Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

Take a new look at Part D's new immunization policy if the following sounds good to you: a new stream of revenue combined with a chance to serve seniors more holistically.

Open door: More than 90 percent of states now allow pharmacists to administer vaccines to patients, reports Dennis Williams, a past president of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists. That reality combined with Part D's new policy may spell opportunity for many community pharmacies.

Immunization coverage rates have improved during the time that pharmacists have administered vaccines, says Williams. Still, some pharmacists will have to promote their ability to immunize: Many patients still aren't familiar with the service.

If you promote your service, the sell shouldn't be hard, however. "Pharmacists have a unique perspective of the populations we are trying to serve," says a spokesperson for Project Immunize Virginia.

Two clear advantages: Convenience and the opportunity for one-on-one patient education.

If you'd like to become more active as a community immunizer, consider finding a coalition in your state promoting pharmacists' involvement and collaboration with other health care providers. Your state health department is a good starting point. To find the appropriate contact in your state, go to the Web site of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/international/relres.html.

The Virginia Pharmacists Association Research & Education Foundation has created a guide for health care providers seeking to join forces to improve immunization access. Find the report, "Immunization Coalitions and Pharmacists Working Together: Best Practices," at http://www.ncpharmacists.org.

How-to: Coalitions can advise you on required training as well as increasing community awareness of your services. Activities such as health fairs can help promote your pharmacy as an immunizer. So can leadership roles on related committees.