FDA-approved, for example:

•  asthma
•  COPD
•  EIB

Note: The above list may not include all FDA-approved indications.

Please note: In the case where the prior authorization (PA) status column indicates PA, both the brand and generic (if available) require PA. Typically, the generic is preferred when available unless the brand-name drug appears on the MassHealth Brand Name Preferred Over Generic Drug List. In general, when requesting the non-preferred version, whether the brand or generic, the prescriber must provide medical records documenting an inadequate response or adverse reaction to the preferred version, in addition to satisfying the criteria for the drug itself.

• All PA requests must include clinical diagnosis, drug name, dose, and frequency.
• A preferred drug may be designated for this therapeutic class. In general, MassHealth requires a trial of the preferred drug or clinical rationale for prescribing a non-preferred drug within a therapeutic class. Additional information about these agents, including PA requirements and preferred products, can be found within the MassHealth Drug List at www.mass.gov/druglist.
• For recertification requests, approval may require submission of additional documentation including, but not limited to, documentation of: some or all criteria for the original approval; response to therapy; clinical rationale for continuation of use; status of member’s condition; appropriate diagnosis; appropriate age; appropriate dose, frequency, and duration of use for requested medication; complete treatment plan; current laboratory values; and member’s current weight.
• Additional criteria may apply, depending upon diagnosis and/or requested medication (see below).

Advair HFA and Dulera

• Documentation of the following is required: 
  • diagnosis of asthma; and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month.

SmartPA: Claims for Advair HFA and Dulera will usually process at the pharmacy within the quantity limit of one inhaler/month without a PA request if the member has a history of MassHealth medical claims for asthma.^†

Airduo Digihaler

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to fluticasone/salmeterol inhalation powder (generic Advair); and
  • inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to fluticasone/salmeterol inhalation powder (generic Airduo Respiclick); and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month.

albuterol inhaler (generic Ventolin)

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • diagnosis of asthma, COPD, or EIB; and
  • an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to albuterol inhaler (Proair, Proventil).

Alvesco, Arnuity, and Qvar Redihaler

• Documentation of the following is required:      
  • diagnosis of asthma; and
  • one of the following:
    • an inadequate response or adverse reaction to one inhaled corticosteroid that does not require a PA; or
    • contraindication to all inhaled corticosteroids that do not require a PA; and
  • one of the following:
    • If the request is for Alvesco or Qvar Redihaler, quantity limit of two inhalers per month; or
    • If request is for Arnuity, quantity limit of one inhaler per month.

SmartPA: Claims for Alvesco within the quantity limit of two inhalers/month, Arnuity within the quantity limit of one inhaler/month, and Qvar Redihaler within the quantity limit of two inhalers/month will usually process at the pharmacy without a PA request if the member has a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for at least 90 out of the last 120 days for the requested agent.^†

Anoro, Bevespi, Stiolto, and Utibron

• Documentation of the following is required: 
  • diagnosis of COPD; and
  • member is ≥ 18 years of age; and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month.

SmartPA: Claims for Anoro, Bevespi, Stiolto, and Utibron will usually process at the pharmacy within the quantity limit of one inhaler/month without a PA request if the member has a history of MassHealth medical claims for COPD and the member is ≥ 18 years of age.^†

Arcapta

• Documentation of the following is required:      
  • diagnosis of COPD; and
  • member is ≥ 18 years of age; and
  • quantity limit of 30 capsules per month.

SmartPA: Claims for Arcapta will usually process at the pharmacy within the quantity limit of 30 capsules/month without a PA request if the member has a history of MassHealth medical claims for COPD and the member is ≥ 18 years of age.^†

Armonair Digihaler

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to Flovent; and
  • inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to Arnuity; and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month.

Armonair Respiclick

• Documentation of the following is required:      
  • diagnosis of asthma; and
  • one of the following:
    • an inadequate response or adverse reaction to Flovent; or
    • member is already receiving another Respiclick formulation; and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month.

Asmanex Twisthaler 110 mcg in members ≥ 12 years of age

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • diagnosis of asthma; and
  • clinical rationale for use of 110 mcg strength in members ≥ 12 years of age. 

