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| Wilson Proposes Medicare Coverage of Clinical Pharmacists |
April 10, 2008 |
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Bill would increase access to health care in rural areas of New Mexico
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R-NM) today introduced the Medicare Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner Services Coverage Act of 2008, a bill to provide coverage of clinical pharmacists for seniors in Medicare Part B along with Congressman Bob Etheridge (D-NC). The legislation would allow Medicare to recognize and reimburse clinical pharmacists for the first time, similar to the way physician assistants and nurse practitioners are currently covered.
Clinical pharmacists are advanced practice pharmacists that have an additional 60 hours of training in physical assessment and 150 hours of clinical experience under the supervision of a physician. They can write prescriptions and can practice in a doctor’s office, hospital, health center, or in a pharmacy.
“With a shortage of primary care physicians statewide and particularly in rural areas, this legislation will improve access to medical care for seniors and many others with limited access to primary care services,” said Wilson.
“This is important legislation for the future of pharmacists, as the profession evolves and expands to include more clinical practice and provide primary care services.”
The bill recognizes the changes in the practice of pharmacy from the traditional notion of dispensing pills to a greater focus on clinical practice. The profession of pharmacy is evolving to focus more on patient care with programs like medication therapy management, a program authorized in the new Medicare Part D drug benefit.
Clinical pharmacists have never been covered in Medicare or able to be reimbursed directly by Medicare, although coverage is extended to similar providers such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners that provide clinical evaluations of patients.
“For many years clinical pharmacists in New Mexico have been collaborating with physicians to provide quality medical care, and this legislation will provide federal recognition of that close working relationship as well as additional opportunities to enhance patient care. New Mexico Pharmacists thank Congresswoman Heather Wilson for introducing this legislation,” said Dale Tinker of the New Mexico Pharmacists Association.
Wilson’s bill will likely lead to an increase in the number of clinical pharmacists in New Mexico and encourages other states to develop similar programs. There are currently about 90 clinical pharmacists certified in New Mexico. Clinical pharmacists are called pharmacist clinicians in New Mexico, and are trained at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, which supports the legislation. Wilson worked with the UNM College of Pharmacy in drafting this legislation, and announced her intention to sponsor this legislation at a visit to the College of Pharmacy last year.
The legislation is supported by the New Mexico Pharmacists Association, New Mexico Medical Society, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and Association of Community Pharmacists.
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