As a reminder, waiver attestations for e-prescribing must be submitted annually, by December 1 of each year for the proximate year. For example, for calendar year 2024, providers should resubmit a waiver attestation by December 1, 2023.

E-prescribing Requirement

All information concerning a prescription for controlled substances Schedule II — Schedule V, or information concerning a refill authorization for controlled substances Schedule III — Schedule V, must have been communicated electronically unless one of the authorized exemptions are met, or the health care provider has obtained a waiver from the DOH. To qualify for an e-prescribing waiver from the DOH, the provider must be experiencing:

• An economic hardship of the following circumstances:
  • A bankruptcy in the previous year, or have submitted an attestation for a waiver due to a bankruptcy in the previous year;
  • Opening a new practice after January 1, 2020;
  • Intent to discontinue operating in Washington prior to December 31, 2022; or,
  • Operating a low-income clinic, which is defined as a clinic serving a minimum of 30% Medicaid patients.
• Technological limitations not reasonably in the control of the provider if the provider is in the process of transitioning to an e-prescribing system.
• Other exceptional circumstances:
  • The practitioner is providing services at a free clinic;
  • The provider generates fewer than one hundred prescriptions of Schedule II – Schedule V drugs in a one-year period, including both new and refill prescriptions;
  • The provider is located in an area without sufficient internet access to comply with the e-prescribing mandate; or,
  • Unforeseen circumstances that stress the provider or health care system in such a way that compliance is not possible. For example, natural disasters, widespread health care emergencies, unforeseeable barriers to e-prescribing, or unforeseen events that result in a statewide emergency.

E-prescribing Waiver Attestation Form Information

Most WSDA members qualify for the waiver under the exceptional circumstances category as they generate fewer than one hundred prescriptions of Schedule II – Schedule V drugs in a one-year period (both new and refill authorizations). The waiver will be granted upon submission of an attestation form, and there is no limit to the number of exceptional circumstance waivers that a provider may submit.

How to Fill Out the E-prescribing Waiver

When filling out the form, providers will be asked for their license type, license number, must select only one of the reasons that the waiver is needed, and should print the final page before selecting the “Finish” button.

To access the e-prescribing waiver, please click here.