MMCAP FAQ Items for IPHA

When filling out the MMCAP application forms what are the meanings of the following items:
Legal authority to purchase from MMCAP, HIN (what is it? Do I have one?), DEA, Pharmacy
License Number, 340B and PHS?
o Legal authority to purchase – This application item is requesting the statutory authority,
or governing board resolution that allows the facility to be able to contract with the
State of Minnesota.
o HIN - Health Industry Number is a nine character, alpha-numeric identifier that is
assigned to every facility, delivery location, and business activity in the health care
chain. If the facility is uncertain whether they have a HIN, MMCAP will check the federal
database and will apply for a HIN on their behalf if one does not already exist.
o DEA - Drug Enforcement Administration 9 digit alpha numeric number assigned to
health care providers or facilities to help enforce the Controlled Substances Act. Often
used as a facility identifier instead.
o Pharmacy License Number – If the applicant does not have a dispensing pharmacy they
will not have this number. This item may be left blank on the application.
o 340B - The federal 340B Drug Pricing Program provides access to reduced price
prescription drugs to healthcare facilities certified by the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services as "covered entities". If the facility is uncertain whether they are a 340B
participant, MMCAP will check the federal database for them. This item may be left
blank on the application.
o PHS - U.S Public Health Services, this reference is along with the question on 340B

When filling out the MMCAP application forms section on program usage should an applicant
check all boxes of interest or only current usage needs?
o It is appropriate for the applicant to check all boxes of interest.

Why do the MMCAP application forms ask for information for multiple facility contacts?
o The contact categories are the primary/designated facility contact, the alternate contact
and the purchasing contact. Applicants should list the program supervisor, the person
who will actually be ordering product, and the person responsible for invoices. At small
facilities these may all be the same person, but we need to have a primary and an
alternate so that if one person is no longer with the facility we may reach the other
person to obtain updated contact information.

Who at the facility should sign the MMCAP application forms?
o Usually the program director or healthcare provider is the facility representative that
signs the application forms.

Why does MMCAP require a membership application?
o Application data is used to develop our detailed roster for vendor use.
o Vendors may only deliver healthcare products to valid provider sites.
o Membership information links to federal sites for DEA and Health Industry Numbers.
o Membership data is federally required for healthcare GPOs.

The application form is long. Can I check pricing and availability on a few items before
completing an application so I can determine if MMCAP can save my organization money?
o MMCAP would be happy to help you complete the application forms.
o If a county purchases a specific set of products MMCAP would be able to verify contract
pricing on each product.
o If a county has a large market basket, MMCAP analysts would be able to do a pricing
comparison on current source versus MMCAP.
o Keep in mind that there is no membership fee associated with becoming an MMCAP
member, and program usage is voluntary.

How long does it take for my application to be reviewed and activated?
o Once MMCAP receives the completed member application forms, the process of review,
approval and posting takes a couple of business days.

If my facility has more than one location, must all locations submit a membership application?
o Yes, each location needs a distinct membership number as vendors that deliver
healthcare products are required to maintain detailed delivery and membership
records.
o A facility with several locations may work with MMCAP to use a multiple-facility
application which will help reduce the paperwork.

How do members order and receive products?
o Pharmaceutical Wholesaler account set up enables delivery of prescription drugs, OTC
drugs, vaccines, diabetic supplies, nutritionals, and vials & containers.
o Medical Supply Distributor account set up enables delivery of medical supplies,
nutritionals, equipment, etc.
o Other MMCAP programs available through direct vendor delivery of products and
services; vendor contact information on MMCAP.org
o MMCAP.org is not an order placement site.

Which vaccines may only be accessed by establishing a pharmaceutical wholesaler (Cardinal)
account?
o Illinois counties may purchase most vaccines directly from the manufacturers. While
there is a long list of vaccines available some examples include Hepatitis A and B,
Pneumococcal, Human Papillomavirus, Varicella, Zoster, Diphtheria Pertussis & Tetanus,
and Meningococcal.
o Aplisol is available only through the wholesalers.
o PPD (Tuberculosis skin test), while is not a vaccine it many times gets lumped into that
category and is utilized by HDs, was impacted by a shortage situation last year and many
members utilized the wholesalers for procuring this product. It may be to the counties
advantage to have a secondary sourcing option through Cardinal Health.

Can counties aggregate their volume to create a state COGs discount?
o Yes.
o
Additionally, since aggregation is by state, the counties within Illinois will already have
volume to add to since the City of Chicago is already generating volume under the
Cardinal wholesaler agreement.

How should members request an item added to MMCAP contract?
o The most streamlined method for a member to request a product addition to the
MMCAP program is to send an email to the MMCAP contracting team, at
mmcap.contracts@state.mn.us.

Where should members send their questions for MMCAP?
o MMCAP staff would be happy to answer member questions. Any questions about
MMCAP forms or programs may come directly to MMCAP for time saving efficiency. We
will continue to work closely with IPHA, however, members do not need to filter the
communication through IPHA.
o To locate our staff in regards to specific products and supplies, please go to our website
www.mmcap.org and click on “Contact Us” in the gray strip and scroll down to the
bottom of the page. There you will see staff emails along with the specific programs
they coordinate, feel free to contact them if you are interested in knowing more about
each program.
o For member convenience, the MMCAP mainline 651.201.2420 is available to help with
questions.

What vendors are contracted for the MMCAP Dental Products & Services Program?
o Darby Dental products only contract has been signed and is effective September 15,
2014
o DHPI products and services contract is fully executed and will be effective October 1,
2014.
o An additional products and services contract is expected to be executed before
September 30, 2014.

What is the Pharmaceutical Pricing Catalog and how is it used?
o The Pharmacy Catalog portion of the MMCAP website is updated weekly with current
product contract pricing. It may be used by members that need to check their invoiced
price against the contracted price for pharmaceuticals to verify contract pricing
attachment at the pharmaceutical wholesaler.
o The catalog access requires a separate log in and password versus the other parts of the
MMCAP website. To log into the catalog, your username will be the same as your facility
ID#, and your initial password will be gps2004. You will want to change this password to
individualize your sign on, as catalog usage is person-specific due to the sensitive nature
of the information in the catalog. Note: you do not need to be logged in to the website
to select Pharmacy Catalog from the top banner and log in to the pharmaceutical pricing
catalog.

How is the Pharmacy Catalog different from the MMCAP website?
o Website
 Contract information
 Vendor contact information
 MMCAP program information
o

 Not for order placement
Catalog
 Pharmaceutical pricing information
 Separate log-in required
 Outside vendor updates pricing weekly
What is the maximum amount that a health department may bill to Medicare for vaccines?
o Your facility/counties will want to do research regarding billing vaccine purchased under
contract. I would suggest they receive a legal opinion from the County Attorney. Our
vaccine contracts can be reviewed on the MMCAP website at www.mmcap.org. There
are many facets of health departments billing for vaccines that I do not clearly
understand and would not want to give you any advice that may be misinterpreted.
o The attached FAQ may help guide you on the issue – however, your health department
may still want to seek legal counsel since each fact situation is so specific to the
facility/county.
Revised 9-23-14