June 18, 2020
Starting August 1, 2020, Premera is implementing new authorizations and changes to existing prior authorizations.
The diabetes and asthma drugs in the following table will now require prior authorization.
| Condition |
Drugs Requiring Prior Authorization |
Preferred Alternatives |
| Diabetes |
Steglatro (ertugliflozin)
Invokana (canagliflozin) |
Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Farxiga (dapagliflozin) |
| Diabetes |
Segluromet (ertugliflozin-metformin)
Invokamet (canagliflozin-metformin)
Invokamet XR (canagliflozin-metformin) |
Xigduo XR (dapagliflozin-metformin)
Synjardy (empagliflozin-metformin)
Synjardy XR (empagliflozin-metformin) |
| Diabetes |
Onglyza (saxagliptin) |
Januvia (sitagliptin)
Tradjenta (linagliptin) |
| Diabetes |
Kombiglyze XR (saxagliptin-metformin) |
Janumet (sitagliptin-metformin)
Janumet XR (sitagliptin-metformin)
Jentadueto (linagliptin-metformin)
Jentadueto XR (linagliptin-metformin) |
| Diabetes |
Basaglar (insulin glargine) |
Lantus (insulin glargine)
Toujeo (insulin glargine)
Levemir (insulin detemir)
Tresiba (insulin degludec) |
| Asthma |
Asmanex (mometasone furoate)
Pulmicort (budesonide)
Alvesco (ciclesonide) |
Arnuity Ellipta (fluticasone)
Flovent (fluticasone)
Qvar (beclomethasone)
|
New prescriptions: For prescriptions dispensed on or after August 1, 2020, you’ll need to submit a prior authorization.
Existing prescriptions: If you determine a preferred alternative isn’t appropriate for a patient already taking one of the prescriptions above, you’ll need to submit a prior authorization and the patient must meet all criteria. Patients who receive an approved prior authorization may have higher out-of-pocket costs than a preferred alternative drug depending on their health plan.
Communication: We mailed a letter to impacted members and encouraged them to contact their provider with preferred alternative treatments.
Contact: If you have questions, call our pharmacy services team at 888-261-1756, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time.