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CommercialPrior AuthMedium impact

[New York] Specialty pharmacy updates for May 2026

Anthem BCBS·NY · Oncology, Hematology, Ophthalmology +3 more·Pharmacy
Effective date
Aug 1, 2026
We identified it
May 3, 2026
Days to comply

Summary

Effective August 1, 2026, Anthem Blue Cross specialty pharmacy policies are changing for New York commercial plans. Seven specialty drugs now require prior authorization, quantity limits, step therapy reviews, or site of care determinations. Billing teams must implement these requirements in their systems to avoid claim denials for patients currently receiving these medications without prior auth.

Action Required

Action needed
By July 15, 2026: Billing team must update billing software and prior authorization workflows to reflect new Anthem specialty pharmacy requirements for New York commercial plans. (1) Add the following drugs to prior auth requirement matrix: Bonscresa, Lerochol, Nufymco, Oziltus, Rybrevant Faspro, Yartemlea, and Zycubo with associated HCPCS codes (C9399, J3590, J3490, J9999). (2) Configure quantity limits for Bonscresa, Lerochol, Nufymco, Oziltus, and Zycubo. (3) Mark Bonscresa, Lerochol, Nufymco, and Oziltus as non-preferred for step therapy review. (4) Set site of care requirements for testosterone cypionate, denosumab biosimilars, leuprolide, emapalumab, nipocalimab, epoetin beta, fosdenopterin, zopapogene, fitusiran, and lanreotide. (5) Notify providers to expect prior auth requests starting August 1, 2026 for patients currently on these medications. (6) Verify Carelon Medical Benefits Management processes for oncology use medications (marked with *). Failure to implement these controls will result in claim denials for affected specialty pharmacy medications.

Affected Billing Codes

C9399
J3590
J3490
J9999
J1072
Q5162
Q5161
J1951
J9210
J9256
J0888
J1809
J3404
J7174
J1930
J1932
J3316