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    OpenPayerPolicy UpdatesReimbursement/Payment PolicyAlaska Medicaid cost of dispensing survey | OpenPa…
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    CurrentAlaska MedicaidPolicy N/A

    Alaska Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey — Methodology and Considerations for Setting Professional Dispensing Fees

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    Documents the methodology, results, and considerations from a statewide survey of pharmacies to estimate the average cost of dispensing Medicaid prescriptions in Alaska and options for setting professional dispensing fees; affects Alaska Medicaid-enrolled pharmacies (I/T/U and non-I/T/U).

    Policy Summary
    PayerAlaska Medicaid
    PolicyPharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey — Methodology and Considerations for Professional Dispensing Fees
    Policy CodePolicy N/A
    Change TypeInformational survey report
    Effective Date
    Next Review Date
    Key ActionAll Alaska Medicaid–enrolled pharmacies must complete and return the cost of dispensing survey (electronic or paper) by the stated return date to avoid potential fee reduction to $3.45.
    SourceLink
    POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

    No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.

    119pharmacies enrolled and surveyed
    117 (99.2%)usable surveys / response rate
    $14.41weighted mean cost (non-I/T/U)
    $28.66weighted mean cost (I/T/U)
    $3.45penalty dispensing fee if non-participation

    Coverage Criteria and Survey Rules

    Fee design considerations

    Considerations for structuring professional dispensing fees based on survey results:

    States must base proposed changes to professional dispensing fees on adequate cost-based data (e.g., state or national survey); market-based research alone is not acceptable.

    Options

    • Single statewide fee — simplest option and widely used among states; may not reflect cost differences across pharmacy types.
    • Distinguish by I/T/U affiliation — survey shows significant cost differences between I/T/U and non-I/T/U pharmacies supporting separate fees.
    • Volume-based tiers — tiered fees by annual prescription volume reflect cost variation by volume but require ongoing volume monitoring to reassess tier assignment.
    Policy Summary
    PayerAlaska Medicaid
    PolicyPharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey — Methodology and Considerations for Professional Dispensing Fees
    Policy CodePolicy N/A
    Change TypeInformational survey report
    Effective Date
    Next Review Date
    Key ActionAll Alaska Medicaid–enrolled pharmacies must complete and return the cost of dispensing survey (electronic or paper) by the stated return date to avoid potential fee reduction to $3.45.
    SourceLink
    On This Page
    Coverage Criteria and Survey RulesCost Metrics, Tables and CodingProvider Actions, Submission Instructions, and PenaltiesDefinitions and Terms Used
    Geography (On the Road vs Off the Road) — geographic location materially affects cost for some pharmacies, particularly certain non-I/T/U off-road pharmacies with higher per-prescription costs.
  1. Choice of statistical measure — consider means vs medians and weighted vs unweighted measures; weighted measures (by total or Medicaid volume) emphasize high-volume pharmacies and affect fee outcomes.
  2. If using tiers or distinctions, implement processes for periodic reassessment (for example, prescription volume surveys) to evaluate tier assignments and maintain representativeness.

    Cost calculation and adjustment criteria

    Methods and rules used to determine allowable dispensing-related costs and per-prescription dispensing cost used for fee-setting

    Total dispensing-related cost is calculated as allocated overhead plus allocated labor divided by total prescriptions dispensed; cost-finding rules isolate prescription-related costs from other business activities.
    Overhead allocation methods: 100% (fully prescription-related), 0% (not prescription-related), sales ratio (prescription sales/total sales), or area ratio (prescription floor space/total floor space with area ratio multiplied by 2.0 and capped at the sales ratio); certain items (e.g., prescription licenses, prescription delivery, containers/labels) treated as fully prescription-related; income taxes, bad debts, advertising and unrelated 'other' expenses excluded or allocated appropriately.
    Reasonableness limits: corporate/indirect allocations limited (corporate allocations described and must disclose allocation basis); corporate allocations to individual locations are evaluated and may be constrained; shipping reimbursements received from Medicaid were annualized and offset from calculated dispensing cost for applicable pharmacies.
    Labor allocation: allocate total salaries, payroll taxes, and benefits by percent of time in the prescription department; employee pharmacist prescription-time is adjusted upward using a specified formula to reflect higher productivity in prescription duties; an overall labor constraint was applied to limit prescription labor proportion (applied to a subset of pharmacies and reduced mean cost modestly).
    Owner compensation limits: owner salaries/benefits constrained between upper and lower hourly thresholds approximating the 95th and 40th percentiles of employee wages (separate limits for pharmacist and non-pharmacist owners); amounts outside limits are adjusted to the limit.
    Inflation adjustment: all allocated overhead and labor costs are multiplied by inflation factors (sourced from the BLS Employment Cost Index with interpolation) to normalize costs to the reference point (midpoint 12/31/2023) for fiscal year ending 6/30/2024.
    Statistical presentation: present unweighted and weighted means and medians (weighting by total Rx volume or Medicaid Rx volume); use weighting to mitigate outliers and emphasize high-volume dispensing patterns in reimbursement consideration.

