2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 71 - Behavioral Health › Chapter 71.24 - Community Behavioral Health Services Act. › 71.24.594 - Opioid overdose reversal medications—Education—Distribution—Labeling—Liability.

RCW 71.24.594
Opioid overdose reversal medications—Education—Distribution—Labeling—Liability.
(1) For any client presenting with symptoms of an opioid use disorder, or who reports recent use of opioids outside legal authority, all licensed or certified behavioral health agencies that provide individuals treatment for mental health or substance use disorder, withdrawal management, secure withdrawal management, evaluation and treatment, or opioid treatment programs must during the client's intake, discharge, or treatment plan review, as appropriate:
(a) Inform the client about opioid overdose reversal medication and ask whether the client has opioid overdose reversal medication; and
(b) If a client does not possess opioid overdose reversal medication, unless the behavioral health provider determines using clinical and professional judgment that opioid overdose reversal medication is not appropriate, the behavioral health provider must:
(i) Prescribe the client opioid overdose reversal medication or utilize the statewide naloxone standing order; and
(ii) Assist the client in directly obtaining opioid overdose reversal medication as soon as practical by:
(A) Directly dispensing the opioid overdose reversal medication, if authorized by state law;
(B) Partnering with a pharmacy to obtain the opioid overdose reversal medication on the client's behalf and distributing the opioid overdose reversal medication to the client;
(C) Assisting the client in utilizing a mail order pharmacy or pharmacy that mails prescription drugs directly to the behavioral health agency or client and distributing the opioid overdose reversal medication to the client, if necessary;
(D) Obtaining and distributing opioid overdose reversal medication through the bulk purchasing and distribution program established in RCW 70.14.170; or
(E) Using any other resources or means authorized by state law to provide opioid overdose reversal medication.
(2) Until the opioid overdose reversal medication bulk purchasing and distribution program established in RCW 70.14.170 is operational, if a behavioral health agency listed in subsection (1) of this section dispenses, distributes, or otherwise assists the client in directly obtaining the opioid overdose reversal medication such that the agency is the billing entity, the behavioral health agency must:
(a) For clients enrolled in medical assistance under chapter 74.09 RCW, bill the client's medicaid benefit for the client's opioid overdose reversal medication utilizing the appropriate billing codes established by the health care authority;
(b) For clients with available health insurance coverage other than medical assistance under chapter 74.09 RCW, bill the client's health plan for the cost of the opioid overdose reversal medication;
(c) For clients who are not enrolled in medical assistance under chapter 74.09 RCW and do not have any other available health insurance coverage, bill the health care authority for the cost of the client's opioid overdose reversal medication.
(3) A pharmacy that dispenses opioid overdose reversal medication through a partnership or relationship with a behavioral health agency as described in subsection (1) of this section must bill the health care authority for the cost of the client's opioid overdose reversal medication for clients that are not enrolled in medical assistance under chapter 74.09 RCW and do not have any other available health insurance coverage.
(4) The labeling requirements of RCW 69.41.050 and 18.64.246 do not apply to opioid overdose reversal medication dispensed or delivered in accordance with this section.
(5) A person who is provided opioid overdose reversal medication under this section must be provided information and resources about medication for opioid use disorder and harm reduction strategies and services which may be available, such as substance use disorder treatment services and substance use disorder peer counselors. This information should be available in all languages relevant to the communities that the behavioral health agency serves.
(6) The individual or entity that dispenses, distributes, or delivers an opioid overdose reversal medication in accordance with this section shall ensure that the directions for use are provided.
(7) Actions taken in compliance with subsection (1) of this section by an entity that provides only mental health treatment may not be construed as the entity holding itself out as providing or in fact providing substance use disorder diagnosis, treatment, or referral for treatment for purposes of state or federal law.
(8) A behavioral health agency, its employees, and providers are immune from suit in any action, civil or criminal, or from professional or other disciplinary action, for action or inaction in compliance with this section.
(9) For purposes of this section, "opioid overdose reversal medication" has the meaning provided in RCW 69.41.095.
[ 2021 c 273 § 4.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2021 c 273 §§ 2-4: See note following RCW 70.41.480.
Findings—Intent—2021 c 273: See note following RCW 70.41.480.