Changes to HealthChoice Select Medication List
The purpose of this page is to provide
information on changes in the HealthChoice Select Medication List. If your
medication is changing from preferred status to non-Preferred status, please
discuss the preferred alternative with your physician. The HealthChoice Select
Medication List is located on the Pharmacy Programs page accessed
through the Site Map located on the left menu. If your physician feels that it
is in your best medical interest to continue taking any form of the
non-Preferred medications, ask them to request a Prior Authorization form by
calling 1-800-753-2851 or
TDD 1-800-759-1089, Monday through Friday 7 a.m.
to 8 p.m. CST.
2008 Benefit Change for Tobacco
Cessation Products
Effective January 1, 2008, HealthChoice will cover two (2) courses of 90
treatment days of tobacco cessation medications per calendar year. This benefit
change does not require a prior authorization and is available to all
HealthChoice members and dependents at least 18 years old. Only FDA approved
tobacco cessation medications that require a prescription are eligible under
your plan.
2008 Specialty Pharmacy Program for
HealthChoice Members
(Does Not Apply to Medicare Part D Members)
Certain specialty medications (usually high cost medications which are
typically injected), will only be covered if they are obtained from Medco’s
specialty care pharmacy, Accredo Health Group, (Accredo). Previously these
specialty medications may have been obtained from a retail pharmacy and/or other
specialty pharmacy providers. If a member does not utilize Accredo for their
specialty medication(s) after January 1, 2008, the member will be responsible
for the full cost of the
medication(s).
2008 New Generic Releases
|
Brand-Name Medication |
Generic Medication |
Treatment |
Effective Date |
Activella
|
estradiol/norethindrone acetate |
Menopause |
04/17/2008 |
| Altace
Capsules |
ramipril |
High blood pressure |
05/2008 |
| Fosamax |
alendronate sodium |
Osteoporosis |
02/06/2008 |
| Paxil CR |
paroxetine extended release |
Depression/anxiety |
05/14/2008 |
| Precose |
acarbose tablets |
Type 2 diabetes |
05/07/2008 |
| Prilosec
40mg Delayed -Release Capsules |
omeprazole 40mg delayed – release
capsules |
GERD |
06/02/2008 |
| Protonix |
pantoprazole |
Acid reflux |
01/30/2008 |
| Requip |
ropinirole HCL |
Restless leg syndrome and Parkinson’s disease |
05/05/2008 |
| Risperdal |
risperidone |
Schizophrenia and bipolar |
06/29/2008 |
| Sonata |
zaleplon |
insomnia |
05/05/2008 |
| Wellbutrin XL 150mg |
Bupropion hydrochloride extended release 150mg |
Depression and / or tobacco cessation |
05/30/2008 |
2008 Prior Authorization Programs Added for Certain Non-Preferred Medications
|
Non-Preferred Medications |
Effective Date |
| Actonel and Actonel with Calcium |
03/01/2008 |
| Lexapro |
01/01/2008 |
| Lunesta, Rozerem, and Sonata |
04/01/2008 |
2008 Non-Sedating Antihistamine Is Now
Available Over-The-Counter
And Is No Longer Covered by HealthChoice
|
Brand-Name Medication |
Treatment |
Effective Date |
| Zyrtec |
Allergy symptoms |
01/01/2008 |
2007 Generic Releases
|
Brand-Name Medication |
Generic Medication |
Treatment |
Effective Date |
| Accuneb 1.21% |
Albuterol sulfate |
Asthma |
09/26/2007 |
| Ambien |
zolpidem tartrate |
Insomnia |
04/23/2007 |
| Colazal 750mg Capsule |
balsalazide disodium |
Ulcerative colitis |
12/31/2007 |
| Coreg |
carvedilol |
Hypertension |
10/1/2007 |
| Inderal LA |
propranolol |
Hypertension |
02/06/2007 |
| Kytril |
granisetron hydrochloride |
Acute nausea |
12/28/2007 |
| Lamisil 250mg Tablets |
terbinafine HCL |
Nail fungus |
07/02/2007 |
| Lotrel |
amlodipine besylate/benazepril |
Hypertension |
05/18/2007 |
| Norvasc |
amlodipine |
Hypertension |
03/22/2007 |
| Penlac |
ciclopirox topical solution |
Nail fungus |
09/19/2007 |
| Toprol XL |
metroprolol succinate |
Hypertension |
08/10/2007 |
| Verelan PM |
verapamil HCL ER PM |
Angina |
08/10/2007 |
2007 Medications Removed From The Market By The FDA
And Are No Longer Covered By
HealthChoice
|
Medication |
Date
FDA Removed |
| Products containing ergotamine tartrate |
03/01/2007 |
| Permax |
03/29/2007 |
| Zelnorm |
03/30/2007 |
| Suppository products containing trimethobenzamide hydrochloride |
04/06/2007 |
| Compounded bi-identical hormone therapy products with
estriol |
04/15/2007 |
|
