Another avenue for speeding up the approval process is connecting with an independent specialty pharmacy that’s experienced with UC medications.
Biologics and many JAK inhibitors used for UC are typically dispensed through specialty pharmacies rather than neighborhood retail pharmacies because they require special handling, monitoring, and support services, according to Wingate.
“This can create barriers such as limited pharmacy choice dictated by insurance networks, shipping and delivery logistics, and potential delays in coordinating refills or infusion appointments,” she says.
Establishing a customer relationship at one of these pharmacies can be beneficial because they may be able to assist with prior authorization paperwork, explains Dr. Amann.
“Not all specialty pharmacies offer to help with prior authorizations, but some will be able to provide the type of documentation needed to make the process go faster, so it’s worth asking,” he says. “These pharmacies may also be able to assist with appeals if a prior authorization leads to a denial by an insurer.”
Read the full article here
