It Can No Longer Be Optional—Medical Billing in the PharmD Curriculum

Abstract

Pharmacists across the United States are rapidly gaining the ability to bill the medical benefit, increasing their ability to optimally and sustainably contribute to patient care. Medical billing is the process by which a provider submits a claim for reimbursement to the medical insurance benefit based on services provided to a patient. As pharmacists lean into new and expanding opportunities related to medical billing, pharmacy educators must also prepare graduates who can explain the importance of and execute skills related to medical billing. Colleges and schools of pharmacy must take action now to improve curricula to ensure student readiness upon graduation. Tools and resources are under development to help support faculty in implementing this curricular change.