SBLBSHP Newsletter
Summer 2021
Legislation Updates Pharmacy Policy & Legislative Day By Rosalin Preechakul, PharmD, APh, BCPS, Legal Affairs Chair
On August 4th, CSHP hosted a virtual Pharmacy Policy & Legislative Day where attendees were able to connect directly with policy makers to understand the policies and programs enhancing the scope of pharmacy practice. Below is a brief summary of some of the topics discussed.
Federal Provider Status Update Dr. Kyle Robb, State Policy and Advocacy Associate, ASHP What does “Provider Status” mean? “Provider Status” means designating pharmacists as “providers” in the Social Security Act. This would pave the way for pharmacists to be added to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule thereby enabling direct compensation to pharmacists for patient care services to Medicare beneficiaries via Part B Benefit. Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act (HR 2759/ S1362) would amend the Social Security Act to add pharmacists as eligible Part B providers in Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) as defined by the Heath Resources & Services Administration. The bill aligns Medicare state laws, which allow pharmacists to provide a variety of care services, including medication management, monitoring chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, smoking cessation services, and coordinating transitions of care. Why hasn’t Federal Provider Status Passed? Factors impacting passage: (1) Cost: Congress is hesitant to pass this legislation due to costs and have asked for legislation with a smaller price tag (2) Legislation is limited: This bill only addresses reimbursement for pharmacists in medically underserved areas and populations. (3) Other Providers: Hesitancy from other providers to expand pharmacist provider status What can you do to help? Please continue to submit your support letters by following the link on CSHP to support this bill. 3
