As an independent community pharmacist, you’re capable of providing more services than ever to your patients. But because of the restrictions presented by reimbursements and billing, the range of services you can offer your patients—and get paid for—is severely limited.
The role of the pharmacist is expanding, but legal recognition of that role hasn’t kept up. Until now. The push for provider status is gaining momentum, and you can help in the fight to get pharmacists recognized as providers.
In 2014, H.R. 4190 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. If passed, this legislation would secure provider status for pharmacists under Medicare Part B, allowing Medicare beneficiaries in medically underserved communities access to pharmacist-provided patient care services. The legislation has widespread, bipartisan congressional support, and wide public support, too.
According to a survey conducted for the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), 83 percent of voters agree that pharmacists have both the education and the training to do more than fill prescriptions, and 66 percent say that they already think of pharmacists as “health care providers.”
Ninety-five percent of pharmacists say that provider status is important to them, so show your support. Provider status for pharmacists would be good for you, your business and the future of your profession. Here are some steps you can take to push for provider status for pharmacists.
Know the facts
Provider status for pharmacists is not just beneficial for pharmacies, but also for the entire health care system. Allowing patients access to pharmacist-provided services will help counter the physician shortage, lower health care costs and improve patient care. Having facts to back up your claims will allow you to confidently advocate for provider status to your patients and to your community. Learn more here.
Be active on social media
Share updates and articles on the push for provider status with your followers on Facebook and Twitter. You can use the hashtag #ProviderStatus to stay connected with the national campaign. This is an easy and non-intrusive way to convey the importance of these changes to your patients and to the public.
Write to your representative
Contacting your U.S. House representative is one of the best ways to gain support for provider status. APhA has drafted a letter that you can personalize and send. Find the letter here. Additionally, you can try to speak with your representative in person at an event such as a town hall meeting, or invite him or her to visit your pharmacy.
Connect with other pharmacists
Encourage your colleagues to get involved, too. The APhA Pharmacists Provide Care campaign currently has more than 10,000 supporters, but getting even more pharmacists involved will greatly facilitate success.
Securing provider status for pharmacists will allow you to fully utilize your training, expand your business and be recognized as a needed health care professional. Join the push for provider status today! Learn more at pharmacistsprovidecare.com
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CDTM and the Future of Pharmacy
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