Giving Pharmacists Provider Rights

Authors

Tanya E. Karwaki, West Virginia University College of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Changes to our health care system, robotics and health care mergers among them, are forcing pharmacists into expanded provider roles, yet federal policymakers are failing to act on these changes. State lawmakers are acting but not swiftly enough. A federal response, including recognizing pharmacists as health care providers and making them eligible for independent Medicare reimbursement, will be necessary to enable pharmacists to fill their role in our health care system. Policymakers have an opportunity now to respond proactively to a changing climate in health care by clarifying the boundaries on pharmacists’ services, particularly those boundaries regarding direct patient care and the appropriate reimbursement level. In doing so, policymakers may also alleviate some of the scope of practice “turf wars” health care providers engage in and incentivize better patient care and lower health care costs.

DOI

10.37419/LR.V8.I2.3

First Page

331

Last Page

366

Recommended Citation

Tanya E. Karwaki, Giving Pharmacists Provider Rights, 8 Tex. A&M L. Rev. 331 (2021).
Available at: https://doi.org/10.37419/LR.V8.I2.3