As the role of pharmacists continues to expand in direct patient care and the shortage of physicians continues to increase, the need to recognize pharmacists as providers has never been more urgent. Ohio Senator Matt Dolan introduced Senate Bill 265 to include pharmacists among the medical professionals recognized as providers by the State. The bill was signed into law by Governor Kasich earlier this year.  The law not only changes the provider definitions in the state, but also provided ways for pharmacists to be compensated for both the patient care services they provide through the state’s Medicaid insurance program.

 

The new law directs health plan issuers to pay or reimburse pharmacist for all health services that a pharmacist is legally authorized to provide and that are covered by the health benefit plan. Examples of services that would now be compensated for include managing drug therapy as well as administering immunizations and injectable drugs.  The law also authorizes health insurers, health care practitioners, and organized health care groups to hire pharmacists as part of the collaborative patient care team.

 

Stuart Beatty, PharmD, Associate Professor in Clinical Pharmacy Practice and Science at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, expressed his support for the new law, stating it will expand pharmacist involvement on medical teams and ultimately have a positive impact on health outcomes. He also stated that the law provides a framework and will hopefully influence legislation on the national level as well as increase reimbursement through private insurance companies. The law specifically recognizes pharmacists as providers for Medicaid but will also empower pharmacists to contract private insurance companies in the state. Beatty also believes the law will have positive impact on patients in rural areas in Ohio where there are inadequate numbers of physicians and nurse practitioners, but access to a pharmacy and pharmacists’ services is still commonplace. Beatty believes this new payment mechanism would not only help bring revenue to rural pharmacies, but provide an incentive for pharmacists to engage with patients to improve overall health and patient outcomes.

 

The new law will go into effect on April 5, 2019.  As pharmacist continue to gain opportunities to expand patient care services, the pressure to pass federal legislation continues to rise.