Understanding Bcbs Blue Advantage Hmo Formulary

Author

Reads 519

A Health Insurance Spelled on Scrabble Blocks on Top of a Notebook Planner
Credit: pexels.com, A Health Insurance Spelled on Scrabble Blocks on Top of a Notebook Planner

The BCBS Blue Advantage HMO formulary is a list of approved prescription medications that are covered by the Blue Advantage HMO plan. This list is updated annually.

The formulary is designed to help keep costs low and ensure that patients have access to necessary medications.

The BCBS Blue Advantage HMO formulary includes over 4,000 medications, including brand-name and generic options.

To find out if a specific medication is on the formulary, patients can check the BCBS Blue Advantage website or consult with their healthcare provider.

On a similar theme: Bcbs Drug List 2024

What is the Formulary?

A formulary is a list of brand-name and generic drugs that are covered under your prescription drug benefit. This list can be searched online, and a PDF version is also available.

If you have a question about coverage, pricing, or rules, you can contact Customer Care using the number on the back of your member card.

What Is a Formulary?

A formulary is a list of brand-name and generic drugs that are covered under your prescription drug benefit. It's also known as a drug list.

If you have a question about coverage, pricing, or rules, you can contact Customer Care using the number on the back of your member card.

You can access the Formulary 2977 searchable drug list as a PDF, which is available to view online.

On a similar theme: Bcbs Drug Tiers

Formulary Changes

Credit: youtube.com, What is formulary?

Formulary changes can happen at any time, but most changes in drug coverage occur on January 1.

Medications on the formulary may be added, removed, or moved to different cost-sharing tiers throughout the year.

We must follow Medicare rules when making these changes.

New restrictions may also be added to the formulary.

You can see a list of the latest changes to prescription drug coverage.

Check this out: Bcbs Drug Formulary 2023

Plan Coverage and Lists

To access your BCBS Blue Advantage HMO formulary, you can log in to BAM and click on the Pharmacy tab.

If you live in a state where your health plan is located, choose that state to access the correct drug list. For example, if you live in Colorado but your employer's health plan is with Blue Cross Blue Shield Indiana, you will choose Indiana to access the drug list for your plan.

You can also access up-to-date Anthem Pharmacy coverage for your drug list by logging in to your account. Our drug lists include details about brands and generics, dosage/strength options, and information about prior authorization of your drug.

A unique perspective: Bcbs Hmo Plans

Credit: youtube.com, BCBS Individual

The National Direct drug Plus list is for members who receive a health insurance plan from an employer. You can find this list by logging in to your account or by contacting your employer or the Pharmacy Member Services number on your ID card.

To find out if a prescription drug is covered by your plan, it's best to log into BAM and click on the Pharmacy tab. There you can search a medication and get all the details you need.

You can review other materials about covered medications, including quick-view guides with drugs that have dispensing limits, need pre-approvals, and more.

If this caught your attention, see: Blue Cross Blue Shield - Bcbs Federal Standard -

Specialty and Prior Authorization Lists

The BCBS Blue Advantage HMO formulary has several specialty and prior authorization lists that members should be aware of. These lists include the Performance Drug List, Basic Drug List, Balanced Drug List, Performance Select Drug List, and Enhanced Drug List.

Each of these lists has its own unique features, such as dispensing limits, prior authorization requirements, and step therapy protocols. The Performance Drug List, for example, has a 2025 Drug List and a Dispensing Limits section.

Here's a brief summary of the lists:

These lists are subject to change and updates, so it's essential for members to regularly check the formulary for any updates.

Exclusive Specialty List

Credit: youtube.com, CVS Specialty Helps Make Sense of Prior Authorization

The Exclusive Specialty List is a crucial component of your benefits package. It includes specialty drugs that must be filled through a participating specialty pharmacy for coverage to be provided.

If you have a specialty pharmacy network included in your benefit, this list applies to you. This means you'll need to use a specific pharmacy to get your specialty medications covered.

The list only includes specialty drugs, not regular prescription medications. This distinction is important to keep in mind when managing your medications.

You'll need to check your benefit details to see if a specialty pharmacy network is included. This will determine whether the Exclusive Specialty List applies to you.

Prior Authorization and Step Therapy Lists

You can access the Prior Authorization and Step Therapy Lists for your employer-offered plan by logging into your Blue Access for Members account and using the drug finder tool.

The lists are also available without logging in, and they include information on dispensing limits, prior authorization, and step therapy for different drug lists.

Credit: youtube.com, Prescription Medication Prior Authorization Explained

The Performance Drug List, Basic Drug List, Balanced Drug List, Performance Select Drug List, and Enhanced Drug List all have the same information on dispensing limits, prior authorization, and step therapy.

