Cornelius, Douglas--OH

Much evidence has been provided over the years indicating the superior results of face-to-face encounters between patients and health care providers, in particular, community-based pharmacists. Since the early '90's many programs have been reviewed and even used as testimony to ensure various employers can provide their associates with the best care available, ultimately reducing over-all health care costs. If this is the case for employers, why would this not hold true as having economic impact for the federal beneficiaries? Most recently, in Ohio, several school district administrators submitted testimony to the School Employees Health Care Board to keep pharmacy benefits in local pharmacies. These testimonies included cost savings realized when involving face to face relationships, including the impact of clinical services like Medication Therapy Management, wellnes coaching, and immunizations. It is time for the regulations to specifically list pharmacists as face-to-face health care providers. Regards, Doug Cornelius, RPh