Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to enhance healthcare services in Minnesota by expanding the coverage and reimbursement protocols for pharmacy services under the state's medical assistance programs. It seeks to recognize certain services provided by licensed pharmacists as equivalent to those provided by licensed physicians, allowing for broader access to healthcare support.

Main Provisions

• Coverage Inclusion: The bill proposes that services provided by licensed pharmacists, which fall within both the pharmacist's and physician’s scope of practice, are covered under medical assistance programs.

• Applicable Programs: This coverage applies to both fee-for-service medical assistance and managed care plans, as well as county-based purchasing plans.

• Reimbursement Equality: The legislation mandates that pharmacists be reimbursed at the same rate as physicians for equivalent services. This means that pharmacists providing qualified healthcare services will receive payments reflective of the standard physician reimbursement rates.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 to formally include a subdivision that specifies the inclusion of and payment for pharmacist services within the scope of medical assistance programs.

• It establishes a precedent for recognizing pharmacist-provided services as eligible for equal reimbursement when they align with services typically provided by physicians.

Relevant Terms

pharmacy services, medical assistance, licensed pharmacist, licensed physician, reimbursement rates, managed care plan, fee-for-service, county-based purchasing plan, healthcare coverage.