Currently there are two preferred brands of rescue inhaler for commercial and Medicare Part D members, including ProAir HFA. Effective October 1, 2013, IBC will designate ProAir HFA as our only preferred brand of rescue inhaler for commercial members. Medicare Part D members will not be affected by this change. Commercial members who are currently prescribed a rescue inhaler will be mailed a letter this month notifying them of this change. The letter will explain that in order for other brands of rescue inhaler to be covered, prior authorization will be required and, in some cases, members will pay a higher level of cost-sharing. Prescribing options for commercial members as of October 1, 2013: Prescribe ProAir HFA. ProAir HFA will continue to be covered at the brand formulary level of cost-sharing. Prior authorization will not be required.   Prescribe a non-preferred rescue inhaler (i.e., other than ProAir HFA). You will need to submit to FutureScripts^® a prior authorization request using the General Pharmacy form, which is located on the FutureScripts website. In some cases, members who are prescribed a non-preferred rescue inhaler will be responsible for the highest nonformulary level of cost-sharing.   If ProAir HFA is not prescribed, we strongly recommend that you allow additional time for us to process the prior authorization request when writing a new prescription. If you have any questions, please contact FutureScripts at 1-888-678-7012.

FutureScripts^® and FutureScripts^® Secure are independent companies that provide pharmacy benefits management services.