All PlansPrior AuthMedium impact
Diabetes drug Rybelsus® discontinued, to be replaced by Ozempic® tablets
Priority Health·Endocrinology, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine +2 more·Pharmacy
Effective date
Aug 31, 2026
We identified it
Sep 1, 2026
Summary
Rybelsus® (oral semaglutide tablets) is being discontinued by the manufacturer and replaced with Ozempic® tablets for type 2 diabetes treatment. Existing prior authorizations for Rybelsus will automatically transfer to Ozempic tablets, but members switching to alternative GLP-1 medications or Ozempic injections will require new prescriptions and prior authorizations.
Action Required
By August 31, 2026: Billing and clinical teams must prepare for the medication transition. (1) Update pharmacy billing system and medication lists to recognize Ozempic tablets as the replacement for Rybelsus in automatic prior authorization transfers. (2) Notify providers to issue new prescriptions for Ozempic tablets to patients currently on Rybelsus; existing prior authorizations will auto-transfer and do not require manual intervention. (3) For any member requesting alternative GLP-1 medications or Ozempic injections, ensure providers submit new prior authorization requests before dispensing. (4) Verify that the insurance portal accurately reflects the medication substitution to prevent claim denials. Failure to properly implement the auto-transfer may result in treatment delays and claims rejection for Ozempic tablet fills.