November 2019 Newsletter
A Message from NPAA President, D'Ann Somerall
Happy NP Week!  I am honored to serve as the NPAA President for the 2019-2021 term. Alabama NP’s are on the cusp of creating greater change for our profession, and our patients. I remember attending the first NPAA meeting 13 years ago! Since that great day, AL NP’s have gained scheduled drug prescribing authority, increased signature authority privileges, and an expanded list of approved skills, such as central line insertion and flexible nasopharyngoscopy.

One strong focus of NPAA leadership team is to diligently work on your behalf over the next two years to explore and educate our members, and others in the health care profession, on the benefits of Full Practice Authority. For NPAA to progress and represent all AL NPs in this and other matters we need your support as a MEMBER. Please consider joining today to allow NP’s to continue to meet the needs of our patients. 

The NPAA leadership has hit the ground running! We reviewed the evaluations from the 2019 Conference and planning has begun for the 14 th  Annual NPAA Conference to be held on November 12-13, 2020 in Birmingham, AL. We will be adding more skills to the conference! Save the date! 

Finally, it is an honor for me to serve as the voice and as a representative for NPAA. Thus far, I have represented NPAA at the BON Educator position interviews and the representative for the APRN Executive Council. This is a committee is led by ASNA and is composed of Advanced Practice Providers who are charged with exploring the steps toward Full Practice Authority. This next year is going to be exciting! Renew your membership or join NPAA and be a part of the excitement. 

Be sure to check our our Facebook page for NP Week Celebrations !
Governor Kay Ivy Declares Alabama NP Week!
The role of the nurse practitioner (NP) will be showcased November 10–16, 2019, as NPs across the country celebrate more than 50 years of practice during National NP Week. In the United States, this distinguished group of health care professionals number more than 270,000 strong with an additional 28,700 new NPs completing their academic programs in 2018.

NPAA represents over 5,000 Alabama NPs who are providers of high-quality, cost-effective, personalized health care and highlight the value associated with patients choosing an NP for their health care needs. NP practice offers a unique combination of nursing and health care service to patients. Focusing not only on diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illness, NPs integrate health promotion, disease prevention, counseling and patient education to help patients make smarter health and lifestyle choices and to understand their complete health picture.

Alabama NP Week brings visibility to the role of the NPs within the state. Standing together with one voice can make a difference in Alabama health care.

Click here to read the full proclamation .
Click here to view additional photos .
Alabama Medicaid Agency Alert!
Effective December 2, 2019, the Alabama Medicaid Agency will implement hard edits on cumulative daily MME claims exceeding 200 MME/day. A phase-in period for claims exceeding 150 MME/day, but less than 200 MME/day, will also be implemented. 

Higher doses of opioids are associated with higher risk of overdose and death - even relatively low dosages (20-50 MME per day) may increase risk.1 Therefore, Alabama Medicaid will limit the amount of cumulative MME allowed per day on opioid claims. The edit began at 250 cumulative MME per day and is gradually being decreased over time. The final cumulative MME target is scheduled to be 90 MME per day. 

Hard Edit Implementation (Greater than 200 MME): 
Effective December 2, 2019, opioid claims that exceed a cumulative MME of 200 MME/day will be denied. The universal PA 0009996322 will no longer be valid to bypass the 200 MME edit. Pharmacy override requests for quantities exceeding the MME limit may be submitted to Health Information Designs (HID) and will be reviewed for medical necessity. See the link below for an override form. 

Phase-In Period (150 MME – 200 MME): 
Effective December 2, 2019, claims that exceed the cumulative daily MME limit of 150 MME/day will be denied. The dispensing pharmacist will be provided a universal prior authorization (PA) number on the rejection screen and may enter this universal PA number on the claim to allow it to be paid. Pharmacists are urged to notify the affected patient/prescriber to develop a plan to decrease the patient’s total daily MME. 

Need Travel Funds? Apply for a NPAA Travel Grant!
NPAA’s purpose of funding travel grants is to support NPs in their professional development and to advance the NP profession.

Travel grants are available to NPAA members who are in good standing and who are practicing in an NP role. Applicants must be certified registered nurse practitioners or graduate NP students expected graduate during the grant funding year. Students must submit verification of enrollment in a NP program to be eligible for consideration. Applicants may receive up to $250 in funding and must complete travel within one year of the award.
STANDING TOGETHER: STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Join the Members of the Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama and become part of a group whose goal is to engage, retain, and advance nurse practitioners in Alabama through education, leadership development, and networking opportunities.
NETWORKING
LEADERSHIP
ENGAGEMENT