Central Nervous System/Behavioral Health

Members 19 Years and Older will not require a petition

1). Quantity limits apply on all benzodiazepine anxiolytic products.
2). No request for dosing greater than 3 times daily will be approved unless a specific diagnosis exists; for these diagnoses the maximum allowed dosing is 4 times daily.
3). The maximum covered dosing of benzodiazepine therapy is three times a day if a hypnotic medication is also prescribed.

Members 0-18 Years of Age will require a petition:

1). No concurrent stimulant ADHD medications, and
2). No Contraindicated Conditions, and
3). Maximum dosing of 3 times daily.

• For Members 12 or younger the same criteria applies and prescriptions for psychiatric conditions must originally be written by a psychiatrist.

Prior Authorization form

• lorazepam (Ativan®)
• chlordiazepoxide (Librium®)
• oxazepam (Serax®)
• clorazepate dipotassium (Tranxene®)
• diazepam (Valium®)
• alprazolam (Xanax®)
• alprazolam XR (Xanax XR®)

Prior Authorization required.

• alprazolam rapdis (Niravam®)

Tier 1 products are available without prior authorization for members age 19 or older.

Prior authorization is required for all products for members under age 19.

Tier 2 approval Criteria:

• Minimum of 30 day trial with at least two Tier 1 products and clinical documentation of attempts to correct any primary cause for insomnia.
• FDA approved diagnosis.
• Approvals granted for 6 months.
• No current anxiolytic benzodiazepine therapy greater than TID

Tier 3 approval Criteria:

• Minimum of 30 day trial with all available Tier 2 products and clinical documentation of attempts to correct any primary cause for insomnia.
• FDA approved diagnosis.
• Approvals granted for 6 months.
• No current anxiolytic benzodiazepine therapy greater than TID

tasimelteon (Hetlioz®) Approval Criteria: 

• An FDA approved diagnosis of Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder (Non-24); and
• Member must be 18 years of age or older; AND
• Member must be totally blind; AND
• A failed trial of appropriately timed doses of melatonin.
• Initial approvals will be for the duration of 12 weeks. For continuation, the prescriber must include information regarding improved response/effectiveness of this medication.
• A quantity limit of 30 capsules for 30 days will apply.

Prior Authorization form

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Special PA*

• zolpidem tartrate (Ambien®)
• flurazepam (Dalmane®)
• triazolam (Halcion®)
• eszopiclone (Lunesta®)
• estazolam (ProSom®)
• temazepam (Restoril®) 15mg & 30mg
• zaleplon (Sonata®)

• zolpidem tartrate (Ambien CR®)
• ramelteon (Rozerem®)

• suvorexant (Belsomra®)

• zolpidem SL tabs (Edluar®)
• tasimelteon (Hetlioz®)+
• zolpidem SL tabs (Intermezzo®)
• temazepam (Restoril®) 7.5mg & 22.5mg
• ramelteon (Rozerem®)
• doxepin (Silenor®)
• Zolpidem Oral Spray (Zolpimist®)

PA Criteria

• Documented diagnosis of relasping remitting MS.
• Tier 2 medications require failure of the preferred tier 1 product defined as:
• • Occurrence of an exacerbation after 6 months.
  • Significant increase in MRI lesions after 6 months.
  • Adverse reactions or intolerable side effects.
• No concurrent use with other therapies.
• Compliance will be checked for continued approval every 6 months.

Tier 1

Tier 2

• interferon β 1a (Avonex®)
• interferon β 1b (Betaseron®)

• interferon β 1a (Rebif®)
• inerferon β 1b (Extavia®)
• peginterferon β – 1a (Plegridy™)

PA Criteria:

• Member must have a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
• Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score between 3 and 7.5
• A 90 day trial will be approved. If member has responded well to treatment and physician states that the member has shown improvement or the drug was effective, member may receive authorization for one year.
• Quantity Limit of 60 for 30 days

 Prior Authorization form

PA Criteria:

• An FDA approved diagnosis of relapsing, remitting Multiple Sclerosis; AND
• Approvals will not be granted for concurrent use with other disease modifying therapies; AND
• Approvals for the 40mg strength of Copaxone® will require a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use the 20mg strength;AND
• Compliance will be checked for continued approval every six months.

PA Criteria:

• Documented diagnosis of relapsing remitting MS with at least one relapse in the previous 12 months, or transitioning from existing MS therapy.
• No concurrent use with other therapies.
• Compliance will be checked for continued approval every 6 months.

