Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act · Introduced in House (2025-05-01)

SEC. 2. Coverage of pharmacist services under medicare part B

(a) Coverage

Section 1861 of the Social Security Act () is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1395x
- in subsection (s)(2)—
  - in subparagraph (JJ), by adding at the end; and
    - pharmacist services (as defined in subsection (nnn));
  - by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
  - (nnn) Pharmacist services
    - (1) In general
      - The term means such services furnished by a pharmacist, and such services and supplies furnished as an incident to the pharmacist’s service, which the pharmacist is legally authorized to perform under State law as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physicians’ service which— pharmacist services
        
        in the case such State law requires such services to be furnished under the supervision of, or working in collaboration with, a physician or practitioner (as defined in section 1842(b)(18)(C)(i)), are so furnished under the supervision of, or working in collaboration with, such physician or practitioner in the manner and to the extent as so required by such State law; and
        
        are—
        
        (i) for visits for the evaluation and management of individuals for testing or treatment for COVID–19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, or streptococcal pharyngitis; or
        
        (ii) testing or treatment services that address a public health need related to a public health emergency declared under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (as determined by the Secretary).
    - (2) Collaboration
      - For purposes of this subsection, the term means a process in which a pharmacist works with a physician or practitioner (as defined in section 1842(b)(18)(C)(i)), as applicable, to deliver health care services within the scope of the pharmacist’s professional expertise, with medical direction and appropriate supervision as provided for in jointly developed guidelines or other mechanisms as defined by the law of the State in which the services are performed. collaboration
- by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(b) Payment

Section 1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act () is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)
- by striking and (HH)and inserting (HH); and
- by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: .

Section 1842(b)(18) of the Social Security Act () is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(18)
- in subparagraph (A), by inserting after ; and
- in subparagraph (B)—
  - in the first sentence, by inserting after ; and
  - in the third sentence—
    - (i) by inserting after ; and
    - (ii) by inserting after .

(d) Application

The amendments made by this section shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.

H.R. 3164

Table of contents

SEC. 1. Short title

SEC. 2. Coverage of pharmacist services under medicare part B