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 7^th 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.

The Health Care Authority’s (HCA) Apple Health (Medicaid) announced that they are implementing changes to the State Maximum Allowable Costs (SMAC) list for the fee-for-service (FFS) Prescription Drug Program on November 1, 2021.

Also in Washington, HCA is publishing quarterly updates to billing guides starting on October 1, 2021.

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

The Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee and Drug Utilization Review Board are meeting virtually on October 20th at 9 AM to review drug classes for the Apple Health (Medicaid) PDL. To preregister and access the meeting materials, go to WA P&T Committee.

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

To help combat phony vaccination cards, the Department of Health (WSDH) created a guide Verifying Vaccination Cards  to help verify COVID-19 vaccination record cards. If a patient presents a vaccine card that is fake, report it to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General and the Washington State Office of the Attorney General (ATG).

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