Bill > H7921

This bill, effective January 1, 2027, authorizes licensed pharmacists to provide "test-and-treat services," which involve assessing a patient, performing and interpreting "CLIA-waived tests" (simple laboratory tests approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for home or office use), and prescribing medications for certain conditions. These authorized conditions will be determined by statewide protocols developed by the Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Department of Health, and will include common illnesses like influenza and COVID-19, as well as other conditions deemed appropriate based on safety and public health needs. Pharmacists will be required to complete specific training before offering these services and must document each encounter, notifying the patient's primary care provider if one exists. Importantly, all health insurance carriers, including those regulated by state law, nonprofit hospital service corporations, nonprofit medical service corporations, and health maintenance organizations, will be required to cover these pharmacist-provided test-and-treat services if they would have covered the same services performed by a physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant, and will need to include pharmacists in their provider networks.

Health and Social Services

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