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Pharmaceutical Utilization Management Programs

The Pharmaceutical Utilization Management (UM) Programs help ensure access to medically necessary and appropriate, cost-effective drug therapy. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey uses the following Pharmaceutical Utilization Management Programs.

Please click on each title to see a short description of the program.

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Medical Necessity Determination
All medications are subject to Medical Necessity review. We focus our reviews on those drugs that have a high potential for inappropriate use; high-cost medications; those that have narrowly defined, FDA-approved indications; and medications that have a significant interaction risk if taken with other agents. Medical Necessity criteria and guidelines are established and approved by our Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and Quality Improvement Committee, both consisting of practicing physicians and pharmacists. These external oversight committees assure that our Medical Necessity criteria and guidelines reflect community prescribing standards for the appropriate medication prescribed for members.

Drug Dispensing Limitations, Drug Utilization Review (DUR), and Prior Authorization (PA) are the three programs that make up Medical Necessity determination.

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Drug Dispensing Limitations
Certain prescription medications have specific dispensing limitations for quantity, age, gender, and maximum dose. To arrive at these quantity or safety limits, Horizon BCBSNJ follows recommendations by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), coupled with our analysis of prescription dispensing trends and standard clinical guidelines. These dispensing limitations are drug specific and designed to provide a safe and effective amount of medication to the member.

The following medications are subject to dispensing limitations. (The list is subject to change and will be periodically updated.)

