Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0019 to align with the provisions of section 1262 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, by removing the requirement for a Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA) waiver for prescribing practitioners from the medicaid state plan. Under DATA 2000, qualifying practitioners were required to obtain waivers to dispense certain schedule III – V narcotic medications, such as buprenorphine, used in maintenance or detoxification treatment (medication-assisted treatment). Section 1262 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, enacted on December 29, 2022, removes this requirement.

At this time, HCA does not have sufficient data to determine whether SPA 24-0019 will have an effect on the annual aggregate expenditures/reimbursement/payment for providers dispensing narcotic medications such as buprenorphine for maintenance or detoxification treatment.

A copy of SPA 24-0019 is available for review. HCA would appreciate any input or concerns regarding this SPA. To request a copy of the SPA or submit comments, please contact the person named below by March 11, 2024 (please note that all comments are subject to public review and disclosure, as are the names of those who comment).

CONTACT: Andrea Allen, Occupational Nurse Consultant, 626 8th Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-725-1819, TRS 711, email andrea.allen@hca.wa.gov.