    Survey data collection criteria

    Product breakdown reporting requirements

    Report number of prescriptions and dollar sales by detailed product categories (infusion, compounded infusion, TPN, clotting factors, prefilled/ready-to-inject, specialty orals, topicals, injectables, non-specialty orals, compounded non-infusion, enteral nutrition, other); report percent dispensed to health care professional/clinic for administration for each category.
    Totals for specialty and non-specialty categories must reconcile to Section IA prescriptions and Pharmacy Department sales for the same fiscal reporting period.
    Provide narrative description of specialty services where applicable (patient monitoring, compliance programs, case/disease management, specialized equipment, REMS-related activities) when reporting specialty product lines.
    Personnel reporting: report employee classifications, FTEs (total weekly hours/40, rounded to nearest tenth), total salaries/benefits, and percent of time in predefined activity categories; percent-of-time columns must total 100% per row.
    Overhead reporting: complete Section IIB using internal fiscal year financial statements or mapped federal tax return lines; tax form line mappings and notes provided to align survey line items with tax return figures.

    Reporting and reconciliation requirements

    Report overhead and labor expenses using specified tax form line mappings and designated survey line items; reconcile survey totals to financial statements or tax returns for the same fiscal year.

    Round all reported amounts to the nearest dollar or whole number.
    Report specified expense categories on designated survey lines (e.g., rent - building/equipment, repairs & maintenance, insurance, interest, legal/professional fees, dues/publications, bad debts, utilities, office supplies, advertising/marketing, computer expenses, prescription delivery, containers/labels, travel/meals, security, bank charges, credit card processing fees, interior/exterior maintenance, licenses/permits, employee training, continuing education).
    Use lines 32a–32r to report other non-labor expenses, provide descriptions and allocation basis for corporate/indirect allocations, and attach additional pages as needed; include examples of corporate allocation descriptions and bases.
    Total overhead for Page 8 is line (31) (sum of lines 1–30); continue overhead on Page 9 through line (33) where applicable.
    Complete reconciliation on Page 10 to ensure cost survey totals equal totals per financial statements or tax returns for the same fiscal year; when using tax forms, map total expense lines from 2023 forms to survey reconciliation lines.
    If using tax returns, map tax form lines as noted (e.g., 2023: Form 1040 Schedule C other expenses; Form 1065 line 21; Form 1120 line 27; Form 1120S line 20) and provide detailed breakdowns for 'other expenses' where applicable.
    Provide supporting details for 'other expenses' and ensure column totals in the reconciliation (add Lines 1 to 8e) are equal; include any items on financial statements/tax returns not on the cost survey with explanation.
    Myers and Stauffer (contracted firm) will review submissions, provide contact support, and use survey results to inform reimbursement methodology under federal regulation; participation and accuracy are required.
    Non-participation or failure to submit accurate information may result in sanctions, including reduction of dispensing fee per state regulation.

    Survey participation and submission criteria

    Mandatory participation and submission requirements:

    All pharmacies enrolled in the Alaska Medicaid pharmacy program are required to participate in the survey (participation mandatory per 7 AAC 105.400(27) and 7 AAC 145.410(c)).
    Survey forms must be returned by the deadline (April 9, 2024); DOH instructed Myers and Stauffer to accept surveys through April 16, 2024 for representation purposes.
    Surveys may be submitted electronically using the provided Excel template (requestable via disp_survey@mslc.com) or by paper using the Business Reply Envelope; electronic submissions may be emailed or uploaded via Secure FTP per instructions.
    Providers are encouraged to retain a copy of completed survey forms and to describe any cost allocations used in preparing financial data submitted with the survey.
    All submitted surveys will be reviewed and validated by Myers and Stauffer; selected providers may be asked for supporting documentation and will be notified if selected; submissions remain strictly confidential.
    Informational webinars and a help desk (toll-free 1-800-374-6858; disp_survey@mslc.com) are available to explain the survey and provide assistance.

