CO SB135

Health benefit plans may cover health care services provided by pharmacists under specific treatment protocols delegated by physicians or advanced practice nurses, with four conditions: pharmacist meets statutory requirements, same service is covered when provided by physicians or nurses, pharmacist is in the health plan's network, and reimbursement rate is negotiated in good faith.

Pharmacists may enter collaborative practice agreements with physicians or advanced practice nurses if they hold a current Colorado license, have a pharmacy doctorate or 5+ years experience, carry adequate professional liability insurance, devote practice time to collaborative work, and establish communication/documentation processes with the collaborating provider.

Pharmacists cannot enter collaborative agreements without an established patient relationship between the physician/nurse and patient, unless a statewide protocol exists; for statewide protocols, pharmacists must communicate with patients' primary care providers and provide written records if no primary provider exists.

Collaborative practice agreements do not create employer-employee relationships and cannot affect public employee status; pharmacies and pharmacists cannot hire physicians or nurses solely to establish collaborative agreements.

The State Board of Pharmacy, Colorado Medical Board, and State Board of Nursing must jointly promulgate rules implementing the law, including authorized health care services and statewide protocols for collaborative pharmacy practice agreements.