The purpose of H.R 592 and S. 109 is to expand access of pharmacists’ services rural areas and Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA). By recognizing pharmacists as eligible providers, patients are enabled to access and utilize health services. In turn, pharmacists have the opportunity to advocate for cost-effective interventions in the management of chronic illnesses and improve health outcomes in patients who need the assistance.
H.R 592 and S. 109, known as the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, has been reintroduced into Congress for bipartisan vote. This bill, if passed will amend section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act allowing Medicare beneficiaries residing in underserved areas to receive pharmacist provided services under Medicare Part B.
The Social Security Act identifies providers who are eligible for reimbursement for the utilization of medical services. H.R. 592 and S. 109 aims to include pharmacists along with nurse practitioners and physician assistants to reimburse pharmacist services at 85% of the physician fee schedule. The bill does not change the pharmacist capacity or breadth of services. Pharmacist provided services will still adhere to state laws as defined scope of practice.1,2
The shortage of primary care providers is exacerbated by the increasing elderly population. The Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a report projecting the enrollment in Medicare Services to increase from 57.7 million in 2017 to 72 million by 2025.6
Currently, pharmacists are not recognized as a provider for Medicare beneficiaries despite pharmacists operating under a collaborative drug therapy agreement in 46 of 50 states.The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) released a position paper on pharmacists’ roles to include activities falling under collaborative agreements. The American Pharmacists Association define pharmacists’ activities as: initiating, modifying, and monitoring drug regimens, the ordering of relevant laboratory tests, assessing toxicities and responses to treatment, drug counseling and medication education, and medication administration.3
Given pharmacists are not currently recognized as a provider for Medicare beneficiaries, pharmacists cannot alleviate the primary care provider shortage in underserved areas. Presently, the demand for health services in the United States exceed the supply of providers. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has identified critical areas as MUA. These areas have a shortage of primary care providers, high incidence of infant mortality, high poverty rate, and/or elderly population.4 The HRSA has designated MUA areas in 2,541 of the total 3,259 counties in the United States. There are entire states that have been completely designated as a MUA, such as Louisiana and Alabama with a growing demand for health services.5
We are asking you to be an advocate for H.R 592 and S. 109. In doing so, you are advocating on the behalf of your education, profession, and for the patient. Please take the time to contact your legislator in supporting this bill.
Please fill this link, http://cqrcengage.com/ashp/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=287773 in advocating our profession.
Written by: Jasmine Reber & Anthony Boyd,
References
1) H.R.592 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act. Congressgov. 2017. Available at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/592.
2) S.109 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act. Congressgov. 2017. Available at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/109.
3) Staff N. AAFP Defines Role of Pharmacists, Family Physicians in Health Care Delivery System. Aafporg. 2012. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20120118pharmacypaper.html.
4) MUA Find. Datawarehousehrsagov. 2017. Available at: https://datawarehouse.hrsa.gov/Tools/Analyzers/muafind.aspx.
5) Pharmacists Provide Care. Pharmacists Provide Care. 2017. Available at: http://www.pharmacistsprovidecare.com.
6) Projected - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Cmsgov. 2017. Available at: https://www.cms.gov/research-statistics-data-and-systems/statistics-trends-and-reports/nationalhealthexpenddata/nationalhealthaccountsprojected.html.