Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act

This legislation, titled the "Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act," aims to expand Medicare Part B coverage to include certain services provided by pharmacists. Specifically, it defines "pharmacist services" to encompass evaluation and management, testing, and treatment for conditions such as COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and streptococcal pharyngitis . Additionally, it covers testing or treatment services that address a public health need related to a declared public health emergency. For these services to be covered, they must be within the pharmacist's legally authorized scope under State law and, if required, furnished under the supervision or in collaboration with a physician or practitioner. The bill establishes a payment rate for these services at 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or 85 percent of the physician fee schedule amount, with 100 percent payment for services addressing public health emergencies. It also prohibits balance billing for these pharmacist services, with all amendments applying to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2026 .