Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to modify the coverage and payment structure for pharmacy services under Minnesota's medical assistance programs. This is designed to ensure that licensed pharmacists can provide certain medical services and get paid similarly to physicians when delivering these services.

Main Provisions

• The bill allows medical assistance to cover services provided by licensed pharmacists.
• It stipulates that pharmacists will be reimbursed at the same rate as physicians for providing services within their professional scope, aligned with both pharmacists' and physicians' practices.
• This change applies to services covered under fee-for-service medical assistance programs.
• It includes services provided by managed care or county-based purchasing plans.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Previously, the coverage and reimbursement for services provided by pharmacists might have been limited or different compared to those provided by physicians. This bill mandates equal payment for services that overlap between the two professions' scopes of practice, promoting broader utilization of pharmacists in providing medical assistance services.

Relevant Terms

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