Purpose

The purpose of the bill is to modify the coverage and payment processes for certain pharmacy services within Minnesota's human services framework.

Main Provisions

• Coverage Expansion: The bill specifies that medical assistance will now cover services provided by licensed pharmacists, aligning these services to those typically covered under a physician's scope of practice. This means that pharmacists are recognized as providers for the procedures they are qualified to perform.
• Reimbursement Requirements: It mandates that both fee-for-service plans and managed care plans, including county-based purchasing plans, must reimburse pharmacists or pharmacies for services at a rate no lower than what is paid to physicians for the same services.

Significant Changes

• Recognition of Pharmacists: The bill introduces a significant change by formally recognizing licensed pharmacists as eligible providers of certain medical services traditionally associated with physicians.
• Standardized Payment Rates: Establishes that pharmacists will receive equal reimbursement to physicians for services within their shared scope. This could lead to more cost-effective and accessible health services, as pharmacists can offer certain medical care.

Relevant Terms

• Medical assistance
• Licensed pharmacist
• Fee-for-service
• Managed care plan
• County-based purchasing plan
• Scope of practice
• Reimbursement rate