ST. PAUL, Minn. (March 9, 2021) — The Minnesota Pharmacists Association and the National Community Pharmacists Association support two bills in the Minnesota State Legislature that will ensure patients continue to receive guidance on their medications. In March of 2020, Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed a peacetime emergency order allowing pharmacists to provide medication therapy management (MTM) services to patients via telephonic or with two-way audio and visual, both known as telehealth, maintaining reimbursement for these services.
Many health systems and pharmacies are now equipped with the technology and infrastructure to provide quality telehealth services. SF 1160 and HF 1412 will ensure that patients continue to have access to these critical services after the peacetime emergency order expires and will ensure provider reimbursement for these services.
The proposed change also expands services for telehealth to include audio-only communication in addition to two-way audio and visual communication. It would also remove the requirement that MTM be delivered in a brick-and-mortar location, allowing for video or telephonic visits for patients with Medicaid.
“Providing medication therapy management services virtually allowed many more patients to receive care in 2020, despite a global pandemic,” said MPhA Executive Director Sarah Derr, PharmD. “There are often physical or scheduling limitations to patients accessing care and by expanding telehealth services, more Minnesotans were able to connect with pharmacists and receive the care they required.”
“Pharmacists have played a critical role in keeping patients healthy during the pandemic, and medication therapy management is a critical aspect in patient care,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist, MBA. “Because of COVID-19, contactless visits have been required by officials at times limiting the vital face to face interactions with their pharmacist while others, due to transportation or mobility limitations are unable to travel to see their pharmacist. The Minnesota Telehealth Act will continue to give pharmacists and patients additional tools to connect and ensure that important medication reviews are not interrupted.”
More background on MPhA’s 2021 legislative priorities is available here.
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Founded in 1883, the Minnesota Pharmacist Association (MPhA) mission is serving Minnesota pharmacists to advance patient care. MPhA is one of the longest standing pharmacy organizations in the state of Minnesota and in the country. We have a strong history of collaboration and connection to advance our mission and vision. To learn more, visit www.mpha.org.
Founded in 1898, the National Community Pharmacists Association is the voice for the community pharmacist, representing more than 21,000 pharmacies that employ 250,000 individuals nationwide. Community pharmacies are rooted in the communities where they are located and are among America's most accessible health care providers. To learn more, visit www.ncpa.org.
