Prescription Coverage

Prescription coverage that works for you

On this page, you’ll find Community Health Plan of Washington’s (CHPW) list of covered prescriptions (formulary), our directory of in-network pharmacies, and information about how to safely, reliably, and conveniently use your medication benefits.

What we cover

CHPW, Apple Health (Medicaid) and Apple Health Expansion cover drugs based on medical science and the needs of our members. You’ll find a full list of the drugs we cover in our formulary.

Covered prescriptions (formulary)
The formulary is a list of covered prescription medications. Use our online search tool or download the formulary PDF:

Apple Health (Medicaid) Formulary

Search our Online Apple Health (Medicaid) Formulary
Download Apple Health (Medicaid) Formulary PDF

Apple Health Expansion Formulary

Search our Online Apple Health Expansion Formulary

To request a free hard copy of the formulary, please call Customer Service at 1-800-440-1561 (TTY Relay: Dial 711), from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. We will send you a copy within 5 business days of your request.

COVID-19 Vaccines

The Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are covered as part of CHPW’s medication benefit at any location they are offered.

➔ Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, eligibility and locations

Find a pharmacy

CHPW has an extensive network of pharmacies across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Many of our Community Health Centers have their own pharmacies, too.

Find the pharmacy closest to you:

Download our Pharmacy Directory PDF
Log in to your Express Scripts account to search online

Bring your CHPW ID card when you pick up your prescription. If you don’t have your card, you can log in to your myCHPW account to view, download, and print a copy of it.

*CHPW partners with Express Scripts to give you access to a large network of pharmacies and range of covered prescriptions. Go to Express Scripts to log in or create an account. From your account, you can manage prescriptions, search for pharmacies, and learn important safety information about your medicine.

If you need help finding a pharmacy or have questions about our pharmacy network, please call our Customer Service at 1-800-440-1561 (TTY Relay: Dial 711), from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Special medications, 90-day supplies, travel, and contraceptives

Get a Larger Supply of Select Medications

CHPW covers 90-day supplies for most chronic medications. Ask your physician or pharmacist for a 90-day supply of your medications at your next visit.

Specialty drugs

Some complex or chronic illnesses require specialty drugs that regular CHPW pharmacies don’t offer. Specialty drugs are covered when dispensed through Accredo Specialty Pharmacy or participating Community Health Center pharmacies. Check our formulary for your specialty drug and ask your local Community Health Center if their pharmacy supplies your medication.

➔ Find your local Community Health Center

Travel

If you’re traveling outside of our coverage area, please contact us. Usually, prescriptions filled outside of our network aren’t covered. Pharmacies can dispense up to a 72-hour supply of a medication in an emergency.

Emergency Contraceptives

Emergency pills are a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. The sooner they are used after unprotected sex, the better they will work. They can be used up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex. Emergency contraceptive pills are available at most pharmacies in the state of Washington without a prescription and are available at clinics, doctors offices, or online.

OTC contraception coverage

Over the counter (OTC) birth control, also known as contraceptives, are covered by Apple Health (Medicaid) and CHPW without a prescription at no cost to you. Some birth control, like condoms, can also help prevent sexually transmitted infections.

What is OTC birth control?

OTC birth control such as condoms and most emergency contraceptives (e.g., morning after pill) can be obtained without a prescription or a visit to your doctor. For a list of covered OTC birth control products, see the Apple Health covered OTC contraceptive list.

How to get OTC birth control

Apple Health and CHPW cover OTC birth control at no cost when billed by a pharmacy.

Follow the instructions in the Find a pharmacy section to locate a pharmacy that accepts Apple Health coverage.
Go to your pharmacy and speak with the pharmacist about which OTC birth control is best for you. Bring your Apple Health/CHPW card with you.
You do not need a prescription, but you must go to the pharmacy counter so they can bill Apple Health.
If your pharmacy has questions on how to bill for OTC birth control, refer them to the CHPW Pharmacy page for more information.
Only products included in the CHPW pharmacy database are covered. For a list of covered OTC birth control products, see the Apple Health covered OTC contraceptive list.

