UnitedHealthcare Announces 2010 Tier Changes for RA Medications

UnitedHealthcare recently announced that its new ProgressionRx step therapy program for certain rheumatoid arthritis (RA) medications will NOT take effect in 2010, and the carrier will instead down-tier the RA drugs on its Advantage Prescription Drug List (PDL). Effective, January 1, 2010, RA medications, Cimzia, Enbrel, Humira, and Simponi will move from Tier 3 to Tier 2 due to improved contracted rates from their manufacturers. As a result, members who use these medications to treat RA conditions will pay less for these medications.

These medications were originally designated to become part of United’s new ProgressionRx program that would motive members to use lower-tiered alternatives (see the Benefits Bulletin dated September 23, 2009). However, the negotiated manufacturer rates and subsequent down-tiering eliminated the need for the RA program.

If you have any questions about these changes, please contact our office at 919-403-1986.

Important Notice: Hill, Chesson & Woody does not engage in the practice of law, accounting, or medicine. Therefore, the contents of this communication should not be regarded as a substitute for legal, tax, or medical advice.

November 19, 2009

Hill, Chesson & Woody
Employee Benefit Services

194 Finley Golf Course Road, Suite 200,
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: 919.403.1986
Fax: 919.869-2063

www.hcwbenefits.com