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Published on Friday, August 19, 2022

Provider status alert: Nevada pharmacists can now bill Medicaid for certain services

CARSON CITY, NV, and WASHINGTON, DC—The Nevada Pharmacy Alliance (NPA) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) are proud to announce that Nevada pharmacists can now bill the state’s Medicaid program for certain health care services.

This past year, the associations have been working on the implementation of Nevada Senate bills SB 190 and SB 325, which were passed during the 81st Legislative Session in 2021. These bills expanded pharmacists' scope of practice to allow them to prescribe and dispense medications for hormonal contraception and HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis per protocols drafted by the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy. Additionally, these bills permit pharmacists in all outpatient care settings to be reimbursed for hormonal contraceptive and HIV prevention services.

Nevada’s Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP), which administers the state's Medicaid program, recently held a final hearing in the implementation process, during which NPA and APhA provided joint testimony. Following the hearing, DHCFP received approval from CMS to begin enrolling pharmacists as providers and reimbursing them for these services.

NPA and APhA were pleased to see DHCFP accept many of the associations’ recommendations, including allowing pharmacists to bill a broad set of current procedural terminology codes.

“Pharmacists are taught in school how to improve outcomes for patients. These two new services that they are able to provide will increase access to medications to prevent HIV infections and unwanted pregnancies. We are very excited to get started,” said Ken Kunke, PharmD, executive secretary of NPA.

Ilisa BG Bernstein, PharmD, JD, FAPhA, interim executive vice president and CEO of APhA, stated “We are proud to partner and support the incredible work of NPA in advancing opportunities to reimburse pharmacists for their patient care services. Nevada has taken a major step forward in advancing access to pharmacist-provided patient care services.”

Kunke also noted that this is just the beginning for Nevada pharmacists. “We are already evaluating opportunities to expand reimbursable services to increase access to care provided by pharmacists in the near future.”

About NPA

NPA was created to focus on the greater good of the pharmacy profession. NPA represents pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy interns in all practice settings in Nevada. We are committed to connecting, educating, and advocating for the profession of pharmacy to optimize patient care and public health and strive to make sure that pharmacy professionals are supported so that they can take care of their patients.

About APhA

APhA is the only organization advancing the entire pharmacy profession. Our expert staff and strong volunteer leadership, including many experienced pharmacists, allow us to deliver vital leadership to help pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians find success and satisfaction in their work while advocating for changes that benefit them, their patients, and their communities. For more information, please visit www.pharmacist.com.

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