NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDs)

 STEP THERAPY

 

The NSAID step therapy program supports the coverage of a legend second-line, non-specific NSAID or a COX-II or brand NSAID if the participant has met the following criteria:  

 

1.                  To obtain coverage for a legend, second-line NSAID, the participant must have used two over-the-counter (OTC), non-specific NSAIDs as first-line therapy for their current condition within 180 days (6 months) of the prescription for second-line NSAID.  If the participant meets the criteria for the step therapy rule, the second-line NSAIDs will be covered.

 

2.                  To obtain coverage for a COX-II or brand NSAID, the participant must use two second-line NSAIDS for their current condition within 180 days prior to the COX-II or brand NSAID order.

 

Should the practitioner choose to use the second-line NSAID without meeting the step criteria, or use a third-line NSAID without meeting the criteria, and the participant wants the prescription given special consideration for payment within their prescription drug benefit, the practitioner must contact Health Care Services at MAHP to provide additional medical/clinical information for review.   If the medical/clinical information meets criteria for a medical exception to this step therapy, a prior authorization may be granted, allowing payment under the prescription drug benefit.  If the medical/clinical information is determined not to meet the criteria for granting a prior authorization for payment after review by MAHP Medical Director, the participant may elect to pay privately for the prescription.

 

*Fail 2 first line, fail 2 second line (180 days), OR Have been using a second line regularly (180 days) OR Medical exception

 

 

FIRST-LINE (OTC) NSAID

SECOND-LINE NSAID

THIRD-LINE NSAID

MEDICATIONS

ASA

Ibuprofen – Advil,Motrin

Naproxen - Aleve

Naproxen Sodium-Aleve

Ketoprofen - Orudis

 

Indomethicin - INDOCIN

Piroxicam - FELDENE

Diclofenac Sodium - VOLTAREN

Diclofenac Potassium–CATAFLAM Sulindac – CLINORIL

Tolmetin - TOLECTIN

Meclofenamate – MECLOMEN Etodolac - LODINE

Fenoprofen - NALFON

Flurbiprofen – ANSAID OCUFEN

Oxaprozin (DAYPRO)

Nabumetone (RELAFEN)

Diclofenac Sodium/misoprostol (ARTHROTEC)

CELEBREX

CRITERIA FOR USE

Driven by formulary status of drug, formulary (open, benefit-driven, closed) and MAC policies.

**Processing of brand name first-line drug will cause ancillary charges to participant

Participant has two different generic NSAIDs in claims history from the first-line NSAID category within 180 days prior to the prescription date of a second-line NSAID OR the participant has a claims history of seond-line NSAIDs being filled regularly prior to the request.

Participant has two different second-line NSAIDs in claims history within 180 days prior to the prescription date of a third-line NSAID OR the participant has a claims history of second-line NSAIDs being filled regularly prior to the request

Kt 04/28/05