Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: The purpose of the proposed amendment is to clarify that the department does not cover over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and minerals except when determined by the department to be the least costly therapeutic alternative for a medically accepted indication.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-530-1000, 388-530-2000, and 388-530-2100.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.700.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 08-24-078 on December 1, 2008.

     Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: Text additions are indicated by underlining and deletions are indicated by Strikeouts.

WAC 388-530-2000 (1)(g), (h):

     (g) Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, without a prescription, to promote smoking cessation only for clients who are eighteen years of age or older and participating in a department-approved smoking cessation program providing sufficient funds are appropriated by the state legislature. Limitation extensions as described in WAC 388-501-0169 are prohibited for the age and counseling requirements in this section.

     (h) Prescription drugs to promote smoking cessation only for clients who are eighteen years of age or older and participating in a department approved smoking cessation program providing sufficient funds are appropriated by the state legislature. Limitation extensions as described in WAC 388-501-0169 are prohibited for the age and counseling requirements in this section.

WAC 388-530-2100 (2),(3):

     (2) A client can request an exception to rule (ETR) as described in WAC 388-501-0160. If a noncovered drug is prescribed through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) process, an authorization request may be submitted indicating that the request is EPSDT related, and the request will be evaluated according to the process in WAC 388-501-0165. (See WAC 388-534-0100 for EPSDT rules).

     (2) (3) A client can request an exception to rule (ETR) as described in WAC 388-501-0160.

     A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Jonell O. Blatt, P.O. Box 45504, Olympia, WA 98504-5504, phone (360) 725-1571, fax (360) 586-9727, e-mail blattjo@dshs.wa.gov.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: February 5, 2009.

Stan Marshburn

Interim Secretary

     (2) The department reimburses for outpatient drugs, vitamins, minerals, devices, and pharmaceutical supplies that are:

     (a) Covered. Refer to WAC 388-530-2000 for covered drugs, vitamins, minerals, devices, and drug-related supplies and to WAC 388-530-2100 for noncovered drugs and drug-related supplies;

     (b) Prescribed by a provider with prescriptive authority (see exceptions for family planning and emergency contraception for women eighteen years of age and older in WAC 388-530-2000 (1)(b), and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to promote smoking cessation in WAC 388-530-2000 (1)(((a)(v)))(g);

     (c) Within the scope of an eligible client's medical assistance program;

     (d) Medically necessary as defined in WAC 388-500-0005 and determined according to the process found in WAC 388-501-0165; and

     (e) Authorized, as required within this chapter;

     (f) Billed according to WAC 388-502-0150 and 388-502-0160; and

     (g) Billed according to the requirements of this chapter.

     (3) Coverage determinations for the department are made by the department's pharmacists or medical consultants in accordance with applicable federal law. The department's determination may include consultation with the drug use review (DUR) board.

     (4) The department may not reimburse for prescriptions written by healthcare practitioners whose application for a core provider agreement (CPA) has been denied, or whose CPA has been terminated.

     (5) The department may not reimburse for prescriptions written by non-CPA healthcare practitioners who do not have a current core provider agreement with the department when the department determines there is a potential danger to the client's health and/or safety.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.700, 2008 c 245. 08-21-107, § 388-530-1000, filed 10/16/08, effective 11/16/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.700. 07-20-049, § 388-530-1000, filed 9/26/07, effective 11/1/07; 06-24-036, § 388-530-1000, filed 11/30/06, effective 1/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.09.080, 74.04.050 and 42 C.F.R. Subpart K, subsection 162.1102. 02-17-023, § 388-530-1000, filed 8/9/02, effective 9/9/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050. 01-01-028, § 388-530-1000, filed 12/7/00, effective 1/7/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090. 96-21-031, § 388-530-1000, filed 10/9/96, effective 11/9/96.]

     (a) Outpatient drugs, including over-the-counter drugs, as defined in WAC 388-530-1050, subject to the limitations and requirements in this chapter, when:

     (i) The drug is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);

     (ii) The drug is for a medically accepted indication as defined in WAC 388-530-1050;

     (iii) The drug is not excluded from coverage under WAC 388-530-2100;

     (iv) The manufacturer has a signed drug rebate agreement with the federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Exceptions to the drug rebate requirement are described in WAC 388-530-7500 which describes the drug rebate program; and

     (v) Prescribed by a provider with prescriptive authority (see exceptions for family planning and emergency contraception for women eighteen years of age and older in WAC 388-530-2000 (1)(b), and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to promote smoking cessation in WAC 388-530-2000 (1)(g).

