Prescription Drugs The agreement may impose a variety of limits affecting the scope or duration of benefits that are not expressed numerically. An example of these types of treatments limit is preauthorization. Preauthorization is applied to behavioral health services in the same way as medical benefits. The only exception is except where clinically appropriate standards of care may permit a difference. Mental disorders are covered under Section A. Mental Health Services. Substance use disorders are covered under Section
Prescription Drug any drugs or medications ordered by a Professional Provider by means of a valid prescription order, bearing the Federal legend: “Caution - Federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription,” or legend drugs under applicable state law and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Also included are prescribed insulin and other pharmacological agents used to control blood sugar, diabetic supplies and insulin syringes.
label Prescription Drugs This plan covers off label prescription drugs for cancer or disabling or life-threatening chronic disease if the prescription drug is recognized as a treatment for cancer or disabling or life-threatening chronic disease in accepted medical literature, in accordance with R.I. General Law § 27-55-1.
Prescription Drug Quantity Limits We limit the quantity of certain prescription drugs that you can get at one time for safety, cost-effectiveness and medical appropriateness reasons. Our clinical criteria for quantity limits are subject to our periodic review and modification. Quantity limits may restrict: • the amount of pills dispensed per thirty (30) day period; • the number of prescriptions ordered in a specified time period; or • the number of prescriptions ordered by a provider, or multiple providers. Our formulary indicates which prescription drugs have a quantity limit. Types of Pharmacies Prescription drugs and diabetic equipment or supplies can be bought from the following types of pharmacies: • Retail pharmacies. These dispense prescription drugs and diabetic equipment or supplies. • Mail order pharmacies. These dispense maintenance and non-maintenance prescription drugs and diabetic equipment or supplies. • Specialty pharmacies. These dispense specialty prescription drugs, defined as such on our formulary. For information about our network retail, mail order, and specialty pharmacies, visit our website or call our Customer Service Department.
Prescription Drug Plan Effective July 1, 2011, retail and mail order prescription drug copays for bargaining unit employees shall be as follows: Type of Drug Prescriptions for 1-45 Days (1 copay) Prescriptions for 46-90 Days (2 copays) Generic drug $10 $20 Preferred brand name drug $25 $50 Non-preferred brand name drug $40 $80 Effective July 1, 2011, for each plan year the Prescription Drug annual out-of- pocket copay maximum shall be $1,000 for individual coverage and $1,500 for employee and spouse, employee and child, or employee and family coverage.
Prescription Drugs and Diabetic Equipment or Supplies Biological products for allergen immunotherapy and vaccinations. • Blood fractions. • Compound prescription drugs that are not made up of at least one legend drug. • Bulk powders and chemicals used in compound prescriptions that are not FDA approved, are not covered unless listed on our formulary. • Prescription drugs prescribed or dispensed outside of our dispensing guidelines. • Prescription drugs ordered or prescribed based solely on online questionnaires, telephonic interviews, surveys, emails, or any other marketing solicitation methods, whether alone or in combination. • Prescription drugs that have not proven effective according to the FDA. • Prescription drugs used for cosmetic purposes. • Prescription drugs purchased from a non-designated pharmacy, if a pharmacy has been designated for you through the Pharmacy Home Assignment program. • Experimental prescription drugs including those placed on notice of opportunity hearing status by the Federal Drug Efficacy Study Implementation (DESI). • Prescription drugs provided to you that are not dispensed by a network pharmacy or covered under your medical plan. • Prescription drugs and diabetic equipment and supplies purchased at a non-network pharmacy unless indicated as covered in the Summary of Pharmacy Benefits. • Prescription drug related medical supplies except for diabetic, regardless of the reason prescribed, the intended use, or medical necessity. Examples include, but are not limited to, alcohol pads, bandages, wraps or pill holders. • Off-label use of prescription drugs except as described in Experimental or Investigational Services in Section 3; • Prescribed weight-loss drugs. • Replacement of prescription drugs resulting from a lost, stolen, broken or destroyed prescription order or refill. • Therapeutic devices and appliances, including hypodermic