Pathway to pharmacist medical provider status in Washington State

Abstract

Objectives: To describe Washington State's successful legal and legislative efforts to gain pharmacist medical provider status and major medical compensation and to compare those efforts with similar efforts in other states to identify key lessons learned.

Summary: Washington State Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5557 was enacted in 2015, securing pharmacists as medical providers and requiring compensation under major medical insurance for pharmacists providing health services (Revised Code of Washington 48.43.715). Other states have passed, or attempted to pass, pharmacist provider status bills, but none have achieved both pharmacist medical provider status and mandatory major medical compensation.

Conclusion: Pharmacist medical provider status ideally should include recognition as a medical provider and compensation through major medical health insurance as a clinical decision maker rather than an "incident-to" provider. Both elements should be sought as part of a complete legislative package to ensure sustainable patient access to needed health care services.