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Pharmacy Prior Authorizations, Quantity Limits, and Specialty Medications

The medications listed on this page require prior authorization and/or are limited in quantity.

Pharmacy prior authorization is a medical review that is required for coverage of certain medications, such as those that:

  • Are very high cost
  • Have specific prescribing guidelines
  • Are generally used for cosmetic purposes
  • Have quantity limitations
  • Are non-formulary medications for Medicare members

Please Note:  New medication categories may be added to this list throughout the year. New medications which become available in the categories listed will automatically require prior authorization.

To request prior authorization for a medication, please have your physician contact Medco Health toll-free 1-800-753-2851, Monday through Friday (7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. CST).

Quantity limits per copay apply to certain medications. These quantity limits are less than the standard pharmacy benefit of a 34-days supply or 100 units, whichever is greater. These limits on the amount of medication you can receive for a copay are based on the recommended length of therapy and/or routine use guidelines for each medication.

New medications or generic equivalents which become available in the categories listed below will automatically have quantity limits per copay. Be aware that new medication categories may be added to this list throughout the year.

If your physician believes that there is clinical necessity for a medication to be dispensed in a greater quantity than allowed, he or she can call Medco Health toll-free 1-800-753-2851 to request a review.

Please Note: In addition to quantity limits, prior authorization is also required for some of the listed medications listed below.

Specialty medications will be covered only if they are ordered through Accredo Health specialty pharmacy. Accredo will assist you through the necessary steps to obtain your specialty medication quickly and efficiently. If you do not obtain your specialty medications from Accredo, you will be responsible for the full cost of the medication.

For more information on specialty medications, contact Accredo toll-free 1-800-501-7260. TDD users call toll-free 1-800-759-1089.
 

Use the links below for easy access to the categories medications subject to special guidelines.

  • Medications that require prior authorization are indicated by a PA following the medication name.
  • Medications that have quantity limits are indicated by a QL following the medication name.
  • Medications that are considered specialty medication are indicated by a SM following the medication name.

This list is not all-inclusive and is subject to change.

 

  Prior Authorization Quantity Limits Specialty Medication
Allergic Reactions – Emergency      

Epipen (epinephrine auto injector)

  QL  
       
Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists      

Atacand® (candesartan)

PA    

Atacand HCT® (candesartan/HCTZ)

PA    

Avalide® (irbesartan/HCTZ)

PA    

Avapro® (irbesartan)

PA    

Benicar® (olmesartan)

PA    

Benicar HCT® (olmesartan/HCTZ)

PA    

Cozaar® (losartan)

PA    

Diovan® (valsartan)

PA    

Diovan HCT® (valsartan/HCTZ) 

PA    

Hyzaar® (losartan/HCTZ)

PA    

Micardis® (telmisartan)

PA    

Micardis HCT® (telmisartan/HCTZ) 

PA    

Teveten® (eprosartan)

PA    

Teveten HCT® (eprosartan/HCTZ) 

PA    
       
Anti-Depressive Therapies      

Lexapro® (escitalopram oxalate)

PA    
       
Anti-Influenza Therapies      

Relenza® (zanamivir)

  QL  

Tamiflu® Capsules/Suspensions (osteltamivir) 

  QL  
       
Anti-Nausea Therapies      

Anzemet® (dolasetron)

  QL  

Emend® (aprepitant)

  QL  

Kytril® (granisetron HCL)

  QL  

Zofran® (odansetron)

  QL  
       
Antineoplastic Therapies      

Iressa® (gefitinib)

PA QL  
       
Asthma Inhalers      

Intal® (cromolyn sodium aerosol)

  QL  

Tilade® (nedocromil sodium aerosol)

  QL  
       
COX-II Inhibitors      

Celebrex® (celecoxib)

PA    
       
CNS Stimulants
(PA required for age 21 and older)
     

Adderall® (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) 

PA    

Adderall XR® (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine)

PA    

Concerta® (methylphenidate extended-release tablets) 

PA    

Desoxyn® (methamphetamine)

PA    

Dexedrine® (dextroamphetamine)

PA    

Dexedrine Spansules® (dextroamphetamine)

PA    

Dextrostat® (dextroamphetamine)

PA    

Focalin®(dexmethylphenidate) 

PA    

Metadate CD® (methylphenidate hcl)

PA    

Methylin ER® (methylphenidate) 

PA    

Ritalin® (methylphenidate) 

PA    

Ritalin SR® (methylphenidate hcl)

PA    

Ritalin LA® (methylphenidate hcl)

PA    

Strattera® (atomoxetine) 

PA    
       
Erythroid Stimulants      

Aranesp® (darbepoetin)

PA    

Procrit® /Epogen® (erythropoietin) 

PA    
       
Estrogen Therapies (Topical)      

Alora® (estradiol transdermal)

  QL  

Climara® (estradiol transdermal)

  QL  

CombiPatch® (estradiol, norethindrone acetate transdermal)

  QL  

Esclim® (estradiol transdermal)

  QL  

Estrasorb® (estradiol transdermal)

  QL  

Estraderm® (estradiol transdermal)

  QL  

Generic estrogen patches

  QL  

Vivelle Dot® (estradiol transdermal)

  QL  
       
Growth Hormone Therapies      

Genotropin® (somatropin) 

PA   SM

Geref® (somatropin) 

PA    

Humatrope® (somatropin) 

PA   SM

Norditropin® (somatropin) 

PA   SM

Nutropin® (somatropin)

PA   SM

Omnitrope® (somatropin)

PA   SM

Protropin® (somatropin)

