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[New York] Specialty pharmacy updates — November 2026

Anthem BCBS·NY · Pharmacy, Oncology, Rheumatology +5 more·Pharmacy
Effective date
Nov 1, 2026
We identified it
Oct 23, 2026
Days to comply
4 days

Summary

Anthem is implementing multiple specialty pharmacy review requirements for New York commercial plans, effective on two dates: November 1, 2026 for step therapy updates affecting denosumab biosimilars, and February 1, 2027 for prior authorization, quantity limits, site-of-care, and clinical criteria updates affecting multiple specialty drugs including golimumab, bevacizumab, isatuximab, and denosumab products. Billing teams must update workflows to obtain prior authorization and verify quantity limits before claim submission for affected medications.

Action Required

Before Nov 1, 2026
By November 1, 2026: Billing team must implement step therapy review requirements for denosumab biosimilars (Bildyos Q5162, Enoby Q5167, Bilprevda Q5162, Xtrenbo Q5167) in the billing system. By February 1, 2027: Billing team must update the prior authorization workflow to require authorization requests for specialty pharmacy medications including Immgolis (C9399, J3590), Lytenava (C9399, J3590), and Sarclisa Escena (C9399, J9999); implement quantity limit controls for Immgolis and Lytenava; enforce site-of-care review for 11 specialty drugs listed (J1757, Q5171, Q5167, J2361, J7176, J1818, Q5166, Q5173, J1577, Q5164); and review updated clinical criteria (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) which may result in previously covered services being denied as not medically necessary. Claims for affected medications submitted without required prior authorization will be denied. Consult Anthem's Clinical Criteria documents for complete coverage requirements before processing claims.

Affected Billing Codes

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