From January – July 2025, Sea Mar and Yakima Valley Farmworkers Clinic (YVFWC) will pilot the transition from paper vouchers for fruit and vegetable prescriptions to electronic cards. There are important changes for prescribers. This page will be updated frequently with additional resources and FAQs for prescribers.
eFVRx Prescriber FAQs
- What is changing?
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Fruit and vegetable prescriptions are moving from paper vouchers to electronic cards.
- What is the benefit of the card?
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It promotes shopper dignity, autonomy, and choice while reducing administrative burdens and increasing redemption rates.
- What is the timeline?
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DOH is piloting the card at Sea Mar and Yakima Valley Farmworkers Clinic from January 2025 – July 2025. The card will launch statewide in July 2025.
- Where can the card be used?
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During the pilot, the card can be used at Safeway stores in Washington. Throughout 2025 and beyond, DOH will add redemption locations as time and funds allow. The eventual goal is for the card to be accepted at 600+ locations, including farmers markets.
- I need support. Where can I find it?
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Contact your clinic lead for immediate concerns. DOH will host biweekly office hours to troubleshoot concerns. You can also email fvrx@doh.wa.gov. DOH will add additional resources to their website. Check www.doh.wa.gov/FVRx for updates.
- Who is eligible to receive the benefits and card?
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Eligibility for the card is the same as the paper voucher system. Patients need to screen positive for food insecurity and have or be at risk for a chronic condition.
- I can’t access or enroll participants in the participant portal. Who should I contact?
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Email fvrx@doh.wa.gov or call (360) 236-3438 with participant portal questions.
- Where do I find the participant portal?
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Here is the link to the participant portal: https://participants.cdpehs.com/.
- How are benefits loaded? When are they available?
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All benefits for the 6-month period are loaded at once when the card is activated by the prescriber. The funds are available at the beginning of each cohort, on January 1st and July 1st.
- Do the benefits expire?
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The benefits expire after the 6-month enrollment and do not carry over into the next cohort.
- How does a participant check their card balance?
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A participant can call the benefit balance/interactive voice response (IVR) line number at 866-237-9422 to check their card balance. This number is on the back of the card. Additionally, participants can request a card balance at the checkout keypad at any Safeway store.
- How do I discontinue benefits for a participant?
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To deactivate a participant’s card, email fvrx@doh.wa.gov the last 8-digits of the card number and an explanation for the change. DOH will deactivate the card and the remaining funds will immediately be frozen. Update the clinic card tracking document accordingly.
- What should I do if a participant loses their card?
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The participant should contact their clinic if they lose their card, and the clinic should look up the participant’s card number. Each clinic keeps a record of which card is assigned to which participant. Email fvrx@doh.wa.gov the last 8-digits of the card number that needs to be replaced. DOH will mail a new card with a new card number to the clinic. Once received, the clinic should call DOH at 360-236-3438 to activate the card with the remaining balance and set the PIN. Prescribers should update the card tracking record to reflect the number change. The participant can pick up the replacement card at the clinic.
- How does the participant use the card?
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Swipe the card the same as a debit card. The benefit will automatically apply to eligible items. *TIPS* If the participant is also doing a WIC transaction, it’s best to separate WIC and SNAP purchases in order to ensure benefit applies correctly to the SNAP card. If the participant will be using a SNAP card to pay for part of their purchase, swipe their eFVRx card before swiping a SNAP card.
- How does a participant set a PIN for their card?
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The prescriber should help a participant set up their PIN by calling the benefit balance/interactive voice response (IVR) line number at 866-237-9422. The participant can also call DOH at 360-236-3438 for PIN setup.
- What should a participant do if their PIN is locked?
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A card is locked after 4 incorrect PIN entries. To unlock the card, a participant should call DOH at 360-236-3438 to reset the PIN.
- Can the card be used at self-checkout?
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Yes!
- Does the card support online shopping and/or delivery?
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This is not supported at this time, but DOH anticipates this will be an option with the addition of future grocery store locations.
Prescriber Resources
- eFVRx Prescriber Toolkit (PDF)
- Participant Process Evaluation Survey
- Prescriber General Feedback Survey
If you have questions about these resources, please contact fvrx@doh.wa.gov.