needles and syringes except when used to administer insulin. • Prescription drugs, therapeutic equivalents, or any other pharmaceuticals used to treat sexual dysfunctions. • Vitamins, unless specifically listed as a covered healthcare service. • A prescription drug refill greater than the refill number authorized by your physician, more than a year from the date of the original prescription, or limited by law. • Long acting opioids and other controlled substances, nicotine replacement therapy, and specialty prescription drugs when purchased from a mail order pharmacy. • Prescription drugs and specialty prescription drugs when the required prescription drug preauthorization is not obtained. • Certain prescription drugs that have an over-the-counter (OTC) equivalent. • Prescriptions filled through an internet pharmacy that is not a verified internet pharmacy practice site certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. • Illegal drugs, including medical marijuana, which are dispensed in violation of state and/or federal law. Private Duty Nursing Services • Services of a nurse's aide. • Services of a private duty nurse: o when the primary duties are limited to bathing, feeding, exercising, homemaking, giving oral medications or acting as companion or sitter; o after the caregiver or patient have demonstrated the ability to carry out the plan of care; o provided outside the home. Examples include at school, or in a nursing or assisted living facility; o that are duplication or overlap of services. Examples include when a person is receiving hospice care services or for the same hours of a skilled nursing home care visit; o that are for observation only; and o provided as part-time/intermittent and not continuous care. • Maintenance care when the condition has stabilized including routine ostomy care or tube feeding administration or if the anticipated need is indefinite. • Twenty-four (24) hour private duty nursing care for a person without an available caregiver in the home. • Respite care (e.g., care during a caregiver vacation) or private duty nursing so that the caregiver may attend work or school. Surgery Services • Abdominoplasty. • Brow ptosis surgery. • Cervicoplasty. • Chemical exfoliations, peels, abrasions, dermabrasions, or planing for acne, scarring, wrinkling, sun damage or other benign conditions. • Correction of variations in normal anatomy including augmentation mammoplasty, mastopexy, and correction of congenital breast asymmetry. • Dermabrasion. • Ear piercing or repair of a torn earlobe. • Excision of excess skin or subcutaneous tissue except for panniculectomy. • Genioplasty. • Hair transplants. • Hair removal including electrolysis epilation, unless in relation to gender reassignment services or skin grafting. • Inverted nipple surgery. • Laser treatment for acne and acne scars. • Osteoplasty - facial bone reduction. • Otoplasty. • Procedures to correct visual acuity including but not limited to cornea surgery or lens implants. • Removal of asymptomatic benign skin lesions. • Repeated cauterizations or electrofulguration methods used to remove growths on the skin. • Rhinoplasty.
Pharmacy Benefits - Prescription Drugs and Diabetic Equipment or Supplies from a Pharmacy This plan covers prescription drugs listed on our formulary and diabetic equipment or supplies bought from a pharmacy as a pharmacy benefit. These benefits are administered by our Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM). Our formulary includes a tiered copayment structure and indicates that certain prescription drugs require preauthorization. If a prescription drug is not on our formulary, it is not covered. For specific coverage information or a copy of the most current formulary, please visit our website or call our Customer Service Department. Prescription drugs and diabetic equipment or supplies are covered when dispensed using the following guidelines: • the prescription must be medically necessary, consistent with the physician’s diagnosis, ordered by a physician whose license allows him or her to order it, filled at a pharmacy whose license allows such a prescription to be filled, and filled according to state and federal laws; • the prescription must consist of legend drugs that require a physician’s prescription under law, or compound medications made up of at least one legend drug requiring a physician’s prescription under law; • the prescription must be dispensed at the proper place of service as determined by our Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. For example, certain prescription drugs may only be covered when obtained from a specialty pharmacy; and • the prescription is limited to the quantities authorized by your physician not to exceed the quantity listed in the Summary of Pharmacy Benefits. Prescription drugs are subject to the benefit limits and the amount you pay shown in the Summary of Pharmacy Benefits.
