Prescription Drug Transition Process
What to do if your current prescription drugs are not on the Drug List (formulary) or are restricted in some way
Drugs aren’t on list section
Sometimes, you may take a prescription drug that isn’t on your plan’s Drug List or it’s restricted in some way. Whether you’re a new member or a continuing member, there’s a way to get help.
Start by talking to your doctor. Your doctor can help decide if there’s another drug on the Drug List you can switch to. If there isn’t a good alternative drug, you, your representative or your doctor can ask for a formulary exception. If the exception is approved, you can keep getting your current drug for a certain period of time.
Review your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) to find out exactly what your plan covers. If you’re a continuing member, you’ll get an Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC). Review the ANOC carefully to find out if your current drugs will be covered the same way in the upcoming year.
Whether you’re switching drugs or waiting for an exception approval, you may be eligible for a transition supply of your current drug.
- You must get your 1-month supply, as described in EOC, during the first 90 days of membership with the plan as a new member OR within the first 90 days of the calendar year if you are a continuing member and your drug has encountered a negative formulary change.
- You may also be eligible for a one-time, temporary 1-month supply if you qualify for an emergency fill while residing in a long-term care (LTC) facility after the first 90 days as a new member or you have encountered a level of care change.
- If your doctor writes your prescription for fewer days and the prescription has refills, you may refill the drug until you’ve received at least a 1-month supply, as described in your EOC.
New members
As a new plan member, you may currently be taking drugs that are not on the plan’s formulary (drug list), or they are on the formulary but are restricted in some way.
In instances like these, start by talking with your doctor about appropriate alternative medications available on the formulary. If no appropriate alternatives can be found, you or your doctor can request a formulary exception. If the exception is approved, you may be able to obtain the drug for a specified period of time.
During the first 90 days of your membership in the plan if you are a new member, you can request at least a 1-month supply, as described in your plan’s Evidence of Coverage.
During the first 90 days of the calendar year if you were in the plan last year and your drug encountered a negative formulary change, you can request at least a 1-month supply, as described in your plan’s Evidence of Coverage.
Members who have unplanned transitions such as hospital discharges (including psychiatric hospitals) or level of care changes (i.e., changing long-term care facilities, exiting and entering a long-term care facility, ending Part A coverage within a skilled nursing facility, or ending hospice coverage and reverting to Medicare coverage) at any time during the plan year. You can request at least a 1-month supply, as described in your plan’s Evidence of Coverage.
Continuing members
As a continuing member in the plan, you receive an Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC). You may notice that a drug you are currently taking is either not on the upcoming year’s formulary or is on the formulary but restricted in some way in the upcoming year.
Starting October 15, 2023, you may request a 2024 coverage review. If your request is approved, the plan will cover the drug as of January 1, 2024.
If your drug is subject to new formulary restrictions on January 1, 2024 and you have not discussed switching to an alternative formulary medication or pursued a formulary exception with your doctor, you may receive a temporary supply within the first 90 days of the new calendar year when you go to a network pharmacy. This would be at least a 1-month supply, as described in your plan’s Evidence of Coverage, to allow you time to discuss alternative treatment with your doctor or to pursue a formulary exception.
If you live in a long-term care facility, you can obtain multiple refills until you’ve reached at least a 31-day supply, including when prescriptions are dispensed for less than the written amount due to drug utilization edits that are based on approved product labeling.
There may be unplanned transitions such as hospital discharges or level of care changes (i.e., changing long-term care facility or in the week before or after a long-term care discharge, end of skilled nursing facility stay and reverting to Part D coverage or when taken off hospice care) that can occur anytime. If you are prescribed a drug that is not on our formulary or your ability to get your drugs is restricted in some way, you are required to use the plan's exception process. For most drugs, you may request a one-time temporary supply of at least one month, as described in your plan’s Evidence of Coverage, to allow you time to discuss alternative treatment with your doctor or to pursue a formulary exception.
For members who have been in the plan for more than 90 days and reside in a long-term care (LTC) facility and need a supply right away, we will cover at least a 31-day temporary supply, as described in your plan’s Evidence of Coverage.
If you have any questions about this transition policy or need help asking for a formulary exception, contact a member services representative.
For prescription drug transition process information in Spanish, go to Forms and Resources and view section 5.2 of your Evidence of Coverage (Spanish) for more information.
If you’re out of medication after receiving a temporary transition supply and you’re working with your prescriber to switch to an alternative drug or request an exception, call the number on your member ID card or contact UnitedHealthcare Customer Service.
Related Information
The Coverage Determination Request Form may be found underAppeal a Coverage Decisionsection on this page.