DISPENSING LIMITS DRUG LIST
Limits will apply to drugs listed below, as well as the generic equivalents.
Drug Name
Accolate
Aciphex
Actimmune injection
Actiq
Actonel
Actonel with CA
Adderall XR
Advair Diskus
Advair HFA
Aerobid
Aerobid M
Afinitor
Alinia
Allegra Suspension
Allegra
Allegra-D
Allegra ODT
Alora
Alvesco
Ambien
Ambien CR
Amerge
Amitiza
Amrix
Androderm
Androgel
Anzemet
Apokyn
Aranesp and Aranesp Albumin Free
Aricept
Arixtra
Asmanex twisthaler
Astelin and Astepro (based on new formulation of 200 metered sprays in 30ml)
Atrovent
Atrovent solution
Avelox ABC
Avelox tablets
Avinza
Avonex injection
Axert
Azilect
Azmacort
Beconase AQ
Betaseron injection
Biaxin
Biaxin XL
Boniva
Bravelle vials
Brovana
Butorphanol tartrate
Byetta inj pen
Bystolic
Caduet
Catapres-TTS
Celebrex
Cesamet
Cetrotide kit
Chantix
Cimizia
Cipro XR
Clarinex
Clarinex syrup
Clarinex-D 12 hour
Clarinex-D 24 hour
Climara
Climara Pro
Clomid / Serophene
Cognex
Combipatch
Combivent
Concerta
Copaxone kit
Copegus tablets
Cromolyn Sodium
Darvocet
Daytrana
Delatestryl 1ml syringe(testosterone enanthate (in oil))
Delatestryl 5ml vial(testosterone enanthate (in oil))
Depo Provera
Depo-testosterone 10ml vial (testosterone cypionate (in oil))
Depo-testosterone 1ml vial (testosterone cypionate (in oil))
Detrol
Detrol LA
Dilaudid (including generic hydromorphone)
Ditropan (including generic oxybutynin)
Ditropan XL
Divigel
Dostinex
Duragesic
Elestrin
Eligard injection
Emend
Emend therapy pack
Emsam
Enablex
Enbrel injection and SureClick Injection
Enbrel injection
Epipen
Epipen-JR
Epogen injection
Esclim
Estraderm
Estring
Estrogel
Evamist
Exelon
Exelon syrup
Exelon patch
Exubera Kit
Exubera Combination Pack 12
Exubera Combination Pack 15
Exubera Chamber and Release Unit
Factive
Femring
Fentora
Fexmid
Fioricet
Fioricet w/Codeine
Fiorinal capsule
Fiorinal w/Codeine
Flector
Flexeril
Flonase
Flovent/Flovent HFA
Flovent Diskus
Flovent Rotadisk
Flunisolide nasal
Focalin XR
Follistim AQ injection
Foradil
Forteo injection
Fosamax
Fosamax oral solution
Fosamax Plus D
Fragmin
Frova
Fuzeon injection kit
Ganirelix Acetate
Gleevec tablets
Gonal-F injection
Helidac
Humira injection and Humira Pen Injection
Humira injection Crohn's Disease Starter Package
Humira injection Psoriasis Starter Package
Imitrex
Infergen injection
Innohep
Intal inhaler
Intal solution
Ipratropium Bromide solution
Iressa tablets
Isentress
Istalol
Januvia
Kadian
Kapidex
Ketek
Ketorolac
Kineret injection
Kytril
Lamisil tablet
Lamisil granules packet
Lariam
Letairis
Leukine
Levaquin
Levaquin LEVA-PAK
Liquadd
Lorcet
Lorcet-HD
Lortab
Lortab Elixir
Lovenox
Lumigan
Lunesta
Lupron 2 week
Lupron Depot
Lupron Depot-ped
Luveris
Magnacet
Maxair Autohaler
Maxalt/Maxalt MLT
Maxaquin
Menopur
Menostar
Mepron
Meridia
Metadate CD
Metadate ER
Methylin ER
Migranal
Mobic
MS Contin
MSIR solution
MSIR tablets
Namenda
Nasacort AQ
Nasarel
Nasonex
Neulasta injection
Neumega injection
Neupogen injection
Neupro
Nexavar
Nexium
Novarel vials
Noxafil Oral Suspension
Nuvaring
Nuvigil
Omnaris
Opana
Opana ER
Optivar
Oramorph SR
Ortho Evra
Ovidrel vials
Oxycodone Immediate Release
Oxycodone oral solution
Oxycontin
Oxydose
Oxyfast
Oxytrol
Patanol
Patanase
Pegasys injection
Peg-intron injection
Percocet
Perforomist
Plenaxis
Pravigard PAC
Pregnyl vials
Prevacid
Prevpac
Priftin
Prilosec
Procrit injection
Promacta
Protonix
Provigil
Prozac weekly
Pulmicort respules
Pulmicort Turbuhaler
Pulmicort Flexhaler
Pulmozyme solution
Pylera
Qvar
Ranexa
Raptiva kit
Razadyne/Reminyl
Razadyne ER
Razadyne oral solution
Rebetol capsules
Rebetol solution
Rebetron kit
Rebif injection
Rebif titration pack
Regranex
Relenza
Relpax
Repronex vials
Revatio
Revlimid
Rhinocort AQ
Ribasphere/Ribatab
Ribasphere/Ribavirin
Ribatab
Ribavirin
Ritalin LA
Ritalin SR
Rozerem
Sanctura
Sanctura XR
Sancuso
Sandostatin
Sandostatin LAR
Selzentry
Serevent
Serevent Diskus
Serostim injection
Simponi
Singulair
Skelaxin
Soma
Soma compound
Soma compound w/Codeine
Somatuline Depot
Somavert
Sonata
Spiriva
Sprycel
Stadol NS
Strattera
Striant
Suboxone
Subutex
Supprelin LA
Sutent
Symbicort
Symlin
Symlin Pen
Tamiflu
Tarceva
Tasigna
Tekturna
Tekturna HCT
Temodar capsules
Tequin tablets
Tequin teq-paq
Tequin
Testim
Thalomid capsules
Tilade
Tobi nebulizer (vials)
Toradol
Toviaz ER
Tracleer tablets
Transderm-scop
Travatan / Travatan Z
Trelstar depot
Trelstar la injection
Treximet
Tylenol w/codeine elixir
Tylenol w/codeine tablets
Tyzeka
Ultracet
Ultram
Ultram ER
Urispas (including generic flavoxate)
Vantas
Veramyst
Vesicare
Viadur implant
Vicodin
Vivelle
Vivelle-DOT
Vyvanse
Xalatan
Xeloda tablets
Xeloda tablets
Xenazine
Xenical
Xyrem oral soln
Xyzal
Zaditor
Zavesca
Zegerid (Omeprazole powder)
Zemplar
Zithromax
Zmax
Zofran
Zofran/Zofran ODT
Zofran oral solution
Zomig/Zomig ZMT
Zoladex implant
Zolinza
Zorbtive
Zyflo/Zyflo CR