    Survey participation and desk review criteria

    Participation and documentation criteria for Alaska Medicaid-enrolled pharmacies:

    All pharmacies enrolled in Alaska Medicaid must complete and submit the cost of dispensing survey.
    Survey submission due April 9, 2024; DOH instructed Myers and Stauffer to accept surveys through April 16, 2024 for representation purposes.
    Pharmacies missing the initial deadline may have their professional dispensing fee reduced to $3.45 and may face sanctions under 7 AAC 105.400–105.490 until a completed survey is submitted.
    Selected pharmacies for supplemental desk review must submit within 10 days store-specific financial statements (or single-store federal tax returns with schedules), prescription reports, store diagram/blueprint supporting square footage calculations, and any other work papers used to complete the survey.
    Documentation for desk review may be submitted via email to disp_survey@mslc.com or fax as provided; contact Myers and Stauffer toll-free at 1-800-374-6858 for assistance.
    Exhibit tables list per-pharmacy original and revised dispensing cost per prescription with adjustments from supplemental reviews; mean change and 95% confidence intervals are reported for review outcomes.

    Survey metrics and attributes

    Key reported measures and operational attributes from the survey:

    I/T/U mean dispensing cost per prescription (unweighted) = $35.53; mean weighted by total Rx volume = $29.17; mean weighted by Medicaid Rx volume = $28.66.
    Number of pharmacies responding to attributes survey = 117.
    Provision of unit dose services: 29 of 117 pharmacies (24.8%) reported providing unit dose services (average of 29.1% of prescriptions for those pharmacies).
    For pharmacies that deliver, average percent of Medicaid prescriptions delivered = 31.3% (34 of 117 pharmacies reporting delivery).
    Costs were inflated to common point 12/31/2023; Medicaid volume and other footnote data are provided in exhibit footnotes.

    Pharmacies Participating in Cost of Dispensing Survey (Alaska)

    Participant roster

    A list of pharmacies participating in the Alaska Department of Health Cost of Dispensing Survey is provided (names and locations as listed in the survey exhibits).

    Cost Metrics, Tables and Coding

    Survey summary cost statisticsmixed
    Weighted mean non-I/T/U$14.41 weighted mean cost per prescription (non-I/T/U)
    Weighted mean I/T/U$28.66 weighted mean cost per prescription (I/T/U)
    Unweighted mean non-I/T/U$18.14 unweighted mean cost per prescription (non-I/T/U)
    Unweighted mean I/T/U$35.53 unweighted mean cost per prescription (I/T/U)
    Cost metrics reportedmixed
    Weighted medianWeighted median dispensing cost per prescription reported for pharmacy groups
    Unweighted meanUnweighted average dispensing cost per prescription reported for pharmacy groups
    Survey reporting (non-billable data)mixed
    Product/service counts and salesNo explicit billing codes; report number of prescriptions and dollar sales by product categories (infusion, TPN, clotting factors, prefilled, orals, topicals, injectables, compounded, enteral, other) and percent dispensed to health care professional/clinic
    Tax return line mappings for total expensesmixed
    1040C line 28; 1065 line 21; 1120 line 27; 1120S line 20Tax form lines referenced for total expenses per tax return (2023 forms) when used to complete the cost of dispensing survey
    Not applicablemixed
    No codes listed
    Per-pharmacy dispensing cost valuesmixed
    Dispensing Cost per Prescription (store-level)Per-pharmacy calculated dispensing cost per prescription as reported in exhibit tables (original and revised values shown per store)
    Dispensing cost statisticsmixed
    Statistical summary valuesSummary statistics (means, medians, weighted means) for dispensing cost per prescription by pharmacy grouping (chain vs independent, on/off road, volume buckets)
    cost metrics and service prevalencemixed
    No codes listed
    Not applicablemixed
    No codes listed
    On-road vs Off-road weighted median (non-I/T/U)
    On-road weighted median (non-I/T/U)$11.80
    Off-road weighted median (non-I/T/U)$22.17
    Non-I/T/U sample sizes (on/off road)On-road n=78; Off-road n=15
    Typical dispensing cost range (majority)
    Typical dispensing cost range for majority of pharmacies$9 - $29 (approximately 70% of pharmacies)
    Non-I/T/U weighted mean$14.41
    Unweighted mean (non-I/T/U)$18.14
    FTE rounding and total percent time
    FTE roundingFTE = total weekly hours ÷ 40; round to nearest tenth
    Percent-time column requirementEach percent-of-time row (columns A–D) must total 100%
    FTE exampleExample: (38+22+16) ÷ 40 = 1.9 FTEs
    Rounding rule
    Rounding rule for survey amountsRound all amounts to the nearest dollar or whole number
    Apply rounding to overhead and other expense linesPage 8 and related tax-return mapped lines must be rounded to nearest dollar
    Consistent rounding across formsRound amounts reported on tax forms and survey pages to nearest whole dollar
    Per-location reporting requirement
    Per-location submission requirementSubmit a completed survey for each pharmacy location participating in Alaska Medicaid
    Chains must provide per-store dataChains must submit one survey per store/location and may use the Excel template
    I/T/U instructionsI/T/U organizations must submit a survey for each pharmacy location with allocation guidance for organization-level costs
    Professional dispensing fee reduction threshold
    Penalty triggering reduced dispensing feeProvider's professional dispensing fee may be reduced to $3.45 until a completed survey is submitted
    Regulatory basisSanctions per 7 AAC 145.410(c) and related Alaska Medicaid regulations
    Encouragement to submit promptlyForms must be returned by April 9, 2024 (extended to April 16, 2024 for representation) to avoid penalties
    High annual volume category
    High annual volume category70,000+ prescriptions/year
    Mean dispensing cost for 70,000+ bucket (non-I/T/U)Approximately $11.21 (mean)
    Average total prescriptions in bucketAverage total prescriptions ≈ 99,831 for 70,000+ group
    I/T/U pharmacies - Medicaid-weighted mean dispensing cost
    I/T/U Medicaid-weighted mean dispensing cost$28.66
    I/T/U unweighted mean$35.53
    I/T/U median (weighted by Medicaid volume)$26.81