PA Criteria
Consideration will be based on all of the following criteria: 

• Documented diagnosis of relapsing forms of Multiple Sclerosis; AND
• All of the following will be required for initiation of treatment:
  • No concurrent use with other disease modifying therapies; AND
  • Verification that female members are not pregnant and currently on a reliable contraceptive; AND
  • Verification that member has no active infection(s); AND
  • CBC counts and verification that levels are acceptable to the prescriber; AND
  • Liver function tests and verification that levels are acceptable to the prescriber; AND
  • Blood pressure measurement and verification that blood pressure is being monitored; AND
  • Verification that members do not have tuberculosis, or completion of standard medical treatment for patients with tuberculosis; AND
• Approval of Aubagio will be initially for 6 months, after which time, all of the following will be required for further approval:
  • Medication compliance; AND
  • Repeat CBC counts and verification that counts are acceptable to the prescriber; AND 
  • Repeat liver function tests and verification that levels are acceptable to the prescriber; AND
  • Verification that female members are not pregnant and still on reliable contraceptive; AND
  • Verification that blood pressure and symptoms of renal failure are being monitored; AND
• Compliance will be checked every 6 months there-after for continuation of therapy; AND
• Quantity limit of #30 tablets per 30 days applies. 

PA Criteria
Consideration will be based on all of the following criteria:

• A documented diagnosis of relapsing forms of Multiple Sclerosis; AND
• All of the following will be required for initiation of treatment:
  • No concurrent use with other disease modifying therapies; AND
  • Verification from the prescriber that member has no active infection (s); AND
  • CBC counts and verification that levels are acceptable to the prescriber; AND
• Compliance will be checked every 6 months there-after for continuation of therapy; AND
• Quantity limit of #60 tablets per 30 days applies

PA Criteria
Consideration will be based on all of the following criteria:

• FDA approved diagnosis of relapsing forms of Multiple Sclerosis; AND
• Member must have had an inadequate response to two or more drugs indicated for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis; AND
• Lemtrada™ must be administered in a setting with appropriate equipment and personnel to manage anaphylaxis or serious infusion reactions. The prescriber must agree that the member will be monitored for two hours after each infusion; AND
• The prescriber must agree to monitor complete blood counts with differential, serum creatinine levels, and urinalysis with urine counts at periodic intervals for 48 months after the last dose of Lemtrada™; AND
• The prescriber must agree that baseline and yearly skin examinations will be performed while the member is utilizing Lemtrada™ therapy; AND
• Member, prescriber, pharmacy, and healthcare facility must all enroll in the Lemtrada™ REMS Program and maintain enrollment throughout therapy.

Prior Authorization form  

PA criteria:

• Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, and
• Clinically significant reason why the immediate release products cannot be used.

PA criteria:

• An FDA approved diagnosis of symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension caused by primary autonomic failure (Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and pure autonomic failure), dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, or non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy; AND
• Member must be 18 years of age or older; AND
• Member must have tried and failed two of the following medications at recommended dosing within the last 90 days:
• Midodrine; OR
• Fludrocortisone; OR
• Pyridostigmine; OR
• Have a contraindication to all preferred medications.
• Initial approval will be for the duration of two weeks of treatment only. 
• Continued approval will require the prescriber to provide information regarding improved member response/effectiveness of this medication to determine whether Northera™ is continuing to provide a benefit.
• Continued approval will be for the duration of three months.  Each approval will require prescriber documentation of member response/effectiveness to Northera™.

 Prior Authorization form  

Tier-1 products are available without prior authorization for members age five years and older.  Prior authorization requests for members younger than five years of age are reviewed by an OHCA-contracted child psychiatrist.

 Approval Criteria for Tier 2 Medication:

• Trials of two Tier-1 medications at least 14 days in duration each, titrated to recommended dose, that did not yield adequate response or resulted in intolerable adverse effects.
• Pending aripiprazole move to Tier-1: One of the Tier-1 trials must include a trial with aripiprazole unless the member has a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why aripiprazole is not appropriate or an FDA approved diagnosis not covered by aripiprazole. 
• Clozapine does not count towards a Tier-1 trial. 

