As of March 1, 2019, all Independence members, including those previously exempt, now require a prior authorization when continuing low-dose opioid therapy beyond five days, if they have not already received prior authorization approval from Independence. Providers received a letter with a list of their Independence patients who are affected by this change.  

As a reminder, as of July 1, 2017, Independence placed a five-day supply limit on all low-dose opioids. Members who, at that time, already had a prescription for greater than a five-day supply of low-dose opioids were temporarily exempted from this limit.

For more details regarding opioid and non-opioid therapy options, please refer to the CDC’s Checklist for prescribing opioids for chronic pain.

If you have any questions concerning the prior authorization process, please contact FutureScripts^® at 1-888-678-7012.

FutureScripts is an independent company that provides pharmacy benefits management services.