As previously communicated in a Partners in Health UpdateSM article, Our policy on opioid management,effective July 1, 2017, Independence implemented a policy to limit members with a new prescription for low-dose opioids (i.e., have not received an opioid for the last 30 days) to a cumulative five-day supply per 30-day period. However, Independence temporarily exempted members who already had a prescription for greater than a five-day supply of low-dose opioids.
Beginning March 1, 2019, all members, including those previously exempt, will require a prior authorization when continuing low-dose opioid therapy beyond five days, if they have not already received prior authorization approval from Independence. Providers will receive a letter, accompanied by a list of their Independence patients who are affected by this change.
For more details regarding opioid and non-opioid therapy options, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Checklist for prescribing opioids for chronic pain.
If you have any questions concerning the prior authorization process, please contact FutureScripts?, our pharmacy benefits manager, at 1-888-678-7012.
FutureScripts is an independent company that provides pharmacy benefits management services.