How to Obtain Prescription Drug Preauthorization To obtain prescription drug preauthorization, the prescribing provider must submit a prescription drug preauthorization request form. These forms are available on our website or by calling the number listed for the “Pharmacist” on the back of your ID card. Prescription drugs that require preauthorization will only be approved when our clinical guidelines are met. These guidelines are based upon clinically appropriate criteria that ensure that the prescription drug is appropriate and cost- effective for the illness, injury or condition for which it has been prescribed. We will send you written notification of the prescription drug preauthorization determination within fourteen (14) calendar days of the receipt of the request. How to Request an Expedited Preauthorization Review You may request an expedited review if the circumstances are an emergency. Due to the urgent nature of an expedited review, your prescribing provider must either call or fax the completed form and indicate the urgent nature of the request. When an expedited preauthorization review is received, we will respond to you with a determination within seventy-two (72) hours or less. If we deny your request for preauthorization, you can submit a medical appeal. See Appeals in Section 5 for information on how to file a medical appeal. Formulary Exception Process When a prescription drug is not on our formulary, you can request that this plan cover the drug as an exception. To request a formulary exception, complete a Coverage Exception form (located on our website), contact our Customer Service Department, or have your prescribing provider submit a request for you. We will respond to you with a determination within seventy- two (72) hours following receipt of the request. For standard exception reviews, if the exception is approved, we will cover the prescription drug for the duration of the prescription, including refills. How to Request an Expedited Formulary Exception Review You may request an expedited review if a delay could significantly increase the risk to your health or your ability to regain maximum function, or you are undergoing a current course of treatment with a drug not on our formulary. Please indicate “urgent” on the Coverage Exception form or inform Customer Service of the urgent nature of your request. We will respond to you with a determination within twenty-four (24) hours following receipt of the request. For expedited exception reviews, if the exception is approved, we will cover the prescription drug for the duration of the exigency. For both standard and expedited exception reviews, if we grant your request for a formulary exception, the amount you pay will be the copayment at the highest formulary tier in your plan. Other applicable benefit requirements, such as step therapy, are not waived by this exception and must be reviewed separately. If we deny your request for a formulary exception, we will notify you with information on how to appeal our decision, including external appeal information.
Specialty Prescription Drugs (+ Prorated copayments for a shorter supply period may apply for network pharmacy only. See Prescription Drug section for details. When purchased at a Specialty Pharmacy (+): For maintenance and non-maintenance prescription drugs, a copayment applies for each 30-day period (or portion thereof) within the prescribeddosing period. Tier 5: $125 Not Covered When purchased at a Retail Pharmacy (+): For maintenance and non-maintenance prescription drugs, a copayment applies for each 30-day period (or portion thereof) within the prescribeddosing period. Specialty Prescription Drugs purchasedat a retail pharmacy will require a significantly higher out of pocket expense than if purchased from a Specialty Pharmacy. Our reimbursement is based on the pharmacy allowance. Tier 5: 50% Not Covered When purchased at a Mail Order Pharmacy: Not Covered Not Covered Covered Benefits Network Pharmacy Non-network Pharmacy (+) Preauthorization is required for thisservice. Please see Preauthorization in Section 3 for more information. You Pay You Pay Infertility Prescription Drugs - Three(3) in-vitro cycles will be covered per plan year with a total of eight (8) in-vitro cycles covered in a member’s lifetime. When purchased at a Specialty, Mail Order, or Retail Pharmacy Tier 1: 20% Not Covered Tier 2: 20% Not Covered Tier 3: 20% Not Covered Tier 4: 20% Not Covered When purchased at a Specialty Pharmacy (+) Tier 5: 20% Not Covered When purchased at a Retail Pharmacy (+): Specialty Prescription Drugs purchased at a retail pharmacy will require a significantly higher out of pocket expense than if purchased from a specialty pharmacy. Tier 5: 20% Not Covered Contraceptive Methods- Preventive Coverage includes barrier method (diaphragmor cervical cap), hormonal method (birth control pill), and emergency contraception. For non-preventive contraceptive prescription drugs and devices, the amount you pay will depend on the tier placement of the contraceptive prescription drug or device. See above for details. When purchased at a Retail Pharmacy: Up to a 365-day supply of contraceptive prescription drugs is available at all network retail pharmacies. For more information about this option, visit our website. Tier 1: $0 Not Covered When purchased at a Mail Order Pharmacy: Up to a 90-day supply. Tier 1: $0 Not Covered
Preferred Provider - Prescription Drugs The Board shall provide, through the Xxxxx County Council of Governments, a preferred provider drug program that, if the employee chooses to utilize, will include the following:
