Legislation of concern to pharmacies that mandates prescription label translations was amended for a second time on the House floor and approved by the full House. NACDS will work with other pharmacy groups on the Senate side to get the House Health Care and Wellness Committee Substitute language restored. (HB 1852)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health Care Authority (HCA) announced that the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now a covered benefit under the Family Planning Only programs, effective February 1, 2022. For billing information, please refer to the Family Planning Billing Guide on the HCA website.
Also in Washington, in advance of the February 3rd House Finance Committee hearing, NACDS sent letters to members of the Committee and leadership stating our opposition to HB 2091, legislation that would increase the Business and Occupation (B&O) tax on prescription drug wholesalers.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Apple Health (Medicaid) covers over–the–counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests with or without a prescription for clients. An adjudicated pharmacy claim is required for reimbursement. Pharmacies may not bill for test administration of an OTC COVID-19 test as these tests should be used by the patient in the home setting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
In advance of the January 17th House Health Care and Wellness Committee hearing on HB 1852 / SB 5840 legislation that would require by January 1, 2023, prescription label translations in 15 languages for both the directions for use and the side effects of the drug, the latter which is not currently required to be on the label, NACDS submitted this statement for the record opposing the bill.
NACDS has substantial concerns that although well-intentioned, this bill would impose new requirements for labeling prescriptions in multiple languages that would be redundant to the ways that pharmacies ensure meaningful access to care for individuals with limited English proficiency under 45 CFR 92.201. Moreover, we are concerned that the requirements of this bill go beyond what is practical and could potentially undermine the numerous ways that pharmacies already provide translation services to their patients. We, therefore, urge Washington lawmakers to reject his impractical legislation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The State Health Care Authority (HCA) issued a statement that while they are not able to implement at this time, HCA is working to create a process to meet these legislative mandates in a law passed last year, Substitute Senate Bill 5195. The law requires HCA to reimburse hospitals, behavioral health agencies, or pharmacies who dispense opioid overdose reversal medication to uninsured individuals by January 1, 2022. The plan will include a process to back-dated opioid reversal medication claims to January 1, 2022.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The State Department of Health’s (DOH) December 7th COVID-19 partner call the Health Care Authority and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner will present information on reimbursement for patient counseling on COVID-19 vaccines, and provider billing and reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccines.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The State Department of Health (DOH) announced that as of early November, more than 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered since distribution began in mid-December 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The State Health Care Authority updated HCA’s Provider billing guides and fee schedules for COVID-19.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health Care Authority has a new email address for inquiries on new or updated policies and procedures.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
