The legislature adjourned on March 13. Unfortunately, our priority bill, SSB 5924, legislation that would have removed administrative barriers to pharmacist-provided care by allowing independent prescribing and diagnosis within a pharmacist's scope of practice, did not advance. It was based on the Department of Health Sunrise Review recommendations.  

Also in Washington, effective April 1, the Health Care Authority (HCA) is publishing quarterly updates to many of the Apple Health Billing Guides.  

Also in Washington, effective April 1, all pharmacy providers who prescribe must be enrolled with ProviderOne as Apple Health providers. This requirement applies to pharmacists who administer vaccines or prescribe products within their scope of practice. While this has been required for the Medicaid fee-for-service program since 2014, it will now also apply to Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs). 

Also in Washington, the Department of Health Pharmacy Commission review of pharmacies submitting data to the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Clearinghouse revealed that about 25% are not reporting the date a prescription is sold (dispensed). Pharmacies dispensing controlled substances must report three specific and distinct dates to the PMP: (1) Date of dispensing (sold date); (2) Prescription issue date (written date); and (3) Prescription number and fill date (fill date). Pharmacies may need to contact their software vendors to ensure their systems' date fields are updated to enable accurate reporting to the PMP. 

Finally, in Washington, the state Health Care Authority's (HCA) Health Care Cost Transparency Board's next meeting is on March 25.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

SSB 5934, the standard of care bill that could expand pharmacists’ practice authority by allowing them to independently prescribe and diagnose within their scope of practice based on education and experience, passed the Senate but died in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

SSB 5934, the standard of care bill, would expand pharmacists’ practice authority by allowing them to independently prescribe and diagnose within their scope of practice, based on education and experience. The bill passed the Senate earlier this month and is awaiting a hearing in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The state’s standard of care legislation, SSB 5924, expands pharmacists’ practice authority by allowing independent prescribing and diagnosis within their scope of practice, based on education and experience. The bill was approved by the full Senate on February 17 and now advances to the House for further consideration.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

NACDS sent members a Call to Action for SSB 5924, legislation expanding pharmacist practice authority by allowing independent prescribing and diagnosis within a pharmacist’s scope of practice, determined by their individual training, education and experience. The amended bill on the Senate floor lists certain conditions that pharmacists, meeting defined educational and experiential criteria, are authorized to treat.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee approved a substitute to SB 5924, a bill aimed at expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists. This legislation seeks to eliminate administrative barriers to pharmacist-provided care by permitting independent prescribing and diagnosis within a pharmacist's scope of practice, based on their individual training, education and experience. An amendment to the bill now includes a list of specific conditions that pharmacists, who meet certain educational and experience requirements, are authorized to treat. 

Also in Washington, SB 6228 and identical HB 2707, legislation that would repeal the pharmaceutical wholesale distribution Business & Occupations (B&O) preferential tax rate, had a hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee in late January, but no action was taken. The House bill was referred to the Finance Committee. The Healthcare Distributors (HAD) requested we share its one-pager with our members. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) is hosting two legislative days this year on January 28 and February 23 to meet with legislators to inform them about practice and priority issues. 

Also in Washington, the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee is holding a hearing on January 30 on SB 5924, legislation expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists by removing the administrative barriers to pharmacist-provided care by allowing independent prescribing and diagnosis within a pharmacist's scope of practice and based on individual training, education and experience. The legislation is modeled after laws enacted in Idaho and Iowa and builds on 46 years of safe pharmacist prescribing and diagnostic authority already permitted in the state through Collaborative Drug Therapy Agreements (CDTAs). This week, NACDS issued a CALL to ACTION asking members to register in support of the bill. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The legislature convened a short session on January 12 and will adjourn on March 12. 

Also in Washington, pharmacies' priority legislation granting pharmacists independent authority was pre-filed in both chambers. SB 5924 by Senators Vandana Slatter (D) and Shelly Short (R) and, the companion bill, HB 2302, filed by Representatives My-Linh Thai (D) and Nicole Macri (D). 

Also in Washington, Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) and Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer (D), a friend of pharmacies, jointly requested that the legislature give state agencies decision-making authority over vaccines and preventive services. SB 5967/HB 2242 allows the Department of Health (DOH) to propose vaccine recommendations based on medical and scientific expertise and evidence, without relying solely on recommendations from federal committees. The bill will ensure that children and adults in the state have access to vaccines grounded in science, based on safety and efficacy. The bill also preserves health plan coverage for DOH-recommended vaccines and freezes coverage for federal preventive services recommendations. This bill does not establish new vaccine mandates or change any laws related to consent for immunizations. Public hearings were scheduled in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care on January 15 and in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness on January 16. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Health Care Authority (HCA) Office of Health Professions submitted to the Legislature the Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority Sunrise report on December 19, 2025. This was provided in response to the request of the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee last spring, directing the Department of Health to review a proposal to increase the pharmacist scope of practice to assess whether it meets the sunrise criteria in RCW 18.120.010. The request would allow the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission, the authority to regulate licensed pharmacist prescribing outside of a collaborative agreement.

Also in Washington, the 2026 first-quarter Preferred Drug List (PDL) utilized by Uniform Medical Plan and the Department of Labor and Industry for worker’s compensation claims was posted by the Health Care Authority (HCA).

Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) announced that the Apple Health (Medicaid) provider enrollment application fee for 2026 increased to $750.00.

Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) published quarterly updates to many of the Apple Health billing guides, effective January 1, 2026.

Also in Washington, in response to recent flooding, the HCA authorized Apple Health (Medicaid) Fee-for-Service pharmacy providers to furnish medications and supplies to clients, as needed, if such products have been lost, destroyed or have become inaccessible due to flood-related conditions.

Also in Washington, Apple Health Fee-for-Service (FFS) does not have an electronic pharmacy prior authorization (PA) system and does not contract with healthcare software companies that offer automated PA solutions.

How to submit a PA for FFS:

• Pharmacy prior authorization
• Step-by-step guide for prior authorization

Drug coverage and billing guidelines:

• Apple Health Preferred Drug List (PDL)
• Apple Health (Medicaid) drug coverage criteria (clinical policies)
• Provider billing guides and fee schedules

Finally in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) and Department of Health (DOH) released a new resource library to help healthcare providers and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel build knowledge and confidence to prescribe and administer medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). A National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) study found that MOUD like buprenorphine and methadone can help manage opioid withdrawals and cravings and cut opioid-related deaths by half. Yet, these medications remain underused across the medical community. The new MOUD resource library gives Washington providers practical, easy-to-follow guidance for discussing and providing MOUD to their patients, which helps break down common barriers to treatment like stigma and lack of information. HCA and DOH also launched an awareness campaign to connect providers to training, clinical support and patient education materials.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.