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Ohio Medicaid Pharmacists Now Authorized to Apply for Provider Status

 

Pharmacists affiliated with the Ohio Medicaid program now have the opportunity to enroll as recognized providers, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced Wednesday.

ODM adopted the measure authorized by the General Assembly to expand access to services in rural and other communities where limited access to medical care may exist, according to the department. It allows an enrolled pharmacist to manage medication therapy in collaboration with a prescribing medical professional; administer a wider range of immunizations, including childhood immunizations; and administer certain injectable medications as permitted by state law. 

“As experts in medication therapy, Ohio pharmacists are licensed and well-prepared to help manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure outside of a formal health care setting,” ODM Director Maureen Corcoran said in a prepared statement. “They also are authorized under state law to perform certain clinical activities in partnership with physicians and other prescribers. These services already are available to many Ohioans with private insurance and through pharmacies affiliated with our five managed care organizations. This new program fills in the gaps by providing access closer to home to more Medicaid recipients.” 

As of Sunday, Jan. 17, ODM began reimbursing enrolled pharmacists in fulfilling a role for which they are trained and licensed and which provides one more tool to help address the gap.

Story originally published in The Hannah Report on January 20, 2021.  Copyright 2021 Hannah News Service, Inc.

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