AGE LIMITS DRUG LIST
Limits will apply to drugs listed below, as well as the generic equivalents.
Alinia
Benzodiazepines (including estazolam, quazepam, temazepam, triazolam)
Benzodiazepine (flurazepam)
Elidel
Exjade
Femara
Growth Hormones (including Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, Nutropin, Omnitrope, Saizen, Tev-tropin)
Growth Hormones (including Serostim and Zorbtive)
Hypnotics (including Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata, and Rozerem)
Infertility Medications (including Clomid, Gonal F, Follistim, Bravelle, Ovidrel, Novarel, Pregnyl, Profasi HP, Chorionic Gonadotropin (generic and brands), Luveris, Repronex, Menopur)
Ketek
Lupron (leuprolide acetate)
Mecasermin rinfabate (including Increlex and Iplex)
Phenergan (promethazine)
Protopic
Rapitiva
Relenza
Tamoxifen
Tindamax
Tussionex and Tussionex Pennkinetic Extended
Vanos
Viagra/Levitra/Cialis
Xifaxan
Zyflo
Zyrtec syrup

GENDER LIMITS DRUG LIST
Limits will apply to drugs listed below, as well as the generic equivalents.
Androderm
Androgel
Arimidex
Caverject
Cialis
Delatestryl
Depo-testosterone
Edex
Estrogen (oral contraceptives, estrogen combinations)
Femara
Levitra
Lotronex
Muse
Striant
Tamoxifen
Testim
Testoderm
Testopel
Testosterone Cypionate (all dosage forms available)
Testosterone Enanthate
Viagra

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Drug Utilization Review (DUR)
Since a member can be seen by different doctors and obtain medication through a variety of pharmacies, DUR edits help prevent potential drug interactions. Our online claims processing computer system allows immediate review and verification of eligibility, prescription drug coverage, drug-to-drug interactions, and restrictions. We provide written reports to all of the member's treating physicians to fully inform them of the activities of other prescribers.

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Prior Authorization (PA)
PA ensures appropriate utilization of certain drugs, promotes treatment or step-therapy protocols, actively manages drugs with serious side effects, and positively influences the process of managing drug costs.

Medications that have medical utility for only a select group of patients require PA before coverage is approved. Specific guidelines, developed and approved by practicing physicians and pharmacists from Horizon BCBSNJ's P&T Committee, have to be met for certain drugs to be approved and covered under your prescription drug benefits. The P&T Committee establishes PA criteria after evaluating medical literature, physician opinion, and FDA-approved labeling information. If the PA is approved, you can obtain the drug. Your copayment is determined by your prescription drug benefit. If you do not meet the PA requirements, you may still purchase the drug, but the cost will not be reimbursed by your health plan.

The following medications are subject to PA criteria. (The list is subject to change and will be periodically updated.)

Drug Name
ACCUTANE
ACTIMMUNE
ACTIQ
ADDERALL
ADDERALL XR
ADIPEX-P
ALFERON N
AMNESTEEM
AMPHETAMINE SALT COMBO
ANDRODERM
ANDROGEL
ARANESP
ARCALYST
ATRALIN
AVITA
BENZPHETAMINE
BONTRIL PDM
BONTRIL SR
BRAVELLE
BYETTA
CETROTIDE
CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN
CLARAVIS
CLOMID
CLOMIPHENE CITRATE
CONCERTA
COPEGUS
CRINONE
DAYTRANA
DESOXYN
DEXEDRINE
DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE
DEXTROSTAT
DIDREX
DIETHYLPROPION HCL ER
DIFFERIN
ENBREL
ENDOMETRIN
EPIDUO
EPOGEN
FENTORA
FOCALIN
FOCALIN XR
FOLLISTIM
FOLLISTIM AQ
FUZEON
GANIRELIX ACETATE
GENOTROPIN
GLEEVEC
GONAL-F
GONAL-F RFF
HUMATROPE
HUMIRA
HYCAMTIN
INCRELEX
INFERGEN
INTRON A
IONAMIN
IRESSA
KUVAN
LEUKINE
LOTRONEX
LUVERIS
MENOPUR
MERIDIA
METADATE CD
METADATE ER
METHYLIN
METHYLIN ER
METHYLPHENIDATE ER
METHYLPHENIDATE HCL
NEULASTA
NEUMEGA
NEUPOGEN
NEXAVAR
NORDITROPIN
NOVAREL
NUTROPIN
NUTROPIN AQ
NUTROPIN DEPOT
OBY-TRIM
OMNITROPE
OVIDREL
PEGASYS
PEG INTRON
PHENDIMETRAZINE
PHENDIMETRAZINE TARTRATE
PHENTERMINE HCL
PHENTRIDE
PREGNYL
PROCHIEVE
PROCRIT
PRO-FAST HS
PRO-FAST SA
PRO-FAST SR
PROMACTA
PROVIGIL
RAPTIVA
REBETOL
REGRANEX
REPRONEX
RETIN-A
RETIN-A MICRO
REVATIO
REVLIMID
RIBASPHERE
RIBATAB
RIBAVIRIN
RITALIN
RITALIN LA
RITALIN-SR
ROFERON
SAIZEN
SANCUSO
SELZENTRY
SEROPHENE
SEROSTIM
SOMAVERT
SOTRET
SPRYCEL
STRATTERA
STRIANT
SUBOXONE
SUBUTEX
SUTENT
SYNAREL
TARCEVA
TASIGNA
TAZORAC
TEMODAR
TESTIM
TEV-TROPIN
THALOMID
TRETINOIN
TRETIN - X
TYKERB
VEPESID
XELODA
XENAZINE
XENICAL
ZIANA
ZOLINZA
ZORBTIVE

