityof care for persons living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy, the THMPhas taken the unprecedented step in expanding program access to non-Texas residents in their time of need.Clients who were normally receiving access to HIV medications through theLouisiana, Mississippi or Alabama ADAPs will need to complete a single-pageform, titled the Emergency Relief ADAP Application, along with proof ofidentity (such as a copy of their photo ID), a copy of their state ADAP IDcard if available, and a completed Medical Certification Form if they arenow being seen by a physician in Texas or receiving health care at a Texaslocation. Completed paperwork should be faxed to the THMP at 512-371-4670 forprocessing. Once approved, the client will be able to obtain a 30-daysupply of their approved medications at a designated participating pharmacy.The emergency assistance will be available for eight weeks from their dateof approval; a new client application will be required for continuedassistance if needed at that time.Copies of the Emergency Relief ADAP Application can be obtained by callingthe THMP at 800-255-1090 or 512-533-3000, or via their website atwww.tdh.state.tx.us/hivstd/meds.
PHARMACY BOARD EXTENDS EMERGENCY REFILL LIMIT FOR KATRINA REFUGEESThe Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) is allowing pharmacists to supplyup to a 30-day supply of medication for patients relocated to Texas becauseof Hurricane Katrina.Normally, Texas pharmacists may not dispense more than a 72-hour supply ofmedication without the authorization of the prescribing practitioner.However, because of the emergency situation caused by Hurricane Katrina,TSBP will not enforce the 72-hour supply limit. Pharmacists may useprofessional judgment to provide up to a 30-day supply of medication (otherthan a Schedule II controlled substance) for patients displaced to Texas bythe hurricane.The laws and rules governing the practice of pharmacy in Texas allowpharmacists to provide emergency refills when the prescribing practitionercannot be reached. Specifically, in an emergency, a pharmacist may usehis/her professional judgment in refilling a prescription drug order (otherthan a Schedule II controlled substance) if failure to refill theprescription might result in an interruption of a therapeutic regimen orcreate patient suffering.For more information, please visit
www.tsbp.state.tx.us/hurricaneinfo.htm.
LOUISIANA MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION INFORMATIONTexas pharmacists filling prescriptions for Louisiana Medicaid recipientsmust fax enrollment forms to 225-216-6392 or 225-216-6335. Forms areavailable at www.hhsc.state.tx.us/hcf/vdp/vdpstart.html. Please disregardinstructions that prohibit faxed applications. To verify patienteligibility, call 800-473-2783.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS RELAXED FOR STUDENTS DISPLACED BY KATRINAIn an effort to assist families displaced by Hurricane Katrina, the TexasDepartment of State Health Services (DSHS) has waived normal immunizationrequirements for attending schools and child-care facilities in Texas. Children from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are to be granted a 30-dayprovisional enrollment that is already provided to students who transferfrom one Texas school to another. A form for public and private schools and child-care facilities to use totrack these children is available on the DSHS Immunization Branch Web siteat www.ImmunizeTexas.com.
