Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | CommercialMarch 1, 2022
Correction to February 2022 specialty pharmacy updates
CORRECTION: In the February 2022 edition of Provider News, we published updates for the drugs Tivdak, Byooviz and Skytrofa. Please be advised that the effective date for these updates has changed.
Updated effective date: June 1, 2022
Previous effective date: May 1, 2022
Below is the updated notice.
Prior authorization clinical review of non-oncology use of specialty pharmacy drugs is managed by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s medical specialty drug review team. Review of specialty pharmacy drugs for oncology use is managed by AIM Specialty Health® (AIM), a separate company.
For Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and our affiliate HealthKeepers, Inc., prior authorization clinical review of these specialty pharmacy drugs will be managed by Anthem. Drugs used for the treatment of Oncology will still require pre-service clinical review by AIM Specialty Health®
This applies to members with Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), HealthKeepers (HMO), POS AdvantageOne, or Act Wise (CDH plans).
Please note, inclusion of National Drug Code (NDC) code on your claim will help expedite claim processing of drugs billed with a Not Otherwise Classified (NOC) code.
The Health Plan requires that claims for injection services performed in the office setting must include the applicable HCPCS J-code, Q-code, or S-code, with the corresponding National Drug Code, for the injected substance. This requirement is consistent with CMS guidelines. A covered drug will not be eligible for reimbursement when the NDC is not reported on the same claim.
Prior authorization updates
Effective for dates of service on and after June 1, 2022, the following specialty pharmacy codes from current or new clinical criteria documents will be included in our prior authorization review process.
Access our Clinical Criteria to view the complete information for these prior authorization updates.
Clinical Criteria |
Drug |
HCPCS or CPT Code(s) |
*ING-CC-0204 |
Tivdak |
J3490, J3590, J9999 |
ING-CC-0072 |
Byooviz |
J3490 |
ING-CC-0068 |
Skytrofa |
J3490 |
* Oncology use is managed by AIM.
Note: Prior authorization requests for certain medications may require additional documentation to determine medical necessity.
Step therapy updates
Effective for dates of service on and after June 1, 2022, the following specialty pharmacy codes from current or new clinical criteria documents will be included in our existing specialty pharmacy medical step therapy review process.
Access our Clinical Criteria to view the complete information for these step therapy updates.
Clinical Criteria |
Status |
Drug |
HCPCS or CPT Code(s) |
ING-CC-0072 |
Non-Preferred |
Byooviz |
J3490 |
Quantity limit updates
Effective for dates of service on and after June 1, 2022, the following specialty pharmacy codes from current or new clinical criteria documents will be included in our quantity limit review process.
Access our Clinical Criteria to view the complete information for these quantity limit updates.
Clinical Criteria |
Drug |
HCPCS or CPT Code(s) |
ING-CC-0072 |
Byooviz |
J3490 |
PUBLICATIONS: March 2022 Anthem Provider News - Virginia
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