Legislation Would Allow Pharmacists to Perform Wellness Checks and Other Routine Services Under Medicare / Most States Already Allow Pharmacists to Provide These Services but There Currently is No Way for Pharmacists to Receive Medicare Reimbursement for Providing Them
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), joined by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced legislation to encourage pharmacists to serve older Americans and people with disabilities in communities lacking easy access to doctors or where pharmacists are more convenient to visit for certain services than doctors.
“Across the country and in Pennsylvania pharmacists play a critical role in helping seniors receive access to routine healthcare services like wellness checks,” Senator Casey said. “This legislation will aid those in rural communities who may not live in close proximity to the doctor but do have regular contact with their pharmacist. I’m hopeful that Congress will move forward on this commonsense legislation in the coming year.”
The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act encourages pharmacists to offer health care services such as health and wellness screenings, immunizations and diabetes management by authorizing Medicare payments for those services where pharmacists are already licensed under state law to provide them. Most states already allow pharmacists to provide these services but there currently is no way for pharmacists to receive Medicare reimbursement for providing them.
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