August 13, 2021
DOH Will Allow PMP Integration Options
After several years of WSMA pressing the issue, the Washington State Department of Health will permit options other than the state health information exchange to meet the state's prescription monitoring program integration mandate, provided they meet certain security requirements. With the deadline looming for integration, this flexibility is much needed and a significant development for the physician community.
Senate Bill 5380 and the opioid epidemic
Senate Bill 5380, a measure aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic, was signed into law during the 2019 legislative session. Starting next year, two state IT mandates required by the legislation, the PMP integration mandate and one requiring the electronic prescribing of controlled substances, will go into effect. Originally scheduled for this past January, the WSMA successfully advocated for a delay to Jan. 1, 2022 to prevent the associated administrative requirements from burdening organizations already strained by the pandemic.
Prescription Monitoring Program integration mandate
By Jan. 1, physician groups with 10 or more prescribers must integrate their electronic health record with the state prescription monitoring program. Responding to WSMA concerns, the Washington State Department of Health stated in a recent letter that it will permit "integration options beyond the state HIE [health information exchange] that meet the State Office of Cyber Security and agency security requirements. The Appriss PMP Gateway product has already been reviewed and approved by our IT security team, so it will be an approved solution. I believe that moving in this direction will encourage use of the PMP in clinical decision making and will assist providers in meeting the integration mandate set forth in SB 5380."
The WSMA is thankful to Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, and his team at the DOH for this flexibility. The WSMA will provide more information on these additional tools, including Appriss PMP Gateway, as it becomes available. To explore integrating your EHR via the existing state HIE option, visit the DOH's PMP webpage.
EPCS mandate
All clinicians, regardless of practice size, will be required to prescribe controlled substances electronically starting Jan. 1. This aligns with the effective date of the federal Medicare mandate.
Hardship waivers
The WSMA secured waivers due to economic and other hardship in SB 5380 for both mandates. The DOH is currently promulgating these rules. When finalized, the WSMA will share with members for review to see if your practice may qualify.
Don't hesitate to reach out to the WSMA policy team at policy@wsma.org with questions.