The House Health Care and Wellness Committee is holding a work session on December 1 to take written and virtual testimony on pharmacy benefit manager impacts on prescription drug costs. NACDS will provide members with the agenda and our comment letter before the hearing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) is conducting a survey to assess current pharmacy practices pertaining to accessible labeling for both patients with visual and/or print disabilities and patients who require that prescription information be translated into another language besides English. The survey also includes whether such options are already made available, and what technological, financial or resource-based obstacles prevent such options from being offered. Any licenses are strongly encouraged to participate in the survey.
Also in Washington, the fourth quarter Preferred Drug List (PDL) has been posted to the Reports webpage. This PDL is used by Uniform Medical Plan and the Department of Labor and Industry.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) is conducting an accessible labeling capability assessment survey to assess current pharmacy practices around providing accessible labeling options to patients, including whether such options are already made available, and what technological, financial, or resource-based obstacles prevent such options from being offered. PQAC filed a rulemaking inquiry (CR-101) to consider new and amended rules related to prescription label accessibility standards on issues pertaining to both visual/print disability access and the translation of prescription drug information for individuals for whom English is not a primary language.
Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) is publishing quarterly updates to many of the Apple Health billing guides effective October 1, 2022.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health Care Authority (HCA) has made the following updates to its COVID-19 monoclonal antibody policy concerning HCPCS code Q0222:
See Apple Health Monoclonal Antibody Treatment COVID-19 clinical policy, under COVID-19, Policies, and billing guidance for more information regarding the policy and procedure codes involved.
HCA revised the COVID-19 Fee Schedule. See HCA’s Provider billing guides and fee schedules, under COVID-19.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health Care Authority announced that the University of Washington Pain and Opioid Provider Consultation Hotline is a free telephone consultation service for health care providers caring for patients with chronic pain issues. Any health care provider in Washington State can receive consultation and recommendations from a pharmacist or physician with specialized expertise in chronic pain care.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health Care Authority (HCA) revised the Apple Health (Medicaid) COVID-19 vaccine clinical policy and the Emergency COVID-19 fee schedules.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Care Authority (HCA) Director Sue Birch selected Dr. Charissa Fotinos, who has been the interim state Medicaid Director since August of 2021, as the new state Medicaid Director. Dr. Fotinos will also continue to serve as HCA behavioral health medical director.
Also in Washington, effective July 1, 2022, 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.
Finally in Washington, the State Health Care Authority (HCA) is beginning the first step of making its Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS), known as ProviderOne, more flexible and modifiable. First, HCA is working to replace the existing Pharmacy Point of Sale (POS) system. The new Pharmacy POS solution will offer the latest functionality, features, and technologies to better meet the needs of Washington’s Medicaid clients.
On the day of go‐live, fee‐for‐service pharmacy claims will no longer be billable using our current processor control number (PCN) and bank identification number (BIN). HCA will provide the new PCN/BIN as the project gets closer to go‐live. After the initial implementation, HCA will be adding functionality for pharmacies and prescribers to submit prior authorization requests through a new, secure online portal.
Sign up for the Health Care Authority’s email list to receive future updates on this project, including the go‐live date and PCN/BIN changes. If you have questions, contact pharmacyposproject@hca.wa.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health Care Authority (HCA) revised the Emergency COVID-19 Fee Schedule provider billing guidelines under COVID-19 for Apple Health.
Also in Washington, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board will be meeting on June 15th to review drug classes for the Washington PDL, and for the DUR Board to review drug classes for the Apple Health (Medicaid) PDL. This meeting will be held by Zoom webinar only. You will need to register for the webinar to receive the meeting link.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health Care Authority’s recently approved second quarter preferred drug list is now available.
Also in Washington, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2022, to review drug classes for the Washington PDL (Preferred Drug List), and the drug classes for the Apple Health (Medicaid) PDL. This meeting will be held by Zoom online seminar only and you will need to register in advance to receive the meeting link.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.