Limits on OTC birth control

There are no limits on age, quantity, or frequency.

Can I buy OTC birth control and be reimbursed for the cost?

No, OTC birth control must be billed by a pharmacy. You cannot be reimbursed for OTC birth control you purchase yourself.

When a prescription is needed for birth control

Some methods of birth control require a visit to a doctor.

Examples include:

Birth control pills
Patches or rings that are taken daily or weekly
As well as depot-medroxyprogesterone (DMPA, Depo-Provera)
Intrauterine devices (IUD)

For more information on choosing the birth control that is right for you, you can visit the Department of Health birth control and emergency contraception page. You can also contact your primary care provider (PCP) or other health care provider for guidance.

Have prescriptions mailed to your home

Costco Pharmacy

Order your prescriptions from Costco Pharmacy for convenient delivery by mail.

How to get started with Costco Pharmacy

There are three ways you can set up home delivery of prescriptions .

Call: Dial 1-800-607-6861 and Costco will set up your profile over the phone and put your prescriptions into their system.
Mail: Fill out the Prescription Order Form. Mail your original written prescriptions and the Order Form to the address on the form.
Talk to your prescriber: Ask your prescriber to call in your prescriptions or fax in the Prescription Order Form.

How to refill your prescriptions with Costco Pharmacy

Call: Dial 1-800-607-6861 and follow the automated prompts.
Mail: Send your name, RX BIN Number (see your prescription ID card), and phone number to:
Costco Mail Order Pharmacy
802 134th St. SW, Suite 140
Everett, WA 98204-9935
Fax: Send your your name, RX BIN Number (see your prescription ID card), and phone number to: 1-877-258-9584

Read more about the Costco home delivery program at pharmacy.costco.com.

Mail order from your CHC

Some Community Health Centers provide home delivery of your prescriptions. Check with your CHC if home delivery is available.

Personal Medication Coach Program

The Personal Medication Coach Program helps members who are managing more than one medical issue and are taking multiple medications. We partner with MedWiseRx to make sure your medications are working effectively and safely.

You can learn more about this program by visiting the MedWiseRx website or calling 1-844-866-3730.

Prior Authorization

Some drugs require prior authorization. This means CHPW has to approve coverage before we can help you pay for them. Check whether your medicine needs prior authorization or has any coverage restrictions by calling Customer Service or checking our list of covered medications (formulary).

You can submit a request for a coverage determination review by sending in a Coverage Determination Request form or filling out the online form.

Non-covered prescriptions

If you need medicine that isn’t listed on our formulary, you can request a coverage determination review through Customer Service.
If your coverage is denied by Express Scripts, you may appeal the decision with CHPW. Read about how to appeal or file a grievance.
If you paid full price for a prescription at a retail pharmacy, you can ask for a reimbursement. Check the formulary to make sure there were no restrictions on your medication before you ask to be reimbursed. Fill out a reimbursement form and either fax or mail it to Express Scripts.
You can submit a request for excluded drugs by sending in an Exception to the Rule Request Form.

Staying safe

We follow federal laws that set standards to guarantee safe and effective pharmacy services. You have the right to know what pharmacy services are covered by your plan. If you would like more information or a copy of our pharmacy coverage policies or benefits, you can:

Check your coverage in your member benefit handbook
Contact Community Health Plan of Washington Customer Service by phone at 1-800-440-1561 (TTY Relay: Dial 711), from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by email at [email protected]

Keep track of medication: Download a medication list. Write down your medication, supplements, and over-the-counter products. Bring the list with you to all your appointments.

Recalled medication: If your prescription is recalled, contact the provider who prescribed it to you right away. Do not continue to take the recalled medication. Check the latest drug recalls.

Help stop fraud: We participate in monitoring for pharmacy fraud and abuse. If you suspect misuse or overuse of pharmaceuticals, call Customer Service.

Understand your prescriptions: Express Scripts offers safety information about your prescriptions, including possible side effects and harmful drug interactions. Log in to Express Scripts or create an account.

Become a CHPW member:

Need Help? Call us

Prescription Coverage