Legis Daily

Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act

USA119th CongressS-2800| Senate 
| Updated: 9/15/2025
Chuck Grassley

Chuck Grassley

Republican Senator

Iowa

Cosponsors (1)
Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, titled the "Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act," proposes to expand Medicare coverage to include specific pharmacist services. It mandates that Medicare Part B cover services furnished by state-licensed pharmacists, provided these services are within their legal scope of practice and would typically be covered if performed by a physician or as incident to a physician's service. A key provision is that these covered pharmacist services must be delivered in designated health professional shortage areas , medically underserved areas, or for medically underserved populations. Payment for these services would be set at 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or 85 percent of the physician fee schedule amount. The bill also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop necessary pharmacist-specific codes, with the changes taking effect for services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1362
Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1491
Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act
Sep 15, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Sep 15, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1362
    Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1491
    Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act


  • September 15, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 15, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Health

Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act

USA119th CongressS-2800| Senate 
| Updated: 9/15/2025
This legislation, titled the "Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act," proposes to expand Medicare coverage to include specific pharmacist services. It mandates that Medicare Part B cover services furnished by state-licensed pharmacists, provided these services are within their legal scope of practice and would typically be covered if performed by a physician or as incident to a physician's service. A key provision is that these covered pharmacist services must be delivered in designated health professional shortage areas , medically underserved areas, or for medically underserved populations. Payment for these services would be set at 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or 85 percent of the physician fee schedule amount. The bill also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop necessary pharmacist-specific codes, with the changes taking effect for services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1362
Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1491
Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act
Sep 15, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Sep 15, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1362
    Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1491
    Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act


  • September 15, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 15, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Chuck Grassley

Chuck Grassley

Republican Senator

Iowa

Cosponsors (1)
Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)

Finance Committee

Health

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted