Blue Cross and BCN further extend authorization end dates on select medical and pharmacy benefit drugs for Medicare Advantage members

In April 2020, we extended the authorization end dates for select medical and pharmacy benefit drugs for Medicare Plus Blue℠ and BCN Advantage℠ members. We did this to support our health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure that members’ access to medications wasn’t disrupted.

We’re now further extending the end dates on authorizations for select medical and pharmacy benefit drugs for Medicare Plus Blue and BCN Advantage members.

• For medical benefit drugs: For authorizations with end dates from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, 2020, we’ve extended the end dates to Dec. 31, 2020.
  
  Exceptions for medical benefit drugs: Certain treatments aren’t eligible for authorization extensions. These include, but are not limited to, the following drugs:

• Remicade^®
• Xiaflex^®
• Nonpreferred hyaluronic acid products, such as Genvisc^® 850 and Hyalgan^®
• IVIG products, such as Gammagard^® and Gamunex-C^®
• For pharmacy benefit drugs: We’re extending the authorization end dates to Dec. 31, 2020, for all active authorizations with end dates from July 29 through the end of the year for Medicare Plus Blue, Prescription Blue℠ PDP and BCN Advantage members.
  
  In addition, Medicare Plus Blue, Prescription Blue PDP and BCN Advantage members can refill their pharmacy prescriptions early. We’re taking this extra precaution so members will have enough medication to stay healthy.

Consult the Temporary changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic document for other changes temporarily put in place for the public health crisis. You can find this document on our public website at bcbsm.com/coronavirus and through Provider Secured Services.