Dispensing limits, prior authorization, and step therapy are also covered in the Coverage Quick-View Docs, which provide a quick view of covered items for contraception, preventive drugs, and commonly prescribed drugs.

Here's a summary of the lists that include dispensing limits, prior authorization, and step therapy:

The Step Therapy Program requires you to try a similar well-known drug first before being approved for a different medication.

Step Therapy Program

The Step Therapy Program is a way to ensure you're getting the most effective treatment for your condition. This program requires you to try a similar well-known drug before moving on to a more specialized one.

For instance, if you need a medication for a certain condition, you'll be asked to try a similar medication that's already well-established and widely used.

Plan Requirements and Selection

Credit: youtube.com, Step-by-Step How-To Provider Search: BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Advantage

To access the BCBS Blue Advantage HMO formulary, you can search or download the drug list for your state or health plan. If you live in a different state than your health plan, choose the state where your employer's health plan is located.

You can also log in to your Anthem pharmacy coverage to automatically connect to the current drug list that applies to your pharmacy benefits. If you're unsure which list applies to your plan, check with your employer or call the Pharmacy Member Services number on your ID card.

To find plan documents, including the drug list, for your Medicare Advantage plan, use the plan document lookup tool with your plan name.

Core Selection Process

Our selection process is guided by a group of independent health-care professionals who review new and existing medications.

These experts consider how well each medication works, its value to patients, and its safety profile.

All medications on our lists are approved by the FDA, ensuring they meet rigorous standards.

The group meets regularly to review and discuss the latest medications, making informed decisions about which ones to include.

This collaborative approach helps us provide a comprehensive and trustworthy list of medications.

Coverage Requirements

Health Insurance Scrabble Tiles on Planner
Credit: pexels.com, Health Insurance Scrabble Tiles on Planner

Coverage Requirements can be a bit of a puzzle, but understanding them can help you make informed decisions about your healthcare.

To find out if a prescription drug is covered by your plan, log into BAM and click on the Pharmacy tab - it's the best way to get all the details you need.

Coverage requirements can vary depending on the plan, so it's essential to check your plan's specifics. For example, some plans may have dispensing limits, prior authorization requirements, or step therapy requirements for certain prescriptions.

The National Direct drug Plus list is for members who receive a health insurance plan from an employer, and it's essential to review the coverage requirements for your specific plan.

Here are some common coverage requirements to be aware of:

  • Contraceptive Coverage List
  • Commonly Prescribed Drugs and Frequently Asked Questions
  • No-Cost Preventive Drug List
  • Zero-Dollar Emergency-Use Medications (these medications are not available for all plans)

It's also worth noting that treatment decisions are between you and your doctor, and while doctors are encouraged to prescribe drugs on the list, it's not always possible.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Credit: youtube.com, How to select the best Medicare advantage plan for you

If you're looking for a Medicare Advantage plan, you can find plan documents, including the drug list, through a plan document lookup tool.

You'll need your plan name to complete the search, which can be found on your member ID card.

To review your drug list, click the plus sign next to "Prescription Drug Information" after submitting the correct information.

If your medication is not on the drug list, you can ask for a Drug List exception by sending BCBSMT documentation.

You can also call the number on your ID card for more information or fill out and submit the Prescription Drug Coverage Exception form.

BCBSMT will let you know the benefit coverage decision within 72 hours of receiving your request, and if it's denied, they'll explain why and may suggest a covered alternative drug.

If you have a health condition and failure to take the medication may pose a risk to your life, health, or keep you from regaining maximum function, you can ask for an expedited review process.

BCBSMT will let you know the coverage decision within 24 hours of receiving your request, and if it's denied, they'll explain why and may suggest a covered alternative drug.

You can call the number on your ID card if you have any questions or appeal the benefit determination.

Plan Specifics

Credit: youtube.com, Excellus BCBS - The Difference Between HMO and PPO Plans

To access the BCBS Blue Advantage HMO formulary, you'll need to know which state your health plan is located in, even if you don't reside there. For example, if you live in Colorado but your employer's health plan is with Blue Cross Blue Shield Indiana.

You can search or download the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield drug lists, including new or updated versions, by choosing your state or the state of your health plan. This will give you access to the correct drug list for your plan.

If you're unsure which list applies to your plan, you can check with your employer or call the Pharmacy Member Services number printed on your ID card.

A unique perspective: Bcbs Out of State

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does BCBS Blue Advantage cost?

The monthly premium for BCBS Blue Advantage is $42, with additional costs for specialist visits ($35 copay) and no copay for primary doctor visits.

Florence Ratke

Assigning Editor

Florence Ratke is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a strong background in research and analysis, she has honed her skills in identifying and assigning compelling articles that captivate readers. Florence's expertise spans a range of topics, including personal finance and investing, where she has developed a particular interest in the world of investment certificates.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.