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Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act

USA119th CongressS-2426| Senate 
| Updated: 7/24/2025
John Thune

John Thune

Republican Senator

South Dakota

Cosponsors (29)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Roger Marshall (Republican)Markwayne Mullin (Republican)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Dan Sullivan (Republican)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Mike Rounds (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)James Lankford (Republican)John Kennedy (Republican)Deb Fischer (Republican)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Gary C. Peters (Democratic)Steve Daines (Republican)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)Shelley Moore Capito (Republican)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act" proposes to amend Medicare Part B to include coverage for certain pharmacist services. These services are defined as those a pharmacist is legally authorized to perform under state law, which would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician's service. If state law requires, these services must be furnished under the supervision of or in collaboration with a physician or practitioner. Specifically, covered services include visits for evaluation and management, testing, or treatment for COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or streptococcal pharyngitis . Additionally, the bill covers testing or treatment services addressing a public health need related to a declared public health emergency. Medicare would pay 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or 85 percent of the payment basis, with 100 percent for services addressing public health needs, and balance billing for these services would be prohibited. These changes are set to apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2477
Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act
Jul 24, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 24, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2477
    Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act


  • July 24, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 24, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Health

Related Bills

  • HR 119-3164: Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act

Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act

USA119th CongressS-2426| Senate 
| Updated: 7/24/2025
The "Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act" proposes to amend Medicare Part B to include coverage for certain pharmacist services. These services are defined as those a pharmacist is legally authorized to perform under state law, which would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician's service. If state law requires, these services must be furnished under the supervision of or in collaboration with a physician or practitioner. Specifically, covered services include visits for evaluation and management, testing, or treatment for COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or streptococcal pharyngitis . Additionally, the bill covers testing or treatment services addressing a public health need related to a declared public health emergency. Medicare would pay 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or 85 percent of the payment basis, with 100 percent for services addressing public health needs, and balance billing for these services would be prohibited. These changes are set to apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2477
Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act
Jul 24, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 24, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2477
    Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act


  • July 24, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 24, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
John Thune

John Thune

Republican Senator

South Dakota

Cosponsors (29)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Roger Marshall (Republican)Markwayne Mullin (Republican)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Dan Sullivan (Republican)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Mike Rounds (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)James Lankford (Republican)John Kennedy (Republican)Deb Fischer (Republican)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Gary C. Peters (Democratic)Steve Daines (Republican)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)Shelley Moore Capito (Republican)

Finance Committee

Health

Related Bills

  • HR 119-3164: Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted