Sign In - Secure Provider Portal
BLUECONNECT
Providers
November 2023
In This Issue
► November news: Executive summary
► Important information about our 2024 HMO plans
► Register for a lifestyle medicine course at no cost
► Help increase the use of preferred biosimilar drugs
► Overview of diabetes measures for MY 2023
► AZ Blue fee schedule updates
Our Gold Card program makes prior auth easy for qualifying providers: Learn more!
Biosimilar medications: Your prescribing practices can influence
the patient experience
What is a biosimilar medication?
A biosimilar is a biologic medication that the FDA has evaluated and approved after determining that: (i) the biosimilar has been proven to be almost identical to the original reference biologic; (ii) there are no substantive clinical differences in terms of safety and efficacy; and (iii) there are only minor differences in the inactive components. Use of preferred biosimilars can lower cost share for members by an average of 15%-20%. 
How you can help increase the use of preferred biosimilars
• Prescribe the preferred biosimilar products for your patients—see the list below. For certain biosimilar medications, we require use of the preferred products.
• Help patients understand the effectiveness, safety, and potential savings of preferred biosimilars. The FDA website offers useful biosimilar information for patients and consumers. 
• Stay up to date on new biosimilars and clinical information shared by the FDA. 
Preferred biosimilar status
We require the use of preferred biosimilars. The list below, from our Biosimilar Therapy criteria, shows the preferred products that must be prescribed before a non-preferred option will be covered. 
In This Issue
► November news: Executive summary
► Important information about our 2024 HMO plans
► Register for a lifestyle medicine course at no cost
► Help increase the use of preferred biosimilar drugs
► Overview of diabetes measures for MY 2023
► AZ Blue fee schedule updates
Our Gold Card program makes prior auth easy
for qualifying providers: Learn more!
Zirabev, Nivestym, Inflectra, Nyvepria, Ruxience, and Trazimera are registered trademarks of Pfizer Inc.

Avastin and Herceptin are registered trademarks of Genentech USA, Inc.

Alymsys, Releuko, and Fylnetra are registered trademarks of Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC.

Mvasi, Neupogen, Avsola, Neulasta, and Riabni are registered trademarks, and Onpro® is a trademark, of Amgen, Inc. Kanjinti is a trademark owned or licensed by Amgen, Inc., its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

Vegzelma is a registered trademark of Celltrion Healthcare Co., Ltd. Truxima and Herzuma are registered trademarks of Celltrion Inc., used under license.

Granix is a registered trademark of Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.

Zarxio and Ziextenzo are registered trademarks of Novartis AG.

Renflexis and Ontruzant are registered trademarks of Organon.

Remicade is a registered trademark of Janssen Biotech, Inc.

Fulphila and Ogivri are registered trademarks of Biosimilars Newco Ltd., a Biocon Biologics Company.

Stimufend is a registered trademark of Fresenius Kabi.

Udenyca is a registered trademark of Coherus BioSciences, Inc.

Rituxan is a registered trademark of Biogen, Inc.

1Source: FDA, “Biosimilar and Interchangeable Biologics: More Treatment Choices”

Blue Cross, Blue Shield, the Cross and Shield Symbols, MyBlue, BlueCard, Federal Employee Program, and FEP are registered service marks, and BluePathway and BlueJourney are service marks, of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

© 2023 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Inc. All rights reserved.


To add email addresses to our communication distribution list, reach out to your assigned Provider Relations Contact.
DISCLAIMER  |  PRIVACY POLICY  |  AZBLUE.COM
facebook instagram twitter linkedin TikTok youtube