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[Ohio] Specialty pharmacy updates

Anthem BCBS·OH · Rheumatology, Nephrology, Neurology +6 more·Pharmacy
Effective date
Dec 1, 2026
We identified it
Sep 2, 2026
Days to comply
77 days

Summary

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Ohio) is implementing new prior authorization requirements and quantity limits for five specialty pharmacy drugs effective December 1, 2026, and revising clinical criteria for eleven additional specialty medications. Billing teams must begin requesting prior authorization for these drugs on or after the effective date, and include NDC codes on claims to expedite processing.

Action Required

Before Dec 1, 2026
By November 30, 2026: Billing and clinical teams must update systems and workflows to require prior authorization for specialty pharmacy claims using HCPCS codes C9399, J3590, and J9999. Specifically: (1) Configure billing software to mandate prior authorization submission for Saphnelo, Hepcludex, Decnupaz, Lumvoa, and Trutakna before claim submission; (2) Update encounter templates and provider documentation checklists to prompt for medical necessity information, as certain medications require additional documentation; (3) Implement quantity limit monitoring in billing system for Saphnelo, Lumvoa, and Trutakna; (4) Train providers to include National Drug Code (NDC) on all specialty pharmacy claims to expedite processing; (5) Reference updated Clinical Criteria documents (CC-0202, CC-0303, CC-0304, CC-0305, CC-0306, and revisions to CC-0057, CC-0077, CC-0099, CC-0112, CC-0119, CC-0125, CC-0162, CC-0237, CC-0243, CC-0276, CC-0281) when determining medical necessity. Note: Oncology use of Decnupaz is managed by Carelon Medical Benefits Management, not Anthem. Failure to obtain prior authorization as of December 1, 2026, will result in claim denials for affected specialty pharmacy medications.

Affected Billing Codes

C9399
J3590
J9999