Approval Criteria for Tier 3 Medication:

• Trials of two Tier-1 medications at least 14 days in duration each, titrated to recommended dose, that did not yield adequate response or resulted in intolerable adverse effects; AND
• Pending aripiprazole move to Tier-1: One of the Tier-1 trials must include a trial with aripiprazole unless the member has a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why aripiprazole is not appropriate or an FDA approved diagnosis not covered by aripiprazole. 
• Clozapine does not count towards a Tier-1 trial. 
• Trials of two Tier-2 medications, at least 14 days in duration each, titrated to recommended dose, that did not yield adequate response or resulted in intolerable adverse effects.  
• A manual prior authorization may be submitted for consideration of a Tier-3 medication when the member has had at least four trials of Tier-1 and Tier-2 medications (two trials must be from Tier-1) that did not yield an adequate response or resulted in intolerable adverse effects.  
• Use of Versacloz™ (clozapine oral suspension) and Fazaclo® (clozapine orally disintegrating tablet) requires a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use the oral tablet formulation 

Approval Criteria for Atypical Antipsychotics as Adjunctive Treatment for Major Depression Disorder:

• Authorization of Abilify® (aripiprazole), Seroquel XR® (quetiapine extended-release), Symbyax® (olanzapine/fluoxetine), or Rexulti® (brexpiprazole) for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder requires current use of an antidepressant, and previous trials with at least two other antidepressants from both categories (an SSRI and duloxetine) and a trial of aripiprazole tablets (pending aripiprazole move to Tier-1) that did not yield adequate response. Tier structure applies. 

Clinical Exceptions:

• Members currently stabilized on a higher tiered medication defined by paid claim(s) for the higher tiered medication in the past 90 days will be approved. 
• Members being released from a hospital and stabilized on a higher tiered medication will be approved.
• Approvals will be granted for members with clinical conditions for which lower tiered drugs are contraindicated.
• Approvals will be granted for members whose current regimen includes drugs known to adversely interact with all lowered tiered drugs.
• Lurasidone (Latuda®) may be approved for pregnant women with appropriate diagnosis.

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

• clozapine (Clozaril®)*
• olanzapine (Zyprexa®)
• quetiapine (Seroquel®)
• risperidone (Risperdal®, Risperdal Consta®)
• ziprasidone (Geodon®)

• aripiprazole (Abilify®, Abilify Maintena®)
• aripiprazole lauroxil (Aristada™)
• asenapine (Saphris®)
• lurasidone (Latuda®)
• paliperidone (Invega Sustena®, Invega Trinza™)∞
• quetiapine ER (Seroquel XR®)

• brexpiprazole (Rexulti®)
• cariprazine (Vraylar™)
• clozapine (Fazaclo®)
• clozapine oral suspension (Versacloz®)
• iloperidone (Fanapt^TM)
• olanzapine/fluoxetine (Symbyax®)
• paliperidone (Invega®)

Children less than 5 years of age will require a "second opinion" prior authorization to be reviewed by an OHCA-contracted child psychiatrist. Current users will be allowed to remain on current medication until the petition is submitted and reviewed. The second opinion process is as follows:

• Clinical pharmacist reviews petition for necessary information including diagnosis and behavioral information to submit to on-call OHCA psychiatrist.
• On-call psychiatrist at OHCA reviews submitted prior authorization request.
• OHCA faxes response back within 24 hours.
• Clinical pharmacist issues appropriate response for petition based on the results

PA Criteria:

Tier 1 products are covered with no authorization necessary.

Tier 2 authorization requires:

• Trial of all available Tier 1 products with inadequate response, OR
• Documented adverse effect to all the Tier 1 products, OR
• Previous success with a Tier 2 product within the last 60 days.

Tier 3 authorization requires:

• Trial of all available Tier 1 and Tier 2 products with inadequate response, OR
• Documented adverse effect to all the Tier 1 and Tier 2 products, OR
• Previous success with a Tier 3 medication within the last 60 days
• Use of any non-oral formulation will require a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why member cannot use the oral tablet formulation.

Anti-Migraine Medications Special Prior Authorization Approval Criteria:

• Use of any non-oral sumatriptan formulation will require a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use the oral tablet formulation or lower-tiered triptan products. 
• Use of Zecuity® will require a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use all available generic formulations of sumatriptan (tablets, nasal spray, and injection) or lower-tiered triptan products.
• Use of Treximet® (sumatriptan/naproxen) will require a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use the individual ingredients separately or lower-tiered triptan products.
• Use of dihydroergotamine injection (D.H.E. 45®) will require a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use lower-tiered triptan products.
• Use of dihydroergotamine nasal spray (Migranal®) will require a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use lower-tiered triptan products and dihydroergotamine injection (D.H.E. 45®).
  
