Prescription drug transition process
What to do if your current prescription drugs are not on the formulary or are restricted in some way.
New members
As a new member of a Sharp Direct Advantage plan, insured through Sharp Health Plan, you may currently be taking drugs that are not on our formulary or are on our formulary but coverage is restricted in some way.
Under certain circumstances, you may be able to get a temporary supply of your prescription drug. This will give you and your doctor time to change to another drug or request an exception and ask to cover the drug or remove restrictions from the drug. If the exception is approved, you will be able to obtain the drug you are taking for the specified period of time.
While you are talking with your doctor to determine your course of action, you are eligible to receive an initial 30-day supply of the drug anytime during the first 90 days you are a member of our plan. If your prescription is written for fewer days, we will allow multiple fills to provide up to a maximum of 30-day supply. The prescription must be filled at a network pharmacy.
After your first 30-day transition supply, we may not continue to pay for these drugs under the transition policy. You are reminded to discuss with your doctor appropriate alternative therapies on our formulary and if there are none, you or your doctor can request an exception.
If you are a resident of a long-term care facility, we will cover a temporary supply of your drug during the first 90 days of your membership in our plan. The total supply will be for a maximum of a 34-day supply. If your prescription is written for fewer days, we will allow multiple fills to provide up to a maximum of a 34-day supply. Please note that the long-term care pharmacy may provide the drug in smaller amounts at a time to prevent waste.
If you reside in a long-term care facility and need a drug that is not on our formulary or coverage is restricted in some way, but you are past the first 90 days of membership in our plan, we will cover a 31-day emergency supply of that drug (unless you have a prescription for less than 31 days) while you pursue a formulary exception.
There may be unplanned transitions such as hospital discharges or level of care changes (i.e., in the week before a long-term care discharge) that occur after the first 90 days that you are enrolled as a member of our plan. If you are prescribed a drug that is not on our formulary or coverage is restricted in some way, you may request a one-time emergency supply of up to 31 days (unless you have a prescription written for less than 31 days) to allow you time to discuss alternative treatment with your doctor or to pursue an exception. This is in addition to the above long-term care transition supply.
Continuing members
As a continuing member in the plan, you receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). We will tell you about any change in the coverage for your drug for next year.
If a drug you are taking will be removed from the formulary or restricted in some way for next year, work with your doctor to find a different drug that we cover. If there is no alternative, you or your doctor can request a formulary exception.
If you have not discussed with your doctor to switch to an alternative formulary medication or pursued a formulary exception, you are eligible to receive a temporary 30-day supply of your drug as of January 1 of the next benefit year. If your prescription is written for fewer days, we will allow multiple fills to provide up to a maximum of 30-day supply. The prescription must be filled at a network pharmacy. After your 30-day transition supply, we may not continue to pay for your drug under the transition policy. You are reminded to work with your doctor to find a different drug that we cover or you or your doctor can request an exception.
There may be unplanned transitions such as hospital discharges or level of care changes (i.e., in the week before a long-term care discharge) that can occur anytime. If you are prescribed a drug that is not on our formulary or coverage is restricted in some way, you are required to use the Plan's exception process. You may request a one-time emergency supply of up to 31 days (unless you have a prescription written for less than 31 days) to allow you time to discuss alternative treatment with your doctor or to pursue a formulary exception.
If you are a resident of a long-term care facility, we will cover up to a temporary 31-day supply (unless you have a prescription written for less than 31 days). If you have any questions about our transition policy or need help asking for a formulary exception, please contact Sharp Health Plan customer care.