New Specialty Pharmacy Policy

  • November 2, 2017

    • Starting January 1, 2018, Premera is moving to an exclusive specialty pharmacy network with Accredo for most fully insured business. Approximately 900 fully insured members with Premera and LifeWise in Washington and Alaska will need to transfer existing prescriptions from Alliance Rx Walgreen's Prime (formerly Walgreen's Specialty) to Accredo.
      Providers should note the following regarding the policy change:
      • You will continue to prescribe specialty medications as you normally do. If you use an EMR that allows for automatic sending of prescriptions, you may need to select a new pharmacy for your patient.
    • To identify which patients need to use Accredo or Alliance Rx Walgreen's Prime, call Premera Customer Service at 877-342-5258, option 2.
    • You may start to receive prescription and refill requests from Accredo. Patients affected by the change will receive a letter that they are required to use Accredo for specialty medications this fall and may start the process of moving their prescriptions to Accredo.
    • In rare cases, specialty drugs may be available through a limited distribution or one specialty pharmacy that does not include Accredo or AllianceRx Walgreens Prime. Members will receive coverage for these drugs at a pharmacy that carries the drug.
    • Specialty pharmacies handle all aspects of claims submission, including coordination with Premera/LifeWise to verify member eligibility and benefits before billing Premera/LifeWise.

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