    Provider Actions, Submission Instructions, and Penalties

    Prior Authorization

    Use cost‑based survey data to support fee changes (CMS guidance)

    CMS requires that proposed changes to professional dispensing fees be supported by adequate cost-based data (for example, a state or national survey); market-based research or third‑party payment data alone do not qualify as supporting data.

    Documentation Required

    Provide supporting documentation for adjustments and shipping offsets

    Pharmacies that received Medicaid shipping reimbursement had annualized shipping reimbursements offset against their calculated dispensing cost; a random sample of 21 pharmacies were asked to provide supporting documentation and all complied.

    Documentation Required

    Complete and return the cost survey by the deadline

    Complete and return the Alaska Medicaid Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey by the stated return date; contact Myers and Stauffer for the electronic template or assistance via the provided phone/email.

    • Return completed survey by April 9, 2024 (deadline stated on the form).
    • Request electronic Excel version from disp_survey@mslc.com or 1-800-374-6858.
    Documentation Required

    Declare exemption if new or changed ownership (<6 months)

    If the pharmacy was open less than six months during the reporting period or experienced a change in ownership resulting in less than six months in business, the pharmacy may check the Declaration of Exemption and is not required to complete the remainder of the survey.

    • Enter the date the pharmacy opened or the date ownership changed on the form.
    • Contact Myers and Stauffer at 1-800-374-6858 or disp_survey@mslc.com with questions.
    Documentation Required

    Report product breakdown and reconcile totals to Section IA

    Report the number of prescriptions and dollar sales by specialty and non‑specialty categories and ensure those totals reconcile to Section IA prescriptions and pharmacy department sales; report percent dispensed to health‑care professional/clinic for administration for each category.

    • Provide counts and dollar sales for each specialty product category (infusion, TPN, clotting factors, prefilled, orals, topicals, injectables, compounded, enteral, other).
    • Ensure product totals reconcile to Section IA prescriptions and sales.
    Documentation Required

    Describe specialty services and programs in narrative section

    Provide a narrative description of specialty products and related services, including patient monitoring, compliance programs, case/disease management, specialized equipment, and REMS‑related activities.

    • Describe monitoring, compliance, case management, specialized storage/equipment and REMS activities as applicable.
    Denial Risk

    Mandatory participation — non‑response may trigger fee reduction

    All Alaska Medicaid enrolled pharmacies supplied a survey must participate; failure to participate may result in reducing the provider's dispensing fee to $3.45 or other sanctions under state regulation.

