Please review the coverage requirements for new users of asthma drugs beginning October 1, 2011.

Single Agent Corticosteroids:

• AeroBid or AeroBid-M
• Alvesco
• Flovent
• Pulmicort

Before benefits are available for one of the above single-agent corticosteroids, members who do not have history for the above drugs must first try without success BOTH Asmanex and Qvar.

Both Asmanex and Qvar are available at a Tier 1 copay, which provides the opportunity for significant potential cost-savings over other inhaled corticosteroid and corticosteroid combination inhalers. 

To receive coverage for Advair or Symbicort, your patient must first try one of the following drugs:

• AeroBid or AeroBid-M
• Alvesco
• Asmanex
• Flovent
• Pulmicort
• Qvar

In addition to the above mentioned drugs, therapy with maximum therapeutic doses of Dulera is required prior to approval of Advair or Symbicort. Treatment with single agent ICS therapy and Dulera must be considered for patients experiencing at least daily asthma symptoms prior to coverage of Advair.

If you believe your patient does not need to meet step therapy requirements, submit the Corticosteroids and LABA Inhalers prior authorization request for review. You’ll find a separate Corticosteroid/LABA Inhalers form for hawk-i members.