State agencies, hospitals, and WSHA are working to respond to the needs of patients created by the wildfires across the state. This includes coordination of the movement of patients, as well as flexibility in access to durable medical equipment and prescriptions.  Below are links to resources and news. 

Apple Health Emergency Fill Policy 

In response to the wildfires occurring in Washington, Health Care Authority is authorizing Apple Health (Medicaid) Fee-for-Service pharmacy providers to furnish medications and supplies to clients as needed, if such products have been lost, destroyed, or have become inaccessible due to wildfire conditions.

Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission state on continuity of care under emergency proclamation

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission is aware of the devastating impacts of the wildfires in the Spokane area. As a reminder, WAC 246-945-332 states: “When the governor issues an emergency proclamation for an event which prevents continuity of health care for persons and animals because their prescribed medications are no longer available to them due to the emergency event, pharmacists and pharmacies may provide emergency prescription supplies for medications during the period of the proclaimed emergency” as provided in WAC 246-945-332.

On August 1, 2026, Governor Ferguson declared a statewide state of emergency due to the wildfires in Washington state and extreme weather conditions. WAC 246-945-332 may be utilized during the declared state of emergency as outlined above.

  • If a pharmacy claim rejects for refill-too-soon, pharmacies should resubmit the claim indicating the previous fill was lost, destroyed or inaccessible by entering a value of 5 in the Prior Authorization Type Code NCPDP field (461-EU).
  • If the medication requires authorization and the dispensing pharmacists determines there is an urgent need, the pharmacy may dispense as an emergency fill.

HCA Wildfire Response Information 

In response to the fire activity, HCA has established a Wildfire Response Information page to help Apple Health and PEBB/SEBB clients navigate to any health care resources they may need from the state.

  • Supports for Apple Health (Medicaid) Clients
    • HCA has been coordinating with MCOs and in-region providers who are impacted, to determine any opportunities to support communities.
    • HCA has authorized pharmacies to furnish medications and supplies to Apple Health (AH) clients as needed, if any such products have been lost, destroyed, or have become inaccessible due to wildfire conditions. HCA has also communicated with pharmacies to guarantee payment on claims that meet our emergency fill policy.
    • HCA is working with MCOs to waive prior authorization for durable medical equipment and necessary expedited services.
    • All MCOs are reaching out to members and providers in the affected areas to support care coordination needs.
  • Tribal Coordination
    • HCA’s Office of Tribal Affairs is actively tracking the impact of fires to Tribes in Colville, Yakima, and Spokane.
    • HCA has reached out to Tribal elected officials and health leadership to ask for any emergent needs that HCA can help with and informing Tribes of updated processes for supporting prescriptions and other care needs.
    • HCA is exploring utilization of grant contract funds to support emergency community needs.
  • Behavioral Health Support
    • HCA is actively coordinating with the Spokane Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (BH-ASO) to support the local BH crisis system and any challenges they may face.
    • HCA has confirmed that the crisis system is still intact and supporting mobile crisis as calls come in, with the exception of level 2 and 3 evacuation zones.
    • Opioid Treatment Providers near the go-now area are authorizing take home doses for clients.
  • Supports for PEBB/SEBB Enrollees
    • Alerts have gone out to consumers and health carrier contractors (Premera, UnitedHealthcare, and Kaiser Permanente) are updating websites with information on how to access care during a wildfire.
    • Regence (UMP administrator) is providing assistance in navigating to appropriate sites of care when hospitals or clinics may be closed as a result of the disaster.  Virtual care services are also a valuable resource and will be offered when appropriate.
    • Importantly, under federal and state balance billing protections, all emergency services are covered at the in-network benefit level, even if the hospital is a non-contracted provider. 
  • Moda/ArrayRX (Pharmacy for UMP) has an alert on their website: ArrayRx UMP
    • Members evacuating because of a natural disaster may receive an early prescription refill at a network pharmacy.
    • Ardon (specialty drugs) is prepared to handle members affected by the Spokane wildfires on a case-by-case basis to ensure access to needed specialty medications. Ardon will work closely with members to identify available options and help coordinate access to their medication.
    • Members will be reimbursed at the network rate when using a non-network pharmacy for emergency fills.
  • Questions for HCA can be directed to Evan Klein, Special Assistant, Legislative & Policy, [email protected]

Support and resources from the Department of Commerce

If you qualified for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the current program year and live in one of the impacted counties, these agencies may be able to assist with:

  • Energy and utility bills
  • Temporary shelter or shelter vouchers
  • Transportation, food, and other emergency needs
  • Air purifiers in counties covered under the wildfire State of Emergency
  • Weatherization and home repairs

If you are in Spokane County, the Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Resources page, which has the option of machine translation, is available.

These are agencies serving wildfire-impacted regions:

Chelan‑Douglas Community Action Council (CDCAC)Serves: Chelan and Douglas Counties
Phone: 509‑662‑6156
Website: cdcac.org 

Northwest Community Action Center
Serves: Yakima County, South
Phone: 509-865-7630
Northwest Community Action Center

North Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washington
Serves: Adams, Grant, Yakima North
Phone: 509-248-6751
Website: oicofwa.org

Okanogan County Community Action Council (OCCAC)
Serves: Okanogan County
Phone: 509‑422‑4041
Website: occac.com

Rural Resources Community Action
Serves: Stevens, Ferry, Lincoln and Pend Oreille Counties
Phone: 509‑685‑6000
Website: RuralResources.org

Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP)
Serves: Spokane County
Phone: 509‑456‑7627
Website: SnapWa.org

 

Support for tribes

Commerce recognizes the sovereignty of tribes and their valuable partnership in leading wildfire response, recovery and long-term resilience efforts.

Key contacts

Tribal resources

Other resources may be available to tribes, please reach out to [email protected] as needed. 

Support for local governments and community organizations

Commerce recognizes the vital contributions of local governments and community organizations in leading wildfire response, recovery, and long-term resilience efforts.

Program and contract managers will connect with grantees to:

  • Identify program disruptions
  • Provide flexibility on contract requirements where possible

Key contacts:

  • Local organizations and other partners: [email protected]
  • Current grantees: please contact your contract manager

Available funding: 

Commerce has funding available to tribes, local governments, and nonprofit organizations for wildfire disaster relief and recovery. Support includes:

  • Emergency Rapid Response (ERR) Grants ($1+ million)
    • Funds available to restore essential community lifelines like food, water, sewer, power, transportation, communication, and shelter.
    • Eligible applicants: Local and Tribal governments
  • Broadband Emergency Funding ($2.1 million available)
    • Repairs or replaces broadband infrastructure damaged by wildfire events.
    • Contact: [email protected]
  • Traditional Emergency Funding ($7.1 million available)
    • For repairing or reconstructing essential facilities and infrastructure such as roads, water systems, stormwater, and bridges.
    • Eligible applicants: Local governments (Cities/Towns, Counties, Special Purpose Districts, and Quasi-municipal Organizations only)
    • Eligible systems: Roads/streets, bridges, domestic water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, solid waste/recycling/organics

Contact: [email protected]