Carey Potter, CPNP Government Affairs Consultant
As 2016 creeps to a close and we prepare not only to welcome President Trump and a new Administration, we also look forward to a new year that is likely to be full of Congressional legislative opportunities. This past year might seem as though your ACCP/CPNP coalition did little… if anything. That is the difficulty with government affairs efforts. It’s difficult to measure the value and successes. Unless, of course, you get a new law passed, which in this case would be to provide reimbursement to qualified clinical pharmacists who are practicing Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM), and billing for it under Medicare Part B. No. We didn’t get that accomplished. But what we did accomplish was actually great strides toward the effort.
Your coalition forged great relationships with Congressmen Erik Paulsen-MN, and Peter Welch- VT. The two introduced the Better Care, Lower Cost Act, aimed at providing better care and outcomes for patients with chronic conditions. Many conversations were had surrounding our CMM practice, and how that would be relevant to the Act. The two supported the coalition in hosting a Hill Day Briefing on CMM, which was attended by at least twenty-five staffers, sent to learn more about CMM. Likewise, the Senate Finance Committee shifted focus to chronic conditions and treatment of patients. Both efforts in the House and Senate will be revisited in January, and the ACCP/CPNP coalition’s proposed language recognizing CMM as a pharmacy service, under Medicare Part B, is at the forefront of the conversation. Finally, Congress is looking at the big picture, including cost savings, patient outcomes and team based care; in essence, Comprehensive Medication Management.
So, I do not have great things that are obvious to report at the close of yet another year. But I can assure you that your goals to see CMM recognized as a reimbursed service are inching forward. Whether that effort is in a stand-alone document, included in an amendment to legislation such as the Better Care, Lower Cost Act, or as a language within the Senate’s Chronic Care initiative, CMM is making its way toward recognition. I thank each of you who continue to practice at the top of your license, promoting CMM and quality patient centered care. Our statewide legislative efforts and your successes are being shared with members of Congress. And they are listening.