AL HJR171

Expresses legislative support for designating pharmacists as health care providers in Alabama.

Pharmacists currently do not qualify for Medicare Part B payments when providing services to patients due to lack of this designation.

Pharmacists provide medication usage recommendations in collaboration with physicians/prescribers, reduce costs, and improve patient health outcomes.

Without health care provider status, pharmacists cannot obtain practice insurance beyond prescription filling and cannot contribute to Alabama's under-served areas.

Alabama is in the minority of states that have not yet designated pharmacists as health care providers, which limits Medicare beneficiaries' access to pharmacist services in outpatient settings.