IVIG dosing strategy changing for Medicare Part B medical specialty program, starting Dec. 7

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network require authorization for immune globulin products covered under the medical benefit for Medicare Plus Blue^SM PPO and BCN Advantage^SM members.

As part of the authorization process, we’re updating our dosing strategy for intravenous and subcutaneous immune globulin therapy to minimize drug waste, reduce unnecessary drug exposure and decrease the risk of adverse events.

Effective Dec. 7, 2020, we’ll calculate doses using adjusted body weight for members when:

• The member’s body mass index is 30 kg/m² or greater.
• The member’s actual body weight is 20% higher than their ideal body weight.

This applies to all Medicare Plus Blue and BCN Advantage members who start therapy on or after Dec. 7, 2020, when the therapy is administered by a health care professional in a provider office, at the member’s home, in an off-campus outpatient hospital or in an ambulatory surgical center (sites of care 11, 12, 19, 22 and 24).

Members who currently receive immune globulin will continue to receive their current dose until their authorizations expire.

Reminder
For these drugs, submit authorization requests through the NovoLogix^® online tool. It offers real-time status checks and immediate approvals for certain medications.

For Medicare Plus Blue and BCN Advantage, if you have access to Provider Secured Services, you already have access to enter authorization requests through NovoLogix.

If you need to request access to Provider Secured Services, complete the Provider Secured Access Application form and fax it to the number on the form.

List of requirements
For a list of requirements related to drugs covered under the medical benefit, see the Medical Drug and Step Therapy Prior Authorization List for Medicare Plus Blue PPO and BCN Advantage members.