SmartPA: Claims for Asmanex Twisthaler 110 mcg will usually process at the pharmacy if the member is < 12 years of age.^†

Asmanex Twisthaler 220 mcg in members < 12 years of age

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • diagnosis of asthma; and
  • clinical rationale for use of 220 mcg strength in members < 12 years of age. 

SmartPA: Claims for Asmanex Twisthaler 220 mcg will usually process at the pharmacy if the member is ≥ 12 years of age.^†

Breo

• Documentation of the following is required for the diagnosis of asthma:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • member is ≥ 18 years of age; and
  • an inadequate response or adverse reaction to Advair HFA, fluticasone/salmeterol inhalation powder (generic Advair), or budesonide/formoterol; or
  • contraindication to Advair HFA, fluticasone/salmeterol inhalation powder (generic Advair), or budesonide/formoterol; and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month.
• Documentation of the following is required for the diagnosis of COPD:    
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • member is ≥ 18 years of age; and
  • an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to budesonide/formoterol; and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month.

SmartPA: Claims for Breo will usually process at the pharmacy within the quantity limit of one inhaler/month without a PA request if the member (≥ 18 years of age) has a history of MassHealth medical claims for asthma and a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for Advair HFA, budesonide/formoterol, or fluticasone/salmeterol inhalation powder (generic Advair). Claims for Breo will also usually process at the pharmacy within the quantity limit of one inhaler/month without a PA request if the member (≥ 18 years of age) has a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for 90 out of the last 120 days of the requested agent, or has a history of MassHealth medical claims for COPD and a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for budesonide/formoterol.^†

Breztri

•  Documentation of the following is required: 
  • diagnosis of COPD; and
  • member is ≥ 18 years of age; and
  • one of the following:
    • inadequate response to ≥ three months of the separate agents Bevespi and Pulmicort Flexhaler twice daily or Symbicort and Seebri twice daily; or
    • adverse reaction to the separate agents Bevespi and Pulmicort Flexhaler twice daily or Symbicort and Seebri twice daily; or
    • clinical rationale why member cannot utilize the combination of the separate agents Bevespi and Pulmicort Flexhaler twice daily or Symbicort and Seebri twice daily; and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month.

Brovana and Perforomist

•  Documentation of the following is required:      
  • diagnosis of COPD; and
  • member is ≥ 18 years of age; and
  • one of the following:      
    • member has a claim for a nebulized respiratory product and no claims for inhalers within the last month; or
    • clinical rationale for nebulized formulation; and
  • quantity limit of 120 mL per month.

SmartPA: Claims for Brovana and Perforomist will usually process at the pharmacy within the quantity limit of 120 mL/month without a PA request if the member (≥ 18 years of age) has a history of MassHealth medical claims for COPD, has a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for a nebulized solution within the last month, and has no history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for an inhaler within the last month.^†

budesonide/formoterol and fluticasone/salmeterol inhalation powder (generic Advair)

• Documentation of the following is required:      
  • diagnosis of asthma or COPD; and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month.

SmartPA: Claims for budesonide/formoterol and fluticasone/salmeterol inhalation powder (generic Advair) will usually process at the pharmacy within the quantity limit of one inhaler/month without a PA request if the member has a history of MassHealth medical claims for COPD or asthma.^†

budesonide inhalation suspension

•  Documentation of the following is required:      
  • diagnosis of asthma; and
  • one of the following:      
    • member is < 13 years of age; or 
    • member has a claim for a nebulized respiratory product and no claims for inhalers within the last month; or
    • clinical rationale for nebulized formulation; and
  • quantity limit of 120 mL per month.

