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[Ohio] Specialty pharmacy updates — November 2026

Anthem BCBS·OH · Pharmacy, Oncology, Hematology +5 more·Pharmacy
Effective date
Feb 1, 2027
We identified it
Oct 23, 2026
Days to comply
96 days

Summary

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Ohio) is implementing multiple specialty pharmacy utilization management updates effective on staggered dates: step therapy requirements for denosumab biosimilars effective November 1, 2026, and prior authorization, quantity limits, site-of-care restrictions, and clinical criteria revisions for 24 specialty medications effective February 1, 2027. Billing teams must update systems to enforce these requirements for affected HCPCS and CPT codes to avoid claim denials.

Action Required

Before Feb 1, 2027
By November 1, 2026: Billing and clinical teams must implement step therapy review requirements for denosumab biosimilars (Bildyos Q5162, Enoby Q5167, Bilprevda Q5162, Xtrenbo Q5167) in the Anthem system; verify that prior authorization requests include documentation of medical necessity. By February 1, 2027: Update billing software and prior authorization workflows to require prior authorization for Immgolis/Immgolis Intri (C9399, J3590), Lytenava (C9399, J3590), and Sarclisa Escena (C9399, J9999); implement quantity limit controls for the same codes; enforce site-of-care restrictions for 10 specialty medications (Avlayah, Boncresa, Enoby, Exdensur, Fesilty, Loargys, Osvyrti, Ponlimsi, Qivigy, Starjemza) under their respective HCPCS codes; and review revised Clinical Criteria documents (CC-0001, CC-0027, CC-0048, CC-0058, CC-0062, CC-0068, CC-0072, CC-0075, CC-0104, CC-0107, CC-0124, CC-0127, CC-0142, CC-0156, CC-0161, CC-0165, CC-0167, CC-0228, CC-0242, CC-0244, CC-0266, CC-0247, CC-0310) to identify services that may no longer be medically necessary. Confirm with Carelon Medical Benefits Management for oncology-related Sarclisa Escena requests. Failure to implement prior authorization and quantity limit controls will result in claim denials for non-compliant submissions.

Affected Billing Codes

C9399
J3590
J9999
Q5162
Q5167
Q5171
Q5166
Q5173
J1757
J2361
J7176
J1818
J1577
Q5164