    • Participation is mandatory per 7 AAC 105.400(27) and related regulations.
    • Non‑participation may trigger fee reduction to $3.45 per 7 AAC 145.410(c).
    Documentation Required

    Independent pharmacies: submit survey and optional financials/tax return

    Complete the enclosed survey for each single‑store pharmacy; you may submit store financial statements or a federal tax return if you elect to have Myers and Stauffer complete specified overhead and reconciliation sections; retain a copy of the completed survey for your records.

    • If submitting financials/tax return for a single store, Myers and Stauffer will complete Section IIB and Section III for you.
    • Retain a copy of the completed survey.
    Documentation Required

    Chains: submit a completed survey for each store (per‑store reporting)

    Submit a completed survey for each store/location participating in Alaska Medicaid; chains must submit per‑store data and may use the Excel template provided.

    • Each store must submit its own survey form and supporting information.
    • Chains are encouraged to use the electronic Excel template.
    Documentation Required

    I/T/U pharmacies: submit per‑location surveys and allocate org costs

    I/T/U organizations must submit a survey for each pharmacy location; guidance is provided for allocating organization‑level costs to individual pharmacy operations.

    • Submit per‑location survey data even if part of an I/T/U organization.
    • Use the provided guidance to allocate organization‑level costs to each pharmacy.
    Billing Rule

    Submit survey electronically using the Excel template (email or Secure FTP)

    Electronic submission is encouraged via the Excel template; obtain the template from disp_survey@mslc.com and submit completed electronic surveys by email or via Secure FTP when provided.

    • Request the Excel spreadsheet from disp_survey@mslc.com or call 1-800-374-6858.
    • Email completed Excel survey files to disp_survey@mslc.com or use Secure FTP if arranged.
    Billing Rule

    Paper submission: mail each store's survey using the Business Reply Envelope

    Paper submission is allowed—send completed paper forms (one per store) to Myers and Stauffer LC at the Kansas City Business Reply address; postage is prepaid.

    • Mail to: Myers and Stauffer LC, Attn: Alaska Medicaid Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey, 700 W. 47th Street, Suite 1100, Kansas City, MO 64112.
    • Use the enclosed Business Reply Envelope; postage will be paid by Myers and Stauffer LC.
    Denial Risk

    Survey validation — selected providers will be asked for follow‑up documentation

    All submitted surveys will be reviewed and validated; a random sample will be selected for further validation and providers will be notified and asked to provide supporting documentation if selected.

    • Myers and Stauffer will notify pharmacies selected for additional validation and specify required documentation.
    • Submitted materials remain strictly confidential.
    Prior Authorization

    Mandatory participation and informational webinars; deadlines and extensions

    All pharmacies enrolled in Alaska Medicaid are required to participate in the survey; informational webinars are scheduled and surveys must be returned by April 9, 2024 (acceptance extended to April 16, 2024 for representation).

    • Informational meetings/webinars available (dates include March 14 and March 19, 2024).
    • Original due date April 9, 2024; DOH instructed Myers and Stauffer to accept surveys through April 16, 2024.
    Documentation Required

    If selected for desk review, submit financials, prescription reports, store diagram, and work papers within 10 days

    Selected pharmacies must submit supplemental desk review documentation within ten days; required items include a store‑specific financial statement or single‑store federal tax return (with schedules), prescription reports, store diagram/blueprint for square footage, and any other work papers used to complete the survey.

    • Provide store‑specific financial statements or single‑store tax return with schedules.
    • Provide prescription dispensing reports and store diagrams/blueprints.
    • Submit any other work papers relied upon to complete the survey.
    • Documentation must be submitted within ten days of the request (can be emailed to disp_survey@mslc.com).
    Denial Risk

    Non‑response penalty: dispensing fee may be reduced to $3.45

    Pharmacies that do not meet the initial submission deadline may have their professional dispensing fee reduced to $3.45 and may be subject to sanctions under Alaska regulations until a completed survey is submitted.

    • Fee reduction to $3.45 applies until a completed survey is submitted.
    • Additional sanctions may be imposed under 7 AAC 105.400–105.490.
    Billing Rule

    Inflate reported overhead and labor costs to 12/31/2023 using BLS indices

    Apply inflation adjustment factors (based on the BLS Employment Cost Index with linear interpolation for non‑quarter months) to reported overhead and labor costs to normalize costs to December 31, 2023 (midpoint for fiscal period ending 6/30/2024).