  Prior Authorization form

Approval Criteria for the Butalbital Medications [Dolgic Plus® (butalbital-acetaminophen-caffeine, 50-750-40 mg), Phrenilin Forte® (butalbital-acetaminophen 50-650 mg), Orbivan® (butalbital- acetaminophen-caffeine 50-300-40 mg), Orbivan® CF (butalbital-acetaminophen 50-300 mg), Esgic-Plus® (butalbital-acetaminophen-caffeine 50-500-40 mg), Allzital® (butalbital/acetaminophen 25mg/325mg)]:

• An FDA approved indication for the treatment of tension-type headache; AND
• Member must be 12 years of age or older; AND
• Failure within the previous 60 days of the following:
  
  • All available formulations of butalbital/acetaminophen medications that do not require prior authorization (medications available without prior authorization contain butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine in the standard 50mg/325mg/40mg dose); AND
  • Trials of at least two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), unless contraindicated.

Esgic® capsules (butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine 50mg/325mg/40mg) approval criteria:

• A patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use Fioricet® tablets (butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine 50mg/325mg/40mg). 

PA Criteria:

Tier 1 products are covered with no authorization necessary.

Tier-2 Approval Criteria:

• A documented, recent (within the last six months) trial of two Tier-1 medications (must include one trial with duloxetine) at least three weeks in duration that did not provide an adequate response or resulted in intolerable adverse effects; OR
• Contraindication(s) to all available lower tiered medications; OR
• Current stabilization on a Tier-2 medication.

pregabalin (Lyrica®) Approval Criteria (Diabetic Neuropathy Diagnosis): 

• For the diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy, a trial of duloxetine and a trial of gabapentin or a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why duloxetine or gabapentin cannot be used must be provided
• Other criteria for Lyrica® (pregabalin) will continue to apply.
• Clinical exceptions for Lyrica® (pregabalin) include:
  • Diagnosis of seizures or postherpetic neuralgia

Tier-3 Approval Criteria:

• A documented, recent (within the last six months) trial of two Tier-1 medications (must include one trial with duloxetine) and all available Tier-2 medications at least three weeks in duration that did not provide an adequate response OR resulted in intolerable adverse effects; OR
• Contraindication(s) to all available lower tiered medications; OR
• Current stabilization on a Tier-3 medication.  

Prior Authorization form

Tier 1

Tier 2

• amitriptyline
• cyclobenzaprine
• duloxetine HCI (Cymbalta ®)
• fluoxetine
• tramadol

• milnacipran (Savella ®)

• pregabalin (Lyrica®)                                                          
                                                                                                        

PA Criteria:

Tier 1 products available with no authorization necessary
Tier 2 Authorization Criteria:

• A documented, recent (within six months) trial of two Tier-1 medications at least four weeks in duration and titrated to recommended dosing, that did not provide an adequate response. Tier-1 selection must include at least one medication from the SSRI category and one trial with duloxetine; OR
• Prior stabilization on the Tier-2 medication documented within the last 100 days. A past history of success on the Tier-2 medication will also be considered with adequate documentation; OR
• A unique FDA-approved indication not covered by Tier-1 products or other products from a different therapeutic class; OR
• A petition may be submitted for consideration whenever a unique patient-specific situation exists.

Tier 3 Authorization Criteria

• A documented, recent (within six months) trial with two Tier-1 medications (one medication from the SSRI category and one trial with duloxetine) and a Tier-2 medication at least four weeks in duration and titrated to recommended dose, that did not provide an adequate response; OR
• Prior stabilization on the Tier-3 medication documented within the last 100 days.  A past history of success on the Tier-3 medication will also be considered with adequate documentation; OR
• A unique FDA-approved indication not covered by a lowered tiered product or other products from a different therapeutic class; OR
• A petition may be submitted for consideration whenever a unique patient-specific situation exists.

Special Criteria:

• Use of any Special PA product will require a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use other available generic Tier-1 products; OR
• A petition may be submitted for consideration whenever a unique patient-specific situation exists.
• Tier structure rules still apply.

Approval Criteria for Atypical Antipsychotics as Adjunctive Treatment for Major Depression Disorder:

    For Abilify® (aripiprazole), Rexulti® (brexipiprazole), Seroquel XR® (quetiapine extended release), or Symbyax® (olanzapine/fluoxetine): a diagnosis of major depression disorder requires     current use of an antidepressant, and previous trials with at least two other antidepressants from both categories (an SSRI and duloxetine) that did not yield adequate response. Tier     structure rules still apply (the member would have needed to try the Tier-2 atypical antipsychotics indicated for adjunctive treatment of MDD before trying a Tier-3).                