SmartPA: Claims for budesonide inhalation suspension will usually process at the pharmacy within the quantity limit of 120 mL/month without a PA request if the member is < 13 years of age, or has a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for a nebulized solution within the last month and has no history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for an inhaler within the last month.^†

Duaklir

• Documentation of the following is required: 
  • diagnosis of COPD; and
  • member is ≥ 18 years of age; and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month; and
  • one of the following:
    • an inadequate response or adverse reaction to one of the following: Anoro, Bevespi, Stiolto, or Utibron; or
    • contraindication to all of the following: Anoro, Bevespi, Stiolto, and Utibron.

fluticasone/salmeterol inhalation powder (generic Airduo Respiclick)

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • diagnosis of asthma and one of the following: 
    • an inadequate response or adverse reaction to fluticasone/salmeterol inhalation aerosol, powder (generic Advair); or
    • clinical rationale for necessity of lower dose of fluticasone/salmeterol; or  
    • member is already receiving another Respiclick formulation; and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month.

Incruse > one inhaler/month, Seebri > one inhaler/month, Spiriva Handihaler > 30 units/month, and Tudorza > one inhaler/month

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • diagnosis of COPD; and
  • an inadequate response to the requested agent dosed at standard dosing; and
  • an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to a long-acting beta agonist; and
  • an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to an inhaled corticosteroid.

levalbuterol solution

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • diagnosis of asthma, COPD, or EIB; and
  • an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to inhaled albuterol solution; and
  • one of the following:
    • member is < 13 years of age; or
    • clinical rationale for nebulized formulation. 

Lonhala and Yupelri

•  Documentation of the following is required:      
  • diagnosis of COPD; and
  • member is ≥ 18 years of age; and
  • one of the following:      
    • member has a claim for a nebulized respiratory product and no claims for inhalers within the last month; or
    • clinical rationale for nebulized formulation; and
  • an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to ipratropium inhalation nebulizer solution; and
  • quantity limit of 60 mL per month for Lonhala or 90 mL per month for Yupelri.

SmartPA: Claims for Lonhala Magnair within the quantity limit of 60 mL/month and Yupelri within the quantity limit of 90 mL/month will usually process at the pharmacy without a PA request if the member (≥ 18 years of age) has a history of MassHealth medical claims for COPD, has a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for a nebulized solution within the last month, has no history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for an inhaler within the last month and has a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for ipratropium inhalation nebulizer solution.^† 

Proair Digihaler

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • diagnosis of asthma, COPD, or EIB; and
  • one of the following:
    • inadequate response or adverse reaction to two albuterol inhalers (one must be ProAir HFA or ProAir RespiClick); or
    • contraindication to all albuterol inhalers.

 Serevent

• Documentation of the following is required:      
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month; and
  • one of the following:      
    • diagnosis of COPD; or
    • all of the following:
      • diagnosis of asthma or EIB; and
      • inadequate response to monotherapy with an inhaled corticosteroid within the last four months; and
      • requested agent is going to be used concurrently with an inhaled corticosteroid.

SmartPA: Claims for Serevent will usually process at the pharmacy within the quantity limit of one inhaler/month without a PA request if the member has a history of MassHealth medical claims for COPD.^†

Spiriva Respimat > one inhaler/month

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • for requests for the 2.5 mcg/actuation formulation, diagnosis of COPD; and 
  • for requests for the 1.25 mcg/actuation formulation, diagnosis of asthma; and
  • an inadequate response to the requested agent dosed at standard dosing; and
  • an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to a long-acting beta agonist; and
  • an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to an inhaled corticosteroid.

Striverdi

• Documentation of the following is required:   
  • diagnosis of COPD; and
  • member is ≥ 18 years of age; and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month.

SmartPA: Claims for Striverdi will usually process at the pharmacy within the quantity limit of one inhaler/month without a PA request if the member has a history of MassHealth medical claims for COPD and the member is ≥ 18 years of age.^†

Trelegy

• Documentation of the following is required:      
  • diagnosis of asthma or COPD; and
  • member is ≥ 18 years of age; and
  • one of the following:
    • inadequate response to ≥ three months of the separate agents Breo and Incruse once daily; or
    • adverse reaction to the separate agents Breo and Incruse once daily; or
    • clinical rationale why member cannot utilize the combination of the separate agents Breo and Incruse once daily; and
  • quantity limit of one inhaler per month.

^†Note: The decision on whether PA is required is based upon information available in the MassHealth medical claim and pharmacy claim databases. The MassHealth database contains member information exclusive to MassHealth, and no other health plans.