Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Tufts expand psoriasis coverage
Psoriasis patients covered by Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Tufts health plans will have better access to biologic and ultraviolet light treatments, thanks to changes recommended by the National Psoriasis Foundation.
Among Aetna's changes:
- It's now easier for patients to qualify for PUVA treatment (the light-sensitizing drug psoralen combined with ultraviolet light A).
- Patients no longer have to wait six months to a year before qualifying for biologic drugs, nor is there any cut-off once patients are on a biologic.
- Ultraviolet light B (UVB) is now considered a standard treatment that can be tried before a patient qualifies for biologics.
To view the policies, see www.aetna.com and search psoriasis.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts approved the excimer laser as an appropriate treatment for psoriasis. The Massachusetts provider joins may other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans that improved their policy coverage for this therapy that was considered experimental a few years ago.
To view the policy, visit http://www.bluecrossma.com/common/en_US/medical_policies/059 Phototherapy prn.pdf.
Tufts patients are now able to try and fail any type of phototherapy plus one systemic treatment before moving on to a biologic. Previously, Tufts' try-and-fail policy covered just narrow-band UVB and one systemic before approving patients for biologics.
To view Tufts complete policy, visit www.tuftshealthplan.com/providers/pdf/pharmacy_criteria/Injectable_Drugs_for_Psoriasis.pdf.
The links above take you off the Psoriasis Foundation Web site. The Psoriasis Foundation does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the content of external Web sites. Review complete terms of use.
| 