    • Inflation factors adjust each pharmacy's reported costs from its fiscal year midpoint to 12/31/2023.
    • Quarterly indices from the BLS Employment Cost Index were applied and non‑quarter months interpolated linearly.
    Note

    Survey results include per‑pharmacy dispensing cost values and statistical summaries

    Survey results present per‑pharmacy original and revised dispensing cost per prescription, with reported means, medians, weighted measures, and aggregate cost measurements used to inform reimbursement options.

    • Results include unweighted means, weighted means (by total and Medicaid volume), and medians.
    • Exhibit tables list original and revised per‑pharmacy dispensing cost values and aggregate statistics.
    Documentation Required

    Verify your listing on the participating pharmacies roster

    A list of pharmacies participating in the Alaska Cost of Dispensing Survey is provided; pharmacies named in the participant list are considered participating and should submit individual surveys as applicable.

    • Participant roster includes chain and independent pharmacies, hospital and tribal providers as listed in the document.
    • Verify your store(s) on the attached participant list and notify Myers and Stauffer of inaccuracies.

    Definitions and Terms Used

    A pharmacy located in Alaska and connected to Anchorage by road.
    Definition: On the RoadA pharmacy located in Alaska and connected to Anchorage by road.
    Context: use in analysisUsed to classify pharmacies for on/off road comparisons and weighting
    Source mappingDetermined from pharmacy ZIP code and claims-designated location
    A pharmacy located in Alaska that is not connected to Anchorage by road.
    Definition: Off the RoadA pharmacy located in Alaska that is not connected to Anchorage by road.
    Use in surveyClassified for higher observed dispensing costs in off-road group
    Footnote referenceSee footnote defining On/Off Road System in report
    "On the Road" pharmacy
    Term: "On the Road" pharmacyShorthand for a pharmacy located in Alaska connected to Anchorage by road (On the Road System).
    ImplicationTypically lower weighted median dispensing cost compared with off-road counterparts
    Classification methodDesignated via DOH claims file and ZIP-to-locality mapping
    "Off the Road" pharmacy
    Term: "Off the Road" pharmacyShorthand for a pharmacy located in Alaska not connected to Anchorage by road (Off Road System).
    Cost characteristicObserved substantially higher weighted median dispensing cost ($22.17 for non-I/T/U)
    Sample size noteOff-road non-I/T/U sample in Table 1.3: n=15
    Weighted Median
    Weighted Median (definition)The dispensing cost at which half of prescriptions (by weight) are at or below and half are at or above that cost; determined by ordering prescriptions by cost and finding the middle observation.
    Use-caseMitigates influence of outliers compared with arithmetic mean
    Applied measuresWeighted medians reported by Medicaid and total Rx volume in tables
    Specialty Pharmacies
    Specialty pharmacy (reporting criterion)Pharmacies reporting 50% or more of prescription sales from intravenous, home infusion, clotting factor and/or other specialty services are classified as specialty for this analysis (I/T/U grouped as non-specialty).
    Observed effectSurvey did not reveal significantly higher dispensing cost for specialty-identified pharmacies in this sample
    Examples of specialty servicesInfusion, TPN, clotting factors, specialized equipment and patient monitoring activities
    Full-time Equivalent (FTE)
    Full-time Equivalent (FTE) calculationTotal weekly hours worked for a job category ÷ 40; round to nearest tenth
    Example calculation(38 + 22 + 16) ÷ 40 = 1.9 FTEs
    FTE can be decimalReport decimal FTEs to nearest tenth per survey instructions
    Direct Dispensing Activities
    Direct Dispensing Activities (definition)Pharmacist time associated with transferring possession of the covered outpatient drug to a Medicaid beneficiary, including checking coverage, DUR/PDL review, measurement/mixing, filling, counseling, delivery, and special packaging.
    Reporting guidanceReport percent of time spent on direct dispensing activities for each employee/category
    Relation to FTEsPercent-of-time columns must total 100% per row and are used to allocate labor costs
    Medication Therapy Management (MTM) and Vaccine Administration
    MTM and Vaccine Administration (definition)Includes services such as medication therapy management and vaccine administration (registration, administration, monitoring); counseling at dispensation is reported as Direct Dispensing Activities.
    Reporting instructionReport percent of time spent on MTM and vaccine administration per employee/category
