SENATE DOCKET, NO. 969        FILED ON: 1/20/2011

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 462

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael J. Rodrigues

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act establishing benefits for services rendered by pharmacists acting under a collaborative practice agreement.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 969        FILED ON: 1/20/2011

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 462

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

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An Act establishing benefits for services rendered by pharmacists acting under a collaborative practice agreement.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. The definition “Health care provider” in section 1 of chapter 111 is of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “registered nurse,” the following word:-  pharmacist.

SECTION 2.  Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Section 47AA.  Registered Pharmacists Service Benefits

Any blanket or general policy of insurance described in subdivision (A), (C), or (D) of section one hundred and ten which is issued or subsequently renewed by agreement between the insurer and the policyholder, within or without the commonwealth, during the period this provision is effective, or any policy of accident and sickness insurance as described in section one hundred and eight which provides hospital expense and surgical expense insurance and which is delivered or issued for delivery or subsequently renewed by agreement between the insurer and the policyholder in the commonwealth during the period that this provision is effective shall provide benefits for services of a registered pharmacist, acting under the authority of a collaborative practice agreement as defined in section twenty-four B and one half of chapter one hundred and twelve; provided, however, that expenses for such services are reimbursed when such services are performed by any other duly licensed practitioner.

SECTION 3.  The first paragraph of section 4 of chapter 176G is hereby amended by inserting, after the seventh sentence, the following sentence:- Such health maintenance contract shall also provide coverage for services rendered by a registered pharmacist as set forth in section twenty-four B and one half of chapter one hundred and twelve.