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September 2021

We’re changing how we pay for certain drugs that should be administered by health care provider

Starting Oct. 1, 2021, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network will no longer pay for the following drugs under a patient’s drug benefits. These medications should only be administered by a health care provider, and we’ll only pay for them under a patient’s medical benefits.

Our drug plans only pay for drugs that can be self-administered by the patient, as per prescription labeling approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

If members fill a prescription for one of these drugs at a pharmacy on or after Oct. 1, 2021, they’ll be responsible for the full cost.

Drugs that will be paid for by medical benefits starting Oct. 1, 2021 HCPCS code Common use
Eligard® J9217 Prostate cancer
Lupron Depot® 7.5mg, 22.5mg, 30mg and 45mg J9217 Prostate cancer
Trelstar® J3315 Prostate cancer
Zoladex® J9202 Prostate cancer, endometriosis, endometrial thinning, breast cancer

We’ll notify affected members of these changes and advise them to talk with their provider about continuing to receive their treatment.

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 2020 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.