October 19, 2017
To help control costs and keep premiums stable for our Premera Blue Cross customers, we've selected a single preferred manufacturer for diabetic glucose monitors and supplies. For 2018, LifeScan, Inc. (OneTouch®) will be our exclusive manufacturer for glucose monitoring devices and supplies. We won't cover other brands or manufacturers unless there is a medical reason to use a different product.
Your patients with prescriptions written for other products will need a new prescription for OneTouch test strips. These test strips are covered today, so patients can be transitioned to preferred meters and strips now.
For patients using OneTouch meters for the first time, the OneTouch Verio® meters offer various meter options that meet a variety of health needs. To support the change to a Verio® meter, patients may be eligible for a manufacturer meter exchange program. Information on this program can be found in the website links below.
We ask that our durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers be aware of the Premera-preferred blood glucose meters and test strips and dispense these products for Premera customers, unless there is a medical reason to use a different product.
Important dates and other information
Premera Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Plans will only cover the OneTouch Products starting January 1, 2018. Additional information can be found on our Premera Medicare Advantage website.
Premera Blue Cross Individual and Small Group Metallic plans will only cover the OneTouch Products starting January 1, 2018.
All other Premera Blue Cross plans will only cover One Touch Products starting April 1, 2018. In February, we'll send you additional information about this change.