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April 2018

Select insulins with comparable alternatives won’t be covered, effective June 1, 2018

To address the high cost of drugs and provide the best value for our members, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network commercial plans won’t be covering all formulations of the following insulin products for all drug lists, effective June 1, 2018:

  • Apidra®, Apidra® Solostar®
  • Humalog® (except Junior Kwikpen®), Humalog® Mix
  • Humulin® (except U-500), Humulin® Kwikpen®
  • Insulin products of the same type are interchangeable and work the same way to lower A1c. The following table includes covered comparable alternatives available at a lower cost to the member:

Insulin products not covered beginning June 1, 2018

Cost to Blue Cross (PPO) member

Cost to Blue Care Network (HMO) member

Apidra®, Apidra® Solostar

Full cost (not covered)

Full cost (not covered)

Humalog® (except Junior Kwikpen®), Humalog® Mix

Humulin® (except U-500), Humulin® Mix

Covered alternatives

Cost to Blue Cross (PPO) member

Cost to Blue Care Network (HMO) member

Novolin® (all forms)

Preferred brand copayment

Generic copayment

Novolog®, Novolog® Mix

This was already effective Jan. 1, 2018, for the Custom Select Drug List.

As part of this ongoing initiative, Blue Cross and BCN will continue to identify select drugs and stop covering them when there are more cost-effective or over-the-counter alternatives available for our commercial members.

No portion of this publication may be copied without the express written permission of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, except that BCBSM participating health care providers may make copies for their personal use. In no event may any portion of this publication be copied or reprinted and used for commercial purposes by any party other than BCBSM.

*CPT codes, descriptions and two-digit numeric modifiers only are copyright 2017 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and
independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.