RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

The effective date for coverage requirements was changed from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2025.

Coverage requirements were extended to include mutual benefit societies in addition to private and public health plans.

New sections were added to address Medicaid reimbursement eligibility and telehealth service definitions.

The definition of participating registered pharmacists was updated to specify contracting requirements with insurers and mutual benefit societies.

Changed the effective date for coverage requirements from July 1, 2026 to January 1, 2026.

Added explicit coverage requirements for mutual benefit societies and health maintenance organizations, which were not clearly addressed in the original version.

Added new provisions requiring insurers and mutual benefit societies to accept pharmacist credentialing when credentialing is delegated to healthcare facilities.

Added provisions stating that participation in prescription drug benefit plans does not automatically satisfy network requirements for registered pharmacists.

Added a sunset provision setting an effective date of December 31, 2050, with specific conditions for Medicaid-related sections.

Changed bill designation from HD1 to HD2 and updated page numbering and formatting metadata.

Added Section 5 to require the Department of Human Services to apply for Medicaid plan amendments or waivers to implement the bill's provisions.

Added Section 6 to define key telehealth terms including 'distant site', 'health care provider', 'interactive telecommunications system', 'originating site', and 'telehealth'.

Modified the definition of 'participating registered pharmacist' in Section 2 to specify contracting with the insurer rather than a mutual benefit society.

Removed the Senate's specific language about Medicaid fee schedule percentages and appropriation act requirements found in Sections 5 and 6 of the original draft.

Added Section 10 specifying the bill takes effect December 31, 2050, with Medicaid sections effective upon CMS approval.

Removed the Senate's original findings about physician shortages and pharmacist skills that were replaced with more general language about bridging gaps.

Effective date changed from December 31, 2025 to July 1, 2026 for most coverage requirements.

Added explicit requirement for health plans to pay or reimburse pharmacists for services, not just recognize them as participating providers.

Added new definitions for telehealth, including specific modalities like store and forward technologies, remote monitoring, and mobile health.

Added pharmacists to the list of covered health care providers in the Medicaid fee schedule definitions.

Added provisions requiring the appropriation act to establish Medicaid fee schedules based on Medicare rates.

Added requirement for the Department of Human Services to seek federal Medicaid plan amendments or waivers to implement the bill.