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Maintenance Drug List
Certain prescription medications are classified as maintenance drugs. A maintenance drug is prescribed for chronic conditions and should be taken on a regular or long-term basis.

The following list includes 20 of the most common maintenance drugs in each drug category. This list is subject to change and will be updated periodically.

Maintenance Drug List
Limits will apply to drugs listed below, as well as the generic equivalents
Drug Category Drug Name
ANTINEOPLASTICS TAMOXIFEN CITRATE
  NOLVADEX
   
CARDIOVASCULAR LIPITOR
  TOPROL XL
  NORVASC
  ZOCOR
  HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
  ATENOLOL
  FUROSEMIDE
  DIOVAN HCT
  PLAVIX
  ENALAPRIL MALEATE
  ALTACE
  METOPROLOL TARTRATE
  LISINOPRIL
  LOTREL
  DIOVAN
  PRAVACHOL
  ZETIA
  WARFARIN SODIUM
  TRIAMTERENE W/HCTZ
  COZAAR
   
CNS ALPRAZOLAM
  ZOLOFT
  WELLBUTRIN XL
  PAXIL CR
  FLUOXETINE HCL
  CLONAZEPAM
  NEURONTIN
  CLONAZEPAM
  LORAZEPAM
  PAROXETINE HCL
  RISPERDAL
  AMITRIPTYLINE HCl
  ZYPREXA
  TRAZODONE HCL
  DILANTIN
  TOPAMAX
  DIAZEPAM
  SEROQUEL
  LAMICTAL
   
DIABETES/ENDOCRINE SYNTHROID
  LEVOXYL
  METFORMIN HCL
  PREDNISONE
  FOSAMAX
  AVANDIA
  METHYLPREDNISOLONE
  ACTOS
  LANTUS
  GLIPIZIDE ER
  AMARYL
  LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM
  ACTONEL
  AVANDAMET
  GLYBURIDE
  METFORMIN HCL ER
  GLUCOPHAGE XR
  HUMULIN N
  GLUCOTROL XL
  GLUCOVANCE
   
EAR/NOSE/THROAT FLONASE
  NASONEX
  RHINOCORT AQUA
  NASACORT AQ
  NASAREL
  BECONASE AQ
  FLUNISOLIDE
  RHINOCORT
   
GASTROENTEROLOGY ASACOL
  HYOSCYAMINE SULFATE
  PROCHLORPERAZINE MALEATE
  BELLADONNA W/PHENOBARBITAL
  SUCRALFATE
  PENTASA
  CARAFATE
  PAMINE FORTE
  PROMETHAZINE HCL
   
MISCELLANEOUS AZATHIOPRINE
  NEORAL
  CELLCEPT
  PROGRAF
  PROGESTERONE
  CYCLOSPORINE
  SANDIMMUNE
  IMURAN
  AZASAN
  ESTRIOL
  MYFORTIC
  CLONIDINE HCL
  KETOPROFEN
  PAPAVERINE HCL
  GENGRAF
   
OB-GYN PREMARIN
  MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE
  PREMPRO
  CLIMARA
  ESTRADIOL
  PROMETRIUM
  VAGIFEM
  NORETHINDRONE ACETATE
  CENESTIN
  ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO
  YASMIN 28
  FEMHRT
  LO/OVRAL-28
  VIVELLE-DOT
  ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN
  LOESTRIN FE
  ACTIVELLA
  PREMPHASE
  OVCON-35
  ALESSE-28
   