 Prior Authorization form

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Special PA

• citalopram (Celexa®)
• escitalopram (Lexapro®)
• fluoxetine (Prozac®, Sarafem®)
• fluvoxamine (Luvox®)
• paroxetine (Paxil®)
• sertraline (Zoloft®) 

• fluvoxamine (Luvox CR®)
• fluoxetine 60mg tablets
• fluoxetine DR (Prozac weekly®)
• paroxetine CR (Paxil CR®)
• paroxetine (Pexeva®) 

• bupropion (Wellbutrin®, Wellbutrin SR®,  Wellbutrin XL®)
• duloxetine HCI (Cymbalta ®)
• mirtazapine (Remeron®, Remeron SolTab®)
• trazodone (Desyrel®)
• venlafaxine (Effexor®, Effexor XR® capsules) 

• levomilnacipran (Fetzima®)
• vilazodone (Viibryd®) 

• desvenlafaxine (Pristiq®, Khedezla®)
• nefazodone (Serzone®) 

• bupropion ER (Aplenzin®, Forfivo®)
• duloxetine (Irenka™)**
• trazodone ER (Oleptro®)
• venlafaxine extended release tablets

• phenelzine (Nardil®)
• selegiline transderm (Emsam®)
• tranylcypromine(Parnate®)

• vortioxetine (Trintellix®) 

PA Criteria:

• An FDA approved diagnosis of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause; AND
• Approvals for Brisdelle® will not be granted for psychiatric indications; AND
• Member must not have any of the contraindications for use of Brisdelle®; AND
• Two previous trials with either a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or a selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) or both, or a patient-specific, clinically significant reasoning why a SSRI or SNRI is not appropriate for the member; AND
• Authorization requires a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why paroxetine 10mg is not appropriate for the member; AND  
• A quantity limit of 30 capsules per 30 days will apply.

 Prior Authorization form

1.) Anticonvulsants will be included in the current mandatory generic plan.

• All brand-name anticonvulsants (with a generic equivalent) will require prior authorization.

2.) Prior authorization will be required for certain non-standard dosage forms of medications when the drug is available in standard dosage forms.

• Members 12 and older must have a documented medical reason demonstrating need for non-standard dosage forms.
• Criteria for approval of extended-release formulation.
  • Previously stabilized on the short-acting formulation.
  • Dosing is not more than once daily.
  • Member must provide a reason why the short-acting formulation is not adequate.
• Dosepacks will not be approved if standard dosage forms are available.

3.) Quantity limit restrictions will be placed on lower strength tablets and capsules. The highest strengths will continue to have no quantity restrictions unless a maximum dose is specified for a particular medication.

Prior Authorization form

PA criteria:

• Diagnosis of generalized tonic, atonic or myoclonic seizures; and
• Previous failure of at least two non-benzodiazepine anticonvulsants; and
• Previous failure of clonazepam.
• For continuation prescriber must include information regarding improved response/effectiveness of this medication.

PA criteria:

• An FDA approved diagnosis of partial-onset seizures; AND
• Member must not currently be taking oxcarbazepine (concurrent use is contraindicated); AND
• A patient-specific, clinically significant reason why member cannot use oxcarbazepine.
• A quantity limit of 30 per 30 days will apply on the lower strength tablets (200mg and 400mg) and 60 per 30 days on the higher strength tablets (600mg and 800mg).

PA Criteria:

• An FDA approved diagnosis of partial-onset seizures; AND
• Initial prescription must be written by a neurologist; AND
• Member must have failed therapy with at least one other medications commonly used for seizures.
• Members currently stable on Vimpat® and who have a seizure diagnosis will be grandfathered.

Prior Authorization form

PA Criteria:

• An FDA approved diagnosis of partial-onset seizures, myoclonic seizures, or primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures; AND
• A patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use generic formulations of levetiracetam.
• A quantity limit of 60 tablets per 30 days will apply.

Prior Authorization form

PA Criteria:

• An FDA approved indication of adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondarily generalized seizures or primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures; AND
• Initial prescription must be written by a neurologist; AND
• Member must have failed therapy with at least three other medications commonly used for seizures.
• Members currently stable on Fycompa® and who have a seizure diagnosis will be grandfathered.

Prior Authorization form

 PA Criteria:

• An FDA approved indication of adjunctive therapy in the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome; AND
• Initial prescription must be written by a neurologist; AND
• Member must have failed therapy with at least three other medications commonly used for seizures.
• Members currently stable on Banzel® and who have a seizure diagnosis will be grandfathered.

Prior Authorization form

PA criteria:

• An FDA approved diagnosis of partial onset or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures or as adjunctive therapy in seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; AND
• A member-specific, clinically significant reason why member cannot use the short-acting formulation, Topamax® (topiramate).
• A quantity limit of 30 per 30 days will apply on the lower strength capsules (25mg, 50mg, and 100mg) and 60 per 30 days on the higher strength capsules (150mg and 200mg).