     (b) Family planning drugs, devices, and drug-related supplies per chapter 388-532 WAC and as follows:

     (i) Over-the-counter (OTC) family planning drugs, devices, and drug-related supplies without a prescription when the department determines it necessary for client access and safety.

     (ii) Family planning drugs that do not meet the federal drug rebate requirement in WAC 388-530-7500 on a case-by-case basis; and

     (iii) Contraceptive patches, contraceptive rings, and oral contraceptives, only when dispensed in at least a three-month supply, unless otherwise directed by the prescriber. There is no required minimum for how many cycles of emergency contraception may be dispensed.

     (c) Prescription vitamins and mineral products, only as follows:

     (i) When prescribed for clinically documented deficiencies;

     (ii) Prenatal vitamins, when prescribed and dispensed to pregnant women; or

     (iii) Fluoride prescribed for clients under the age of twenty-one.

     (d) OTC drugs, vitamins, and minerals when determined by the department to be the least costly therapeutic alternative for a medically accepted indication.

     (e) Drug-related devices and drug-related supplies as an outpatient pharmacy benefit when:

     (i) Prescribed by a provider with prescribing authority;

     (ii) Essential for the administration of a covered drug;

     (iii) Not excluded from coverage under WAC 388-530-2100; and

     (iv) Determined by the department, that a product covered under chapter 388-543 WAC Durable medical equipment and supplies should be available at retail pharmacies.

     (((e))) (f) Preservatives, flavoring and/or coloring agents, only when used as a suspending agent in a compound.

     (((f))) (g) Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, without a prescription, to promote smoking cessation only for clients who are eighteen years of age or older and participating in a department-approved smoking cessation program. Limitation extensions as described in WAC 388-501-0169 are prohibited for the age and counseling requirements in this section.

     (((g))) (h) Prescription drugs to promote smoking cessation only for clients who are eighteen years of age or older and participating in a department-approved smoking cessation program. Limitation extensions as described in WAC 388-501-0169 are prohibited for the age and counseling requirements in this section.

     (2) The department does not reimburse for any drug, device, or drug-related supply not meeting the coverage requirements under this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.700, 2008 c 245. 08-21-107, § 388-530-2000, filed 10/16/08, effective 11/16/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.700. 07-20-049, § 388-530-2000, filed 9/26/07, effective 11/1/07.]

     (a) A drug that is:

     (i) Not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); or

     (ii) Prescribed for a nonmedically accepted indication, including diagnosis, dose, or dosage schedule that is not evidenced-based.

     (b) A drug prescribed:

     (i) For weight loss or gain;

     (ii) For infertility, frigidity, impotency;

     (iii) For sexual or erectile dysfunction; or

     (iv) For cosmetic purposes or hair growth.

     (c) Drugs used to treat sexual or erectile dysfunction, in accordance with section 1927 (d)(2)(K) of the Social Security Act, unless such drugs are used to treat a condition other than sexual or erectile dysfunction, and these uses have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

     (d) Drugs listed in the federal register as "less-than-effective" ("DESI" drugs) or which are identical, similar, or related to such drugs.

     (e) Outpatient drugs for which the manufacturer requires as a condition of sale that associated tests or monitoring services be purchased exclusively from the manufacturer or manufacturer's designee.

     (f) A product:

     (i) With an obsolete national drug code (NDC) for more than two years;

     (ii) With a terminated NDC;

     (iii) Whose shelf life has expired; or

     (iv) Which does not have an eleven-digit NDC.

     (g) Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, and minerals, except when determined by the department to be the least costly therapeutic alternative for a medically accepted indication.

     (h) Any drug regularly supplied by other public agencies as an integral part of program activity (e.g., immunization vaccines for children).

     (((h))) (i) Free pharmaceutical samples.

     (((i))) (j) Over-the-counter or prescription drugs to promote smoking cessation unless the client is eighteen years old or older and participating in a department-approved cessation program.

     (2) If a noncovered drug is prescribed through the early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) process, an authorization request may be submitted indicating that the request is EPSDT related, and the request will be evaluated according to the process in WAC 388-501-0165. (See WAC 388-534-0100 for EPSDT rules).

     (3) A client can request an exception to rule (ETR) as described in WAC 388-501-0160.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.700, 2008 c 245. 08-21-107, § 388-530-2100, filed 10/16/08, effective 11/16/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.700. 07-20-049, § 388-530-2100, filed 9/26/07, effective 11/1/07.]

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