Position:

VSHP supports compensation to pharmacists for patient care services by payors. VSHP will work with other professional, legislative and payor organizations to pursue changes to a) define pharmacists as providers of patient care and b) issue provider numbers to pharmacists that allow them to bill for patient care services.

VSHP will assist pharmacists in their efforts to attain provider status and receive compensation for patient care pharmacy services.

Background:

Pharmacy care mandates more patient-centered pharmaceutical services rather than purely product-centered orientation. These patient pharmacy care services are a recognized and necessary component of total patient health care. Provision of these services has contributed to the reduction of total health care costs (Archives of Internal Medicine 1995, American Journal of Health-system Pharmacy 1997). Additionally, provision of pharmacy care has been documented to reduce the total cost of health care by $42 billion annually.

VSHP recognizes that each payor may use different payment mechanisms and pharmacists must be cognizant of the types of compensation received in their practice settings. However, VSHP believes that pharmacy care services should be compensated when they are integral to the management plan for the patient.

Methods used to determine the cost of pharmacy care services should be consistent with the methods used to determine costs of other patient-care services. The costs and charges associated with pharmacy care services should reflect the providers reasonable fiscal needs for providing such services.

Summary:

VSHP supports compensation of pharmacists for patient care services by payors. Changes should be established that facilitates compensation to pharmacists for patient care services. VSHP should foster a direct relationship with payors that facilitates compensation for cognitive service provided by pharmacists.

Approved by Board of Directors 06/17/00

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