PA criteria:

• An FDA approved diagnosis of partial onset or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures or as adjunctive therapy in seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; AND
• A member-specific, clinically significant reason why member cannot use the short-acting formulation, Topamax® (topiramate).
• A quantity limit of 30 per 30 days will apply on the lower strength capsules (25mg, 50mg, and 100mg) and 60 per 30 days on the higher strength capsules (200mg).

PA Criteria
Consideration will be based on all of the following criteria: 

• FDA approved diagnosis of refractory complex seizures in adults, and pediatric patients 10 years or older, OR infantile spasms in children ages 1 month to 2 years of age; AND 
• Members with refractory complex seizures must have previous trials of at least three other antiepileptic medications; OR
• Members with infantile spams must have had a previous trial with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) OR have a diagnosis of infantile spasms with tuberous sclerosis; AND
• Prescription must be written by a neurologist; AND
• Member, prescriber, and pharmacy must all register in the SHARE program and maintain enrollment throughout therapy

PA Criteria:

Only one long-acting and one short-acting agent can be used concurrently.

Tier 1 medications are available without prior authorization.

Tier 2 authorization requires:

• Documented 30-day trial/titration period with at least one Tier-1 medication(s) within the last 90 days is required for a Tier-2 long-acting medication, or documented 30-day trial with at least two Tier-1 short-acting medications within the last 90 days is required for a Tier-2 short-acting medication, OR
• Clinically appropriate pain therapy requiring time-released medication.

 Tier 3 authorization requires:

• documented 30 day trial with at least two Tier-2 long acting medications within the last 90 days is required for a Tier-3 long acting medication and documented 30 day trial with at least two Tier-2 short acting medications within the last 90 days is required for a Tier-3 short acting medication, OR
• documented allergy or contraindication to all Tier 2 medications

Special PA Criteria:

Xartemis™ XR approval criteria:

• An acute pain condition requiring around-the-clock opioid treatment; AND
• A patient-specific, clinically significant reason for the following:
  • Why the member cannot use any other opioid medication for treatment of acute pain; AND
  • Why the member requires a long-acting medication for an acute pain condition; AND
  • Why the member cannot use Oxycontin® (oxycodone ER) and OTC acetaminophen individual products in place of this combination product.
• A quantity limit of 4 tablets per day will apply with a maximum approval duration of 10 days; AND
• The member must not exceed 3,250mg of acetaminophen per day from all sources.
• Tier structure rules still apply.

Oncology Only Products:

• Members with an oncology-related diagnosis are exempt from the prior authorization process, and do not require pain contracts, although quantity and dosage limits still apply. Actiq®, Fentora®, Onsolis®, Abstral®, Lanzanda® and Subsys™ are approved only for oncology-related diagnoses.

Prior Authorization form

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Special PA

 Oncology Only

Immediate Release

• codeine
• codeine/APAP
• hydromorphone(Dilaudid®)
• ASA/butalbital/caffeine/ codeine(Fiorinal with Codeine®)
• hydrocodone/APAP(Lortab®)
• morphine-immediate release (MSIR®)
• oxycodone-immediate release (OxylR®)
• oxycodone/APAP(Percocet®)
• oxycodone/ASA(Percodan®)
• oxycodone/ibuprofen (Combunox™)
• oxycodone ER 10mg, 15mg, 20mg only (Oxycontin®)
• tramadol/APAP (Ultracet®)
• hydrocodone/IBU (Vicoprofen®)
• tramadol
• Hycet®*  

• morphine ER (MS Contin®)
• fentanyl patches (Duragesic®)
• buprenorphine (Butrans®)
• oxycodone ER (Oxycontin®)
• hydrocodone bitartrate extended-release (Hysingla™ ER)

• buprenorphine buccal film (Belbuca™)
• methadone (Dolophine®)
• morphine sulfate/naltrexone(Embeda®)
• hydromorphone(Exalgo®)
• morphine sulfate(Kadian®)
• morphine sulfate ER (MorphaBond™)
• oxymorphone(Opana ER®)
• tramadol ER (Ryzolt® Ultram® ER)
• tapentadol ER(Nucynta ER®)
• oxycodone XR (Xtampza ER)
• hydrocodone (Zohydro ER™)  

• oxycodone/APAP                     (Xartemis™XR)       

• tapentadol(Nucynta®)
• oxymorphone (Opana® IR)

• Liquicet®
• oxycodone (Oxecta®)
• oxycodone/APAP (Primlev®, Xolox®,)
• Trezix®
• hydrocodone/APAP (Xodol®, Zamicet®)

• fentanyl(Abstral®, Lazanda®)
• fentanyl (Actiq®)
• fentanyl (Fentora®)
• fentanyl sublingual spray(Subsys®)

naloxone auto-injector (Evzio®) Approval Criteria:

• An FDA approved diagnosis of potential or risk for opioid overdose; AND
• A patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use other formulations of naloxone.