    ExamplesPatient education, monitoring after vaccine administration, counseling services
    COD survey
    COD survey (abbreviation)Cost of Dispensing (COD) survey conducted by Myers and Stauffer LC for Alaska DOH
    PurposeTo collect pharmacy cost data to inform Alaska Medicaid dispensing fee evaluation under 42 CFR §447.518
    Submission deadlineInitial due date April 9, 2024 (extensions noted)
    Locum tenens
    Locum tenens reportingReport pharmacist salaries and benefits for locum tenens on page 5 of the survey; associated room and board on page 9
    PurposeEnsure temporary staffing costs are captured and appropriately allocated to dispensing cost
    Examples of locum-related costsRoom and board, contracting fees reported separately on survey pages
    Recruiting and training costs
    Recruiting and training costs (reporting)Include recruiting, moving, housing and training costs on appropriate lines (pages 8 or 9) of the survey tool
    Allocation noteIdentify these costs so they can be allocated to dispensing where appropriate
    Relation to vacancy costsSeparate from vacancy-related overtime which should be included in salaries/benefits reporting
    Pharmacist vacancies
    Pharmacist vacancies (reporting guidance)Capture vacancy-related overtime within reported salaries and benefits; report additional locum and recruiting costs separately as described
    Desk review supportSelected pharmacies must provide documentation to verify vacancy-related cost reporting
    PurposeEnsure completeness of labor cost allocation in dispensing cost calculation
    Myers and Stauffer LC
    Myers and Stauffer LC (contractor)National CPA firm contracted to conduct the Alaska pharmacy COD survey and supplemental reviews on behalf of Alaska DOH
    Contact infoToll-free 1-800-374-6858; disp_survey@mslc.com
    RoleSurvey administration, validation, supplemental desk reviews, and data analysis
    Supplemental desk review
    Supplemental desk review (definition)Quality assurance process requiring selected pharmacies to submit supporting documentation to verify and reconcile submitted survey data within ten days
    Required documentsStore-specific financial statements or single-store federal tax returns, prescription reports, store diagrams/blueprints, and other work papers
    Consequence of selectionMyers and Stauffer will adjust reported costs where documentation indicates revisions are needed
    Chain
    Chain (definition)Organization with four or more pharmacies under common ownership or control on a national level
    Use in analysisChains were analyzed separately in some exhibits (chain vs independent comparisons)
    Regulatory footnoteDefinition provided in report footnotes
    On/Off Road System
    On/Off Road System (term)Classification system: 'On the Road System' = connected to Anchorage by road; 'Off Road System' = not connected by road
    PurposeUsed to stratify cost results and consider geographic fee differentials
    Determination methodDOH designation via claims data and ZIP-to-locality mapping
    I/T/U
    I/T/U (definition)Indian Health Service/Tribal/Urban Indian pharmacies; surveyed and reported as a separate category
    I/T/U sample size24 pharmacies included in analysis
    I/T/U cost characteristicsHigher mean and weighted mean dispensing costs compared with non-I/T/U (e.g., weighted mean $28.66)
    Customized patient medication packaging
    Customized patient medication packaging (inclusion)Pharmacies self-reporting dispensing 75% or more of prescriptions in customized patient medication packaging are identified for some analyses per 12 AAC 52.520
    Use in analysisSuch pharmacies may be included/excluded for subgroup analyses due to different service patterns
    Footnote referenceDefined in report footnotes and methodology
    Geography and chain definition
    Geography and chain definition summaryOn the Road = connected to Anchorage by road; Off Road = not connected by road; Chain = 4+ pharmacies nationally
    ApplicationUsed to stratify sample and present cost statistics by affiliation and geography
    SourceDefinitions and footnotes in report (see footnote section)
    Customized patient medication packaging inclusion
    Inclusion criterion for customized packaging analysesPharmacies self-reporting 75%+ of prescriptions in customized patient medication packaging included in some analyses
    Regulatory citationReference to 12 AAC 52.520 in footnotes
    ReasonPackaging prevalence may materially affect dispensing activities and costs
    Participating pharmacy
    Participating pharmacy (definition)A pharmacy named in the Alaska Department of Health Cost of Dispensing Survey participant list
    Roster availabilityParticipant list included in the report (Exhibit of participating pharmacies)
    RequirementEach named participating pharmacy must submit a survey form for its location