Oregon approves provider status. Sort of?

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HansomWare
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So I got this email 3 days ago, and haven't heard anything else about it in the news or elsewhre:
HB 2028 establishing Provider Status for pharmacists in Oregon flew through the Senate floor yesterday and is headed to the Governor’s desk. This is a great development. Thanks to all that have chased this advance for the profession over the past four years.

I've tried to read into the legislation a little bit, but I'm not sure what HB 2028A really does for pharmacy. It appears we might be able to submit payment (without expectation of reimbursement) for things like smoking cessation counseling. I imagine this will mainly create opportunities for patients on the state's health plan.

This is Oregon State Pharmacy Association's little blurb on the bill:

Provider Recognition
The formal recognition of pharmacists as providers in state law is a key step toward ensuring that adequate payment is available to support the services they provide. Product-based reimbursement (e.g., payment for drug products and the act of dispensing the drug products) drive current funding models rather than compensation for the direct-care services that pharmacists provide patients. HB 2028 establishes provider recognition for pharmacists delivering services within their scope of practice and authorizes payment for those services if delivered pursuant to a services agreement with a payer. The bill does not create a mandate to provide clinical pharmacy services nor does it require that pharmacists provide those services or that payers reimburse pharmacists for those services.

Statewide Protocols
HB 2028 would expand the statewide protocol process used by the Oregon Health Authority and the Board of Pharmacy for the prescription of vaccinations to include other patient care services such as smoking cessation and travel health services. The Immunization and Vaccination Advisory Committee would be changed to the Public Health Advisory Committee and would provide guidance to OHA and the Board of Pharmacy on the development of protocols for various patient care services.
 
I haven't heard anything about this from the BOP, and I am Oregon licensed. My guess is that it will be a while before this is put into effect.
 
"Provider status" really starts when the state recognizes pharmacists through the state medicaid program and establishes payment through that. I don't think a law is required most places that says insurance companies can now pay pharmacists for patient care services, I think they can do that on their own.
 
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