Community health workers (CHWs) represent a new and exciting opportunity for Texas pharmacies. Following are answers to some frequently asked questions about CHWs in the pharmacy setting.

What is a community health worker (CHW)?

Think of CHWs as the ultimate community connectors! They’re front line health champions who bridge the gap between patients and the resources they need most. Because they share the culture, language, and lived experiences of the people they serve, CHWs quickly build trust and become go-to guides for navigating health care and social services. In short, they’re the friendly, relatable “human GPS” for better health.

What does a CHW do?

CHWs wear many hats. They educate, counsel, advocate, and cheerlead their patients toward healthier lives. One day they might be helping a family sign up for utilities assistance, and the next they’re running an outreach program on diabetes management. Their superpower? Tackling the non-medical barriers (like food, housing, and transportation) that stand between patients and better health.

What impact do CHWs have?

The results speak for themselves:

• Healthier patients: CHWs improve outcomes in chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, HIV, and more, especially when it comes to screenings and medication adherence. 
• Happier patients: People report feeling heard, cared for, and connected when a CHW is involved.
• Lower costs: Improved outcomes and patient engagement mean fewer ER visits, hospitalizations, and last-minute crises, saving the health care system (and patients) money.

What reimbursable codes can CHWs bill?

Good news: CHW services are being recognized (and paid for)! In Texas, CHWs can bill Medicaid for case management services for children and pregnant women. For example, procedure code G9012 covers Family Needs Assessments and Service Plans, reimbursed anywhere from $29 to $146, and this is just the beginning. New reimbursement opportunities are on the horizon as health plans see the huge value that CHWs bring.

What does the future look like for CHWs?

The future is bright, and pharmacies are at the center of it. As automation and AI take over routine tasks, CHWs bring something technology can’t: empathy, relationships, and real-life problem solving. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 13% job growth in CHWs over the next decade, the demand is only increasing. By cross-training pharmacy personnel as CHWs, we can transform pharmacies into hubs of social and community engagement, keeping our profession relevant and our patients healthier than ever.

How can I become a CHW?

It’s more achievable than you might think! In Texas, you can earn CHW certification by completing a 160-hour state-approved training program or showing 1,000 hours of recent CHW experience, then submitting your application to DSHS.