 Suboxone® and Zubsolv® are the preferred products. Bunavail™ authorization requires a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why Suboxone® and/or Zubsolv® is not appropriate.  

PA criteria:

• Products must be prescribed by a licensed physician who qualifies for a waiver under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act (DATA) and has notified the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment of the intention to treat addiction patients and has been assigned a DEA (X) number.
• Diagnosis of opiate abuse/dependence.
• Combination with opioids (including tramadol) will be denied.
• Approval will be for 90 days to allow for concurrent medication monitoring.
• The following limitations will apply: 
  • Suboxone® 2mg/0.5mg and 8mg/2mg tablets and film: A quantity limit of 90 units per 30 days will apply.
  • Suboxone® 12mg/3mg film: A quantity limit of 60 films per 30 days will apply.
  • Subutex®2mg and 8mg tablets will only be approved if the member is pregnant (product may be used for the duration of the pregnancy only), or has a documented serious allergy or adverse reaction to naloxone.
  • Zubsolv® sublingual tablets: A quantity limit of 90 tablets per 30 days will apply.
  • Bunavail™ 2.1mg/0.3mg and 4.2mg/0.7mg buccal films: A quantity limit of 90 films per 30 days will apply.
  • Bunavail™ 6.3mg/1mg buccal films: A quantity limit of 60 films per 30 days will apply.

High Dose Buprenorphine Products Criteria:

• Each request for greater than 24mg bioequivalent buprenorphine per day should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• A taper schedule should be documented on the petition or dates of an attempted taper with reason for failure should be documented or a patient-specific, clinically significant reason a taper schedule or attempt is not appropriate for the member; AND
• Opioid urine drug screens should be submitted with high-dose requests that plan to continue high-dose treatment longer than the duration of one month.
• Urine drug screens must show the absence of opioid medications other than buprenorphine products for continued approval; OR
• Prescriber must document a patient-specific reason the member should continue therapy, reason for opioid use, and document a plan for member to discontinue opioid use; AND
• Symptoms associated with withdrawal at lower doses or symptoms requiring high doses should be listed on petition; AND
• Each approval will be for the duration of one month. If urine drug screen and other documentation are submitted indicating high-dose therapy is necessary an approval can be granted for the duration of three months.
• Continued high-dose authorization after the three month approval will require a new (recent) urine drug screen.

buprenorphine implant (Probuphine®) Approval Criteria:

• An FDA approved diagnosis of maintenance treatment of opioid dependence; AND
• Members must be currently on a maintenance dose of 8mg per day or less of a Subutex® or Suboxone® sublingual tablet or its transmucosal buprenorphine product equivalent; AND
• Member must have been stable on current transmucosal buprenorphine dose (of 8mg per day or less) for three months or longer without any need for supplemental dosing or adjustments; AND
• Members must have had no positive urine toxicology results or paid claims for opioids for the last three months. Concomitant treatment with opioids (including tramadol) will be denied; AND
• Probuphine® must be prescribed by a licensed physician who qualifies for a waiver under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act (DATA) and has notified the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment of the intention to treat addiction patients and has been assigned a DEA (X) number; AND
• Prescribers must verify they have considered the following factors in determining clinical stability and suitability for Probuphine®:
  
  • Period free from illicit opioid drug use
  • Stability of living environment
  • Participation in a structured activity/job
  • Consistency in participation in recommended behavioral therapy/peer support program
  • Consistency in compliance with clinic visit requirements
  • Minimal to no desire or need to use illicit opioids
  • Period without episodes of hospitalizations (addiction or mental health issues), emergency room visits, or crisis interventions
  • Social support system
• The prescriber must verify enrollment in the Probuphine® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program; AND
• Approvals will be for one kit (four implants) per six months. Reauthorizations for an additional six months may be granted if the member does not have ongoing use of supplemental dosing with transmucosal buprenorphine or opioid analgesics while utilizing Probuphine®.

