Apple Health (Medicaid), administered by the Health Care Authority (HCA), will implement changes to the State Maximum Allowable Costs (SMAC) list for the fee-for-service (FFS) Prescription Drug Program, effective December 15, 2026.  The full SMAC list can be found on the agency’s Provider billing guides and fee schedules website under the Prescription Drug Program and applies to claims billed FFS.

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

Effective October 1, the Health Care Authority (HCA) published quarterly updates to many of the Apple Health billing guides.

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

The Health Care Authority (HCA) Apple Health is hosting another pharmacy Q&A discussion for pharmacy billers on November 4, 1:30 – 2:30 pm, phone conference ID: 873897520#, Phone conference ID: 873897520#, Telephone: +1 564 999 2000 US (Local – Olympia, WA) +1 833 322 1218 US (Toll-free).

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

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) filed a CR-101 Rulemaking Inquiry package under WSR 26-18-021 to consider amending WAC 246-945-203 through 246-945-220. It also proposed adopting new sections in chapter 246-945 WAC to potentially expand pathways to pharmacy technician certification, clarify the technician-in-training endorsement on pharmacy assistant registrations and resolve inconsistencies in pharmacy technician-training program requirements.

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

On August 1, Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) declared a State of Emergency due to wildfires, imposing a burn ban through September 30 and authorizing additional emergency resources. The declaration covers Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens and Yakima counties, as well as the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.

Also in Washington, pharmacies must follow Washington’s emergency continuity-of-care rules, which allow pharmacists to dispense up to a 30-day emergency supply of noncontrolled medications, a 7-day emergency supply of Schedule III-V controlled substances and select one-time emergency refills when prescribers are unavailable. Apple Health (Medicaid) directs pharmacies to use existing emergency refill and medication replacement policies to ensure patients can access medications during wildfire disruptions and evacuations.

Finally in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) issued a reminder stating that “When the governor issues an emergency proclamation for an event which prevents continuity of health care for persons and animals because their prescribed medications are no longer available to them due to the emergency event, pharmacists and pharmacies may provide emergency prescription supplies for medications during the period of the proclaimed emergency” as provided in WAC 246-945-332.

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

The Health Care Authority (HCA) Prescription Drug Program posted the third quarter Preferred Drug List (PDL) showing which drugs are preferred and non-preferred for Uniform Medical Plan and Workers’ Compensation at the Department of Labor and Industry.

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

The Health Care Cost Transparency Board made several recent changes to its advisory committee meetings: 

• Separated the joint meetings of the Health Care Stakeholder Advisory Committee and the Data Issues Advisory Committee, based on your feedback, to ensure sufficient time for detailed discussion. 

• Adjusted the meeting dates for the Nominating Committee and the Primary Care Advisory Committee.

Also in Washington, Apple Health (Medicaid) issued two provider updates: 

• Effective July 1, the Health Care Authority (HCA) is publishing quarterly updates to many of the Apple Health billing guides. Billing guides are located on HCA's Provider billing guides and fee schedules webpage.  

• HCA revised several vaccine billing guides, aligning its coverage policy with ESHB 2242, 2026 Regular Session to include the State Department of Health's immunization recommendations and guidance. 

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

The State Health Care Authority hosted a webinar on June 4 to educate providers about the implications of H.R. 1 changes to Apple Health (Medicaid) eligibility for refugees, asylees and other non-citizen adults. 

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

Also in Washington, the Department of Health (DOH) launched a new Vaccine Recommendations webpage, providing current state immunization recommendations and related guidance for health care providers and local health jurisdictions. 

Also in Washington, following the completion of its accessible labeling rulemaking in January 2025, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission developed a signage template, per WAC 246-945-029, for dispensing practitioners and dispensing facilities to inform patients of the availability of interpretation and translation services. This template can be displayed to meet the signage requirement in WAC 246-945-029(3) or printed out and provided to the patient to meet the notification requirement in WAC 246-945-029(4). The template is now available through the commission's Policies, Procedures and Guidelines webpage. 

Finally in Washington, the Department of Health's Community Health Worker Community of Practice (CHW COP) is hosting a webinar on June 23, focusing on partnering with pharmacies by highlighting the role of Community Health Workers in supporting access to medications, preventive services and coordinated care within the community.  

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

Effective April 1, all prescribing providers must be enrolled with ProviderOne as an Apple Health provider. This includes any pharmacists who administer vaccines or prescribe products within their scope of practice. While this requirement has been in effect for the fee-for-service program since 2014, starting in April this applies to managed care organizations (MCOs). 

Also in Washington, Apple Health (Medicaid), administered by the Health Care Authority will implement changes to the State Maximum Allowable Costs (SMAC) list for the fee-for-service (FFS) Prescription Drug Program. View MAC memo for rate changes effective June 1. 

Finally in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) announced that Trinity Wilson was appointed Medicaid Director, overseeing Apple Health (Medicaid) and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Wilson brings more than 12 years of experience in Apple Health, with a background spanning eligibility policy and operations, customer and provider services and enterprise systems. She has served as Interim Medicaid Director since November 2025. 

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