Pharmacy Formulary Updates for 2008

The following Your Choice formulary updates will become effective January 1, 2008. 

The following medications will move from the third tier to the second tier:

• Januvia and Janumet for type 2 diabetes
  
• Ascensia Bayer supplies for diabetic testing
  
• Niaspan for improving cholesterol levels
   
  

The following classes of medications were previously not covered and will now be
covered at the appropriate copayment, depending on the product:

• Therapeutic prescription vitamins
  
• DESI (Drug Efficacy Study Implementation) drugs

A step therapy requirement has been added for the following medications (current
members on the medications will be grandfathered):

• Branded selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Lexapro)
  
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (Effexor XR and Cymbalta)

A prior authorization requirement has been added for the following medications:

• Seroquel on doses of 200 mg and below
  
• Oral oncology medications (current members on the medications will be grandfathered)
  
• Lucentis
  
• IVIG

Glumetza will move from second tier to non-covered.

• Glumetza is a medication used for type 2 diabetes.
  
• The generic metformin ER, which is available at the first-tier copayment, contains the same active ingredients as Glumetza.

Vytorin will move from second tier with step therapy to third tier with step therapy.

• Vytorin is a medication used to improve cholesterol levels.
  
• Formulary alternatives available at a generic copayment are simvastatin and pravastatin. Lipitor and Zetia are available at the second-tier copayment.

Trelstar and Trelstar LA will move from specialty medications with a prior authorization to non-covered medications. Current members on these medications will be grandfathered.

• Trelstar and Trelstar LA are used for prostate cancer.
  
• The formulary alternatives are Lupron and Zoladex.

Gentropin, Nutropin, Tevtropin, Omnitrope, and Saizen will move from specialty
medications with prior authorization to non-covered medications.

• These medications are growth hormones.
  
• Preferred alternatives available on the specialty tier with a prior authorization are Humatrope and Norditropin.
  
• All growth hormones have the same active ingredient — somatropin.

If you have any questions concerning these updates, contact Pharmacy Services at
1-800-396-4139.