Bill > H1091

This bill expands the role of pharmacists in healthcare by allowing them to order, test, screen, and treat specific health conditions, including influenza, streptococcal infections, COVID-19, and other public health threats as identified by the department. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will be responsible for establishing standard procedures for pharmacists to conduct these health screenings and treatments. Pharmacists will be permitted to use federally waived clinical tests or established screening protocols, and can delegate administrative and technical tasks of performing these tests to pharmacy technicians under their supervision. A critical provision of the bill prevents health insurance plans from denying reimbursement for services performed by pharmacists that would be covered if performed by physicians, advanced practice nurses, or physician's assistants. Additionally, the bill requires insurance carriers and pharmacy benefit managers to develop appropriate provider and consultation codes to ensure pharmacists can be properly compensated for these expanded healthcare services. This legislation represents a significant expansion of pharmacists' clinical roles, potentially improving healthcare access and efficiency by allowing trained pharmacists to provide more direct patient care services.

Business and Industry

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1091