OPHTHALMOLOGY ALPHAGAN P
  COSOPT
  TIMOLOL MALEATE
  TIMOPTIC-XE
  TRUSOPT
  AZOPT
  BETIMOL
  ACETAZOLAMIDE
  PILOCARPINE HCL
  BETOPTIC S
  DIAMOX SEQUELS
  LEVOBUNOLOL HCL
  BETAGAN
  TIMOPTIC
  ALPHAGAN
  BRIMONIDINE TARTRATE
  ISOPTO CARBACHOL
  ISTALOL
  DIPIVEFRIN HCL
  PHOSPHOLINE IODIDE
   
PAIN MANAGEMENT/MUSCULOSKELETAL CELEBREX
  MOBIC
  NAPROXEN
  IBUPROFEN
  ALLOPURINOL
  NABUMETONE
  NAPROXEN SODIUM
  INDOMETHACIN
  DICLOFENAC SODIUM
  ARTHROTEC 75
  COLCHICINE
  ETODOLAC
  TIZANIDINE HCL
  ENBREL
  BACLOFEN
  KETOROLAC TROMETHAMINE
  OXAPROZIN
  ARAVA
  RELAFEN
  PIROXICAM
   
RESPIRATORY ALBUTEROL
  ADVAIR DISKUS
  ZYRTEC
  SINGULAIR
  COMBIVENT
  ALBUTEROL SULFATE
  FLOVENT
  PROVENTIL HFA
  HYDROXYZINE HCL
  SPIRIVA
  XOPENEX
  PULMICORT
  SEREVENT DISKUS
  PROMETHAZINE HCL
  THEOPHYLLINE ANHYDROUS
  HYDROXYZINE PAMOATE
  MAXAIR AUTOHALER
   
UROLOGICAL FLOMAX
  DETROL LA
  DITROPAN XL
  PROSCAR
  UROXATRAL
  AVODART
  OXYBUTYNIN CHLORIDE
  OXYTROL
  DETROL
  URISPAS
   
VITAMINS/ELECTROLYTES RENAGEL

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Specialty Pharmaceuticals Program

Members who use specialty pharmaceuticals have unique needs relating to the management of their diseases and the therapies associated with them. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has a program to address these needs.

Specialty Pharmaceuticals

Specialty pharmaceuticals is a class of prescription drugs that are typically produced through biotechnology (sometimes known as biologicals) and require special patient monitoring and handling. Specialty pharmaceuticals also require unique education prior to use.

Download

Specialty Pharmaceutical List

To assist members who are taking a specialty pharmaceutical, Horizon BCBSNJ has contracted with pharmacies that specialize in these therapies. In addition to a high level of service, drug-/disease-specific education and support, these pharmacies provide:

  • Personal attention from a pharmacist-led team to provide condition-specific education, medication administration instruction and advice to help manage therapy.
  • Claims assistance to help determine individual coverage and file the necessary paperwork.
  • Easy access to pharmacists and other health experts 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Informative condition-specific materials.
  • Easy ordering with a dedicated toll-free number.
  • Convenient delivery to the location of choice (e.g., member's home, physician's office, vacation spot, etc.).
  • Helpful follow-up care calls to remind members when it's time to refill a prescription, to check on therapy progress and answer any questions members may have.

Horizon BCBSNJ members who use certain specialty pharmaceuticals and want to minimize their cost-sharing by using in-network pharmacies, are required to obtain the prescription drugs from a participating specialty pharmacy listed below.

Participating Specialty Pharmacy Phone Number
Burmans Specialty Pharmacy 1-800-604-6068
CuraScript 1-866-204-9480
CVS Caremark Specialty Pharmacy 1-800-237-2767
Medmark 1-888-347-3416
Newport Pharmacy 1-877-933-2229


Please note:

  • Other prescription drugs not on the Specialty Pharmaceutical List should still be obtained through participating retail or mail-service pharmacies under your prescription drug plan to obtain in-network benefits.
  • Specialty pharmaceuticals may be subject to medical necessity review.
  • The list of specialty pharmaceutical drugs may be subject to change and may be updated periodically.

If you are undergoing treatment for infertility, please click here.

If you are a physician and would like more information about our Specialty Pharmaceutical Program for office-based medications, please click here.

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