PHARMACIST ENGAGEMENT IN AND PAYMENT FOR TELEHEALTH

To advocate for pharmacists’ provision of telehealth services in all sites of care; further,

To advocate that reimbursement for pharmacists’ provision of telehealth services be commensurate with the complexity and duration of service and consistent with other healthcare providers.

Rationale

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, hospitals, health systems, and clinics quickly pivoted to providing patient services via telehealth. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, commercial payers, and state policymakers have indicated that they would like to maintain telehealth services post-pandemic. Because pharmacists are not Medicare-eligible, it has been a struggle to ensure that they can be reimbursed for services provided via telehealth. In particular, it is vital that services be reimbursed at a level commensurate with the complexity and duration of the service and consistent with other healthcare providers, to ensure that patients can maintain access to services.