The State Department of Health Office of Immunizations is hosting a 2024-2025 Respiratory Virus Season: Vaccine Recommendations, Ordering and Distribution webinar on September 17. Presenters will discuss influenza, COVID-19, and RSV epidemiology, vaccine recommendations and vaccine ordering and distribution.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) posted its quarterly newsletter.
Also in Washington, PQAC updated and approved the Nonresident Pharmacy: List of Approved Inspection Programs Directive at the August meeting. The updated version is effective October 1, 2024, for all nonresident pharmacies.
Finally in Washington, the Department of Health (DOH) filed a CR-102 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking amending a section of rule, WAC 246-945-015 Minimum Requirements for Dispensing Practitioners, creating four new sections of rule:
The proposed rule requires that all dispensing practitioners and dispensing facilities in the state provide prescription information to the patient on the container in a format that can be accurately comprehended by the patient. A public hearing for this proposed rulemaking will be held on October 4, 2024. The CR-102 form and the rule language may be viewed at the following links:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Gov. Jay Inslee (D) announced two new appointments to his executive team. Pat Sullivan will be director of the Washington State Office of Financial Management, and Sheri Sawyer will be his new executive director of legislative affairs.
Also in Washington, the Heath Care Authority (HCA) began enrolling eligible individuals into Apple Health Expansion in mid-June with coverage beginning July 2024. Apple Health Expansion is a new program designed to provide full-scope health care coverage to people aged 19 years or older with certain immigration statuses.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health posted its July monthly bulletin “epiTRENDS”.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (commission) is soliciting public comments on its draft rule language for Mobile Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Units. The rules workshop will be held at the August 22 Business Meeting. The draft rule language proposes to amend WAC 246-945-060 and WAC 246-945-250 to modify registration and facility requirements pertaining to mobile OTP units and the other controlled substance registration. The Proposed Mobile Opioid Treatment Program Unit Rule Language may change in response to future feedback from the commission and the public. Written comments may be submitted to Haleigh Mauldin, Program Consultant, at PharmacyRules@doh.wa.gov until midnight on August 8. Oral comments may be provided at the August rules workshop.
Also in Washington, Apple Health’s new pharmacy point-of-sale system is a few weeks post go-live and the Health Care Authority’s pharmacy team has scheduled several listening sessions to meet with pharmacy billers to gather feedback regarding experiences with claims and prior authorizations
Finally in Washington, the third quarter Washington preferred drug list (PDL) has been posted to the website. The state’s PDL shows which drugs are preferred and which are non-preferred for Uniform Medical Plan and the Department of Labor and Industries.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Committee (PQAC) held a one-day meeting on June 27.
Also in Washington, starting in July, Apple Health coverage is expanding to adults age 19 years and older with certain immigration status.
Finally in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) published quarterly updates to many of the Apple Health billing guides that go into effect on July 1, 2024. Billing guides are located on HCA’s Provider billing guides and fee schedules webpage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) is meeting on June 27. Written comments must be submitted by 5:00 pm on June 21 to WSPQAC@doh.wa.gov.
Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority’s (HCA) Health Care Cost Transparency Board began collecting data from the largest health insurance carriers in the state in 2022. The first annual report, Health care spending growth in Washington, 2017–2019, and one-page summary of key findings are now available.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health Care Authority (HCA) is hosting a webinar on June 25 at 11 :00 am Pacific time to educate providers on Apple Health (Medicaid) eligibility, benefits and expansion.
Also in Washington, Apple Health’s new point-of-sale system is live and processing claims. Providers are reminded to update to the new billing information for fee-for-service (FFS) clients:
Also In Washington, Apple Health’s new fax number is 833-991-0704.
Also in Washington, the Chief Science Officer signed an updated standing order that allows pharmacies to dispense the naloxone products to eligible persons and entities.
Also in Washington, HCA (Health Care Authority) published a revised Prescription Drug Program Billing Guide.
Finally in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) is accepting applications to fill current and upcoming public member and pharmacist member vacancies. To qualify for a public member position, an individual must be a resident of Washington State and not affiliated with any aspect of pharmacy. To qualify for a pharmacist member position, an individual must be a resident of Washington State and, at the time of their appointment, have been a licensed pharmacist in Washington State for at least five consecutive years immediately preceding appointment.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health Care Authority (HCA) will change to a new pharmacy point-of-sale system on June 8. The system will be off from midnight until 3:30 pm on June 8-9. HCA will notify providers once the new system is running and can adjudicate claims. At 5:00 pm on June 6, pharmacy prior authorization faxes will cease being accepted. HCA will start accepting prior authorization faxes again on June 10. HCA’s ProviderOne Point of Sale (POS) Replacement Project provided an updated payer sheet.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.