Prior Authorization form

• Smoking cessation products no longer require a prior authorization.
• Smoking cessation products do not count against the 6 prescriptions/month limit.
• Smoking cessation products are available without a co-pay.
• All nicotine replacement products (patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers), Zyban®, and Chantix® do not require prior authorization. Chantix® may be used for up to 180 days per calendar year.
• Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline - Smoking Cessation Program

PA criteria:

• Prior Authorization is required for the following special formulation products:  
  • donepezil (Aricept®) and 23 mg tablets
  • rivastigmine (Exelon®) solution and patch
  • memantine (Namenda®) solution and tablets
  • galantamine (Razadyne®) solution and extended release capsules
• Member must have a documented reason why the special formulation is clinically necessary over the regular formulation
• Application of Age Restriction for ages 0-50 with the following approval criteria.  
• FDA approved diagnosis
  
  

memantine er/donepezil (Namzaric™ ) Approval Criteria: 

• Member must have a patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the separate products cannot be used in place of this combination product; AND
• A quantity limit of 30 capsules per 30 days will apply.

 Prior Authorization form  

Parkinson's Disease

• FDA approved indication for the treatment of signs and symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
• Must be 18 years old or older
• Failed treatment, intolerance, or clinically significant reason why member cannot use oral dopamine agonists

Restless Leg Syndrome

• FDA approved indication of Restless Leg Syndrome
• Must be 18 years or older
• Must provide documented treatment attempts at recommended dose with at least two of the following that did not yield adequate relief:
• • carbidopa/levodopa
  • pramipexole
  • ropinirole

Prior Authorization form

PA criteria:

• FDA-approved indication of postherpetic neuralgia.
• Must provide documented treatment attempts at recommended dosing or contraindications to at least one agent from two of the following drug classes:
  • Tricyclic antidepressants
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Topical or oral analgesics
• Must provide a clinically significant reason why the member cannot take the immediate-release formulation of gabapentin.

 Prior Authorization form

PA criteria:

• FDA approved diagnosis.
• Member must be 18 years of age or older.
• Quantity limit of #60 tablets per 30 days will apply.
• Approvals will be for the duration of a year.

Prior Authorization form

PA criteria:

carbidopa/levodopa enteral suspension (Duopa™) Approval Criteria: 

• An FDA approved diagnosis of advanced Parkinson’s disease; AND
• For long-term administration, member or caregivers must be willing and able to administer Duopa® through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy;AND
• Patients must be experiencing three hours or more of “off” time on their current Parkinson's disease drug treatment and they must have demonstrated a clear responsiveness to treatment with levodopa;  AND
• Approvals will be for a quantity of one cassette per day

carbidopa/levodopa extended-release capsules (Rytary™) Approval Criteria:

• An FDA approved diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, post-encephalitic parkinsonism, or parkinsonism that may follow carbon monoxide intoxication or manganese intoxication; AND
• A patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use other generic carbidopa/levodopa combinations including Sinemet® CR (carbidopa/levodopa extended-release tablets).

pimavanserin (Nuplazid™) Approval Criteria:  

• An FDA approved diagnosis of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis; AND
• Member must have concomitant diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease; AND
• Nuplazid™ will not be approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis unrelated to the hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis; AND
• Initial approvals will be for the duration of three months. For continuation, the prescriber must include information regarding improved response/effectiveness of this medication.
• A quantity limit of two tablets daily will apply.

Prior Authorization form  

PA criteria:

• An FDA approved diagnosis of infantile spasms; and a. Member must be three years of age or younger; AND
  • Must be prescribed by, or in consultation with, a neurologist or an advanced care practitioner with a supervising prescriber that is a neurologist; OR
• An FDA approved diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS); and a. Member is experiencing an acute exacerbation; AND
  • Must be prescribed by, or in consultation with, a neurologist or an advanced care practitioner with a supervising prescriber that is a neurologist or a physician that specializes in MS; AND
  • A patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use alternative corticosteroid therapy (e.g. IV methylprednisolone). 
  • Therapy will be limited to five weeks per approval (three weeks of treatment, followed by taper). Additional approval, beyond the initial five weeks, will require prescriber documentation of response to initial treatment and need for continued treatment; OR
• An FDA approved diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome without uremia of the idiopathic type or that is due to lupus erythematosus to induce a diuresis or a remission; and a. Must be prescribed by, or in consultation with, a nephrologist or an advanced care practitioner with a supervising prescriber that is a nephrologist; AND
  
  • A patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use alternative corticosteroid therapy (e.g., prednisone); OR
• An FDA approved diagnosis of the following disorders and diseases: rheumatic; collagen; dermatologic; allergic states; ophthalmic; respiratory; and edematous states; and a. A patient-specific, clinically significant reason why the member cannot use alternative corticosteroid therapy.

Prior Authorization form