5 minute read
Executive Insight
MICHAEL JACKSON, BPHARM, RETIRED EVP & CEO, FLORIDA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION
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Tenacity is a term describing persistent and ongoing effort to achieve a goal. In the quest for provider status, our industry continues to fight for a long overdue recognition of the services provided by today’s highly trained pharmacist practitioners. There are some key questions to ask what this issue is and why are we asking for this. To understand this issue, let us look to the Medicare program.
We all know that one of the largest payers of health care services is the Medicare and Medicaid program. Many health payer systems mimic the ongoing policies of these two Federal and State funded health programs. What we also know is that pharmacists have been providing a higher level of care for a number of years including but not limited to medication therapy management, general patient health consultations, assessments, immunization services, medication reconciliation, ordering and evaluating laboratory tests and many others. What we don’t have is a full recognition of these services by Medicare and Medicaid. Our state practice act and our accompanying rules has matured over the years clarifying that we have authority to perform a higher level of care. The problem is payment or lack thereof. Simply put, when you look at the list of recognized providers of health care under Medicare Part B, pharmacist provided services are not there.
What can be done about this? The answer is to advocate for a change in Federal law that recognizes pharmacists as health care providers. For the past several years, Congress has been presented bills designed to correct this oversight however Washington, DC has not acted on these proposals. This advocacy campaign for the first time has united all within our profession calling for a unified message to Congress. The message is simple. Recognizing pharmacists as health care providers is essential public health policy. Of course, it is designed to acknowledge the work of our colleagues but more important it creates an access point for the medically underserved.
There are publications suggesting that we are facing a shortage of primary care providers. There are two pressing issues that are compounding this problem. Practitioners are approaching retirement age and are giving careful consideration to leaving the profession. Advocates are fighting to fix that through calling for additional funding for medical schools and residency programs. While this can help, it is not enough. The population growth here in Florida is significant with some estimates suggesting that our state will swell by over 3 million citizens over the next 10 years. Compound this with the aging general population of Florida with longer life spans and you have a scenario where there are not enough health care workers. Add in the stressors of the pandemic and you have a formula ripe for changing policy.
Our members need to be aware that H.R. 7213, the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act has been filed and is designed to accomplish the following: ■ Enable pharmacists and pharmacies to be eligible providers for Medicare beneficiaries for testing for COV-
ID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and strep throat; treatment of COVID-19, influenza, and
Michael Jackson, B.Pharm, CPh FPA CEO (Ret)
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FLORIDA PHARMACY TODAY BOARD
Chair....................David Mackarey, Boynton Beach Vice Chair.................................. Matt Schneller, Tampa Treasurer................................... Eric Jakab, Gainesville Secretary............................. Julie Burger, Pensacola Member ........................Michael Finnick, Jacksonville Member....................... Carol Motycka, Jacksonville Member ...........................Teresa Tomerlin, Rockledge Member...................................... Greta Pelegrin, Hialeah Technician Member..........Julie Burger, Pensacola Executive Editor ......Michael Jackson, Tallahassee Managing Editor..................Dave Fiore, Tallahassee Journal Reviewer........................... Dr. Melissa Ruble Journal Reviewer....................................Dr. Angela Hill
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FLORIDA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION
610 N. Adams St. • Tallahassee, FL 32301 850/222-2400 • FAX 850/561-6758 Web address: www.floridapharmacy.org. strep throat; and vaccinations for
COVID-19 and influenza. ■ Establish Medicare coverage and payment for new pharmacy and pharmacist provided services in the case of public health emergencies and public health needs as determined by HHS. ■ Such services would be limited to state scope of practice.
When you look at the coverage of the legislation, you may come to the conclusion that its scope is limited and that the services you are able to provide go far beyond what the bill is trying to do. Have faith in knowing that adoption of this legislation is the first step. With continuing advocacy efforts and good old fashion grassroots campaigning by our members, this initiative can go farther.
The pandemic can be one of our major talking points supporting this need to change Federal policy. Our industry has been called upon repeatedly by the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House to assist with mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic. When the request to step up and take on a larger role with COVID-19 testing and immunizations, more vaccines were put into arms of Americans by pharmacists than any other profession. We are the reason why this country will exit this current health care crisis. Let’s use this as equity to call for change that finally recognizes us for the value that we bring to consumers.
The take home message for each of you is simply reach out to members of the Florida Congressional delegation and ask your member of Congress to sign on in support of H.R. 7213. Find your congressman through this tool on the Florida House of Representatives web site: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/ Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx
