Committee adopts amendment and advances bill to let pharmacists bill Insurance for certain services

A presenter told the committee that the bill would allow pharmacists to bill insurance companies for clinical services they already provide, including health-status assessments and medication-treatment plans. "It just allow it it basically allows them to bill bill for reimbursement from the insurance companies for services that they're already providing," the presenter said.

The presenter said lawmakers added a reverse-repealer in the strike-all amendment (lines 24–26) and that the panel is waiting for a fiscal study from "pier" to determine whether the measure would cost the state. "So we're we'll be awaiting that assessment. That's that's the explanation of the bill," the presenter said.

During questioning, Senator Glendon asked whether the bill would change pharmacists' scope of practice. The presenter answered, "No." That exchange framed the committee's understanding that the measure authorizes billing for existing clinical activities rather than expanding what pharmacists are allowed to do.

A member moved to adopt the strike-all amendment; the committee voice-voted in favor. Senator Rose then moved that the title was sufficient and that the bill "do pass" as amended; the committee again voice-voted in favor. The transcript records voice responses of "I" for those in favor but does not include a roll-call or numerical tally. Following passage, a motion to "rise and report" carried and the committee rose and reported the item to the next stage.

The bill's proponents said a pending fiscal analysis will determine whether the change has a state budget effect. No fiscal-study results were delivered in the hearing record. The committee advanced the measure subject to that forthcoming assessment.