Workers' Comp

State-By-State Pharmacy Rule Updates Related to COVID-19

March 25, 2020
3 MIN READ

Brian Allen

VP of Government Affairs, Enlyte Pharmacy Solutions

In the wake of COVID-19, a number of states have begun relaxing time frames and other rules around the provision of care for their citizens, including injured workers. Almost every state has declared an emergency in an effort to secure their share of federal disaster relief funds related to the outbreak. This declaration allows for the governors and agencies to adapt to the evolving crisis.

In an effort to support social distancing, states are relaxing rules on telemedicine and allowing for its broader use. Many states are allowing pharmacies to fill medications early and to obtain life-saving medication refills even if the prescription has expired. In keeping with these changes, Mitchell ScriptAdvisor has enacted its emergency protocols nationally, allowing for early refills and longer refills to maintain care continuity for injured workers.

Specific to workers' compensation, many of the reporting and billing time frames are being waived for the near future. Agency hearings and other administrative proceedings are being handled electronically or are being postponed. The workers' compensation agencies across the country have transitioned to a home-based work environment for most, if not all, of their staff, but they are still fielding questions and reacting to the changing guidance from the CDC. Right now, the situation in most states is changing daily.

COVID-19 resources for the states and their workers' compensation agencies are at the links below:

State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Alabama General State Guidance None
Alaska General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Arizona General State Guidance None
Arkansas General State Guidance None
California General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Colorado General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Connecticut General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Delaware General State Guidance None
Florida General State Guidance None
Georgia General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Hawaii General State Guidance None
Idaho General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Illinois General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Indiana General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Iowa General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Kansas General State Guidance None
Kentucky General State Guidance None
Louisiana General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Maine General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Maryland General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Massachusetts General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Michigan General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Minnesota General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Mississippi General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Missouri General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Montana General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Nebraska General State Guidance None
Nevada General State Guidance None
New Hampshire General State Guidance None
New Jersey General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
New Mexico General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
New York General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
North Carolina General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
North Dakota General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Ohio General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Oklahoma General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Oregon General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Pennsylvania General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Rhode Island General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
South Carolina General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
South Dakota General State Guidance None
Tennessee General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Texas General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Utah General State Guidance None
Vermont General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Virginia General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific
Washington General State Guidance None
West Virginia General State Guidance None
Wisconsin General State Guidance None
Wyoming General State Guidance Workers' Comp Specific