RCW 41.05.533
Medication synchronization policy required for health benefit plans covering prescription drugs—Requirements—Definitions.
(1) A health benefit plan offered to public employees and their covered dependents under this chapter that is not subject to chapter 48.43 RCW, that is issued or renewed after December 31, 2015, and that provides coverage for prescription drugs must implement a medication synchronization policy for the dispensing of prescription drugs to the plan's enrollees.
(a) If an enrollee requests medication synchronization for a new prescription, the health [benefit] plan must permit filling the drug: (i) For less than a one-month supply of the drug if synchronization will require more than a fifteen-day supply of the drug; or (ii) for more than a one-month supply of the drug if synchronization will require a fifteen-day supply of the drug or less.
(b) The health benefit plan shall adjust the enrollee cost-sharing for a prescription drug subject to coinsurance that is dispensed for less than the standard refill amount for the purpose of synchronizing the medications.
(c) The health benefit plan shall adjust the enrollee cost-sharing for a prescription drug with a copayment that is dispensed for less than the standard refill amount for the purpose of synchronizing the medications by:
(i) Discounting the copayment rate by fifty percent;
(ii) Discounting the copayment rate based on fifteen-day increments; or
(iii) Any other method that meets the intent of this section and is approved by the office of the insurance commissioner.
(2) Upon request of an enrollee, the prescribing provider or pharmacist shall:
(a) Determine that filling or refilling the prescription is in the best interest of the enrollee, taking into account the appropriateness of synchronization for the drug being dispensed;
(b) Inform the enrollee that the prescription will be filled to less than the standard refill amount for the purpose of synchronizing his or her medications; and
(c) Deny synchronization on the grounds of threat to patient safety or suspected fraud or abuse.
(3) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(a) "Medication synchronization" means the coordination of medication refills for a patient taking two or more medications for a chronic condition such that the patient's medications are refilled on the same schedule for a given time period.
(b) "Prescription" has the same meaning as in RCW 18.64.011.
[ 2015 c 213 § 2.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions
Chapter 41.05 - State Health Care Authority.
41.05.004 - Intent—Use of word "board."
41.05.008 - Duties of employing agencies.
41.05.009 - Determination of employee or school employee eligibility for benefits.
41.05.0091 - Eligibility exists prior to January 1, 2010.
41.05.013 - State purchased health care programs—Uniform policies—Report to the legislature.
41.05.014 - Applications, enrollment forms, and eligibility certification documents—Signatures.
41.05.015 - Medical director—Appointment of personnel.
41.05.017 - Provisions applicable to health plans offered under this chapter.
41.05.022 - State agent for purchasing health services—Single community-rated risk pool.
41.05.023 - Chronic care management program—Uniform medical plan—Definitions.
41.05.031 - Agencies to establish health care information systems.
41.05.033 - Shared decision-making demonstration project—Preference-sensitive care.
41.05.036 - Health information—Definitions.
41.05.037 - Nurse hotline, when funded.
41.05.039 - Health information—Secure access—Lead organization—Administrator's duties.
41.05.042 - Health information—Processes, guidelines, and standards.
41.05.046 - Health information—Conflict with federal requirements.
41.05.050 - Contributions for employees and dependents—Definitions.
41.05.055 - Public employees' benefits board—Members.
41.05.065 - Public employees' benefits board—Duties—Eligibility—Definitions—Penalties.
41.05.066 - Domestic partner benefits.
41.05.068 - Federal employer incentive program—Authority to participate.
41.05.085 - Retired state employee and retired or disabled school employee health insurance subsidy.
41.05.095 - Coverage for dependents under the age of twenty-six.
41.05.100 - Chapter not applicable to certain employees of Cooperative Extension Service.
41.05.110 - Chapter not applicable to officers and employees of state convention and trade center.
41.05.120 - Public employees' and retirees' insurance account—School employees' insurance account.
41.05.140 - Payment of claims—Self-insurance—Insurance reserve fund created.
41.05.165 - Rules—Insurance benefit reimbursement.
41.05.170 - Neurodevelopmental therapies—Employer-sponsored group contracts.
41.05.175 - Prescribed, self-administered anticancer medication.
41.05.177 - Prostate cancer screening—Required coverage.
41.05.180 - Mammograms—Insurance coverage.
41.05.183 - General anesthesia services for dental procedures—Public employee benefit plans.
41.05.185 - Diabetes benefits—State purchased health care.
41.05.188 - Eosinophilic gastrointestinal associated disorder—Elemental formula.
41.05.195 - Medicare supplemental insurance policies.
41.05.197 - Medicare supplemental insurance policies.
41.05.205 - Tricare supplemental insurance policy—Authority to offer—Rules.
41.05.225 - Blind licensees in the business enterprises program—Plan of health insurance.
41.05.240 - American Indian health care delivery plan.
41.05.280 - Department of corrections—Inmate health care.
41.05.295 - Dependent care assistance program—Health care authority—Powers, duties, and functions.
41.05.300 - Salary reduction agreements—Authorized.
41.05.310 - Salary reduction plan—Policies and procedures—Plan document.
41.05.320 - Salary reduction plan—Eligibility—Participation, withdrawal.
41.05.330 - Salary reduction plan—Accounts and records.
41.05.340 - Salary reduction plan—Termination—Amendment.
41.05.350 - Salary reduction plan—Rules.
41.05.360 - Salary reduction plan—Construction.
41.05.405 - Public option plans—Availability—Hospital contracts—Recommendations.
41.05.410 - Qualified health plans—Contract for—Requirements—Cost and quality data.
41.05.413 - Qualified health plans—Reimbursement limit—Waiver.
41.05.420 - Plan of health care coverage—Prescription insulin drug cost limits—Cost sharing.
41.05.430 - Plan of health care coverage—Immediate postpartum contraception devices.
41.05.520 - Pharmacy connection program—Notice.
41.05.525 - Treatment of opioid use disorder—Prior authorization.
41.05.527 - Opioid overdose reversal medication bulk purchasing and distribution program.
41.05.530 - Prescription drug assistance, education—Rules.
41.05.540 - State employee health program—Requirements—Report.
41.05.600 - Mental health services—Definition—Coverage required, when.
41.05.601 - Mental health services—Rules.
41.05.630 - Annual report of customer service complaints and appeals.
41.05.660 - Community health care collaborative grant program—Award and disbursement of grants.
41.05.670 - Chronic care management incentives—Provider reimbursement methods.
41.05.680 - Report—Chronic care management.
41.05.740 - School employees' benefits board.
41.05.742 - Single enrollment requirement.
41.05.744 - School employee eligibility during COVID-19 state of emergency.
41.05.745 - School employees' benefits board—Employee-paid, voluntary benefits—Optional benefits.
41.05.750 - Problem and pathological gambling treatment program.
41.05.751 - Problem gambling account.
41.05.760 - Recovery residences—Registry.
41.05.761 - Recovery residences—Technical assistance for residences seeking certification.
41.05.762 - Recovery residences—Revolving fund.
41.05.765 - Insulin drugs—Cap on enrollee's required payment amount—Cost-sharing requirements.
41.05.830 - Coverage for hearing instruments—Definitions.