PA   SM

Saizen® (somatropin) 

PA   SM

Serostim® (somatropin)

PA   SM

Somavert® (somatropin)

PA   SM

Zorbitive® (somatropin) 

PA   SM
       
Impotency Agents
(Prior authorization is approved for use following radical retropubic prostatectomy surgery, otherwise, these medication are not covered)

Caverject® Injection (alprostadil)

PA QL  

Cialis® (tadalafil) 

PA QL  

Edex® Injection (alprostadil) 

PA QL  

Levitra® (vardenafil) 

PA QL  

MUSE® (alprostadil) 

PA QL  

Viagra® (sildenafil)

PA QL  

Yohimbine® HCL, both generic and brand-name

PA QL  
       
Insulin and Supplies      

Cartridges

  QL  

Needles

  QL  

Pens

  QL  

Syringes

  QL  

Pre-Filled Syringes

  QL  

Diabetic Supplies (over-the-counter)

  QL  
       
Leukotriene Inhibitors      

Accolate® (zafirlukast)

PA    

Singulair® (montelukast)

PA    

Zyflo® (zileuton)

PA    

Zyflo® CR (zileuton)

PA    
       
Migraine Therapies – Triptans
(Prior authorization is required effective 07/01/09)

Amerge® (naratriptan)

PA QL  

Axert® (almotriptan malate)

PA QL  

Frova® (frovatriptan succinate)

PA QL  

Imitrex® (sumatriptan succinate)

  QL  

Maxalt® (rizatriptan benzoate)

PA QL  

Maxalt-MLT® (rizatriptan benzoate) 

PA QL  

Migranal® Nasal Spray (dihydroergotamine mesylate)

  QL  

Relpax® (eletriptan hydrobromide) 

PA QL  

Stadol® Nasal Spray (butorphanol tartrate)

  QL  

Treximet® (sumatriptan and naproxen) 

PA QL  

Zomig® (zolmitriptan)

PA QL  

Zomig-ZMT® (zolmitriptan)

PA QL  
       
Miscellaneous Devices      

Inhaler spacers (Limited to two per calendar year)

  QL  
       
Multiple Sclerosis Therapies      

Avonex® (interferon beta-1a)

  QL SM

Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b)

  QL SM

Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate)

  QL SM

Rebif® (interferon beta-1a)

  QL SM
       
Myeloid Stimulants      

Leukine® (sargramostim) 

PA   SM

Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim)

PA   SM

Neumega® (oprelvekin)

PA   SM

Neupogen® (filgrastim)

PA   SM

Nplate® (romiplostim) 

PA   SM
       
Nasal Sprays      

Beconase® (AQ) (beclomethasone dipropionate)

  QL  

Flonase® (fluticasone propionate)

  QL  

Nasacort® (AQ) (triamcinolone acetonide)

  QL  

Nasarel® (flunisolide)

  QL  

Nasonex Rhinocort® (AQ) (mometasone furoate)

  QL  

Veramyst® (fluticasone furoate)

  QL  
       
Ophthalmic Therapies      

Restasis® (cyclosporine)

  QL  
       
Osteoporosis Therapies      

Actonel® (risedronate sodium)
All products except 30 mg.

PA QL  

Boniva® (ibandronate sodium)

  QL  

Forteo® (teriparatide, RDNA origin) 

PA QL  

Fosamax® (alendronate sodium)
All products

  QL  
       
Proton Pump Inhibitors      

Aciphex® (rabeprazole)

PA    

Kapidex® (dexiansoprazole) 

PA    

Prevacid® (lansoprazole) 

PA    

Prilosec® Suspension packets (omeprazole magnesium) 

PA    

Zegerid® (omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate)

PA    
       
Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapies      

Arava® (leflunomide)

  QL  

Enbrel® (etanercept)

  QL SM

Humira® (adalimumab)

  QL SM

Kineret® (anakinra)

  QL SM
       
Sedative-Hypnotic Therapies      

Ambien® (zolpidem tartrate)

  QL  

Ambien® CR (zolpidem tartrate)

  QL  

Butisol® (butabarbital sodium)

  QL  

chloral hydrate

  QL  

Dalmane® (flurazepam hydrochloride)

  QL  

Doral® (quazepam)

  QL  

Halcion® (triazolam)

  QL  

Lunesta® (eszopiclone)

 PA QL  

Prosom® (estazolam)

  QL  

Restoril® (temazepam)

  QL  

Rozerem® (ramelteom) 

PA QL  

Sonata® (zaleplon)

  QL  

 

     
Therapeutic Patches      

Androderm® (testosterone transdermal)

  QL  

Androgel® (testosterone gel)

  QL  

Catapres TTS® (clonidine transdermal)

  QL  

Daytrana® (methylphenidate transdermal)

  QL  

Emsam® (selegiline transdermal)

  QL  

 fentanyl transdermal

  QL  

Lidoderm® (lidocaine transdermal)

  QL  

nitroglycerin transdermal

  QL  

Ortho-Evra® (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol trandsermal)

  QL  

Oxytrol® (oxybutynin transdermal)

  QL  

Striant® (testosterone mucoadhesive system)

  QL  

Testim Gel® (testosterone gel)

  QL  

Transderm-Scope® (scopolamine transdermal)

  QL  
       
Topical Retinoid Therapies
(Prior authorization required for age 23 and older)

Differin® (adapalene) All dosage forms 

PA    

Retin-A® (tretinoin) All dosage forms 

PA    

Tazorac® (tazarotene) All dosage forms

PA    


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