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:
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.