FDA-approved, for example:

• Drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms (Osmolex ER)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Parkinson's disease psychosis (Nuplazid)

Note: The above list may not include all FDA-approved indications.

Please note: In the case where the prior authorization (PA) status column indicates PA, both the brand and generic (if available) require PA. Typically, the generic is preferred when available unless the brand-name drug appears on the MassHealth Brand Name Preferred Over Generic Drug List. In general, when requesting the non-preferred version, whether the brand or generic, the prescriber must provide medical records documenting an inadequate response or adverse reaction to the preferred version, in addition to satisfying the criteria for the drug itself.

• All PA requests must include clinical diagnosis, drug name, dose, and frequency.
• A preferred drug may be designated for this therapeutic class. In general, MassHealth requires a trial of the preferred drug or clinical rationale for prescribing a non-preferred drug within a therapeutic class. Additional information about these agents, including PA requirements and preferred products, can be found within the MassHealth Drug List at www.mass.gov/druglist.
• For recertification requests, approval may require submission of additional documentation including, but not limited to, documentation of: some or all criteria for the original approval; response to therapy; clinical rationale for continuation of use; status of member’s condition; appropriate diagnosis; appropriate age; appropriate dose, frequency, and duration of use for requested medication; complete treatment plan; current laboratory values; and member’s current weight.
• Additional criteria may apply, depending upon the member’s condition and requested medication (see below).

carbidopa/levodopa orally disintegrating tablet

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • member is unable to swallow pills or use a conventional dosage form; and
  • member is not currently receiving other oral solid dosage forms.

carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis.

SmartPA: Claims for carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone will usually process at the pharmacy without a PA request if the member has a history of MassHealth medical claims for Parkinson’s disease.†

Duopa

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • member has a PEG tube; and
  • medical records documenting an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa tablet formulation; and
  • medical records documenting an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to extended-release carbidopa/levodopa tablet formulation.

entacapone, Ongentys, and tolcapone 

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • member is concurrently taking carbidopa/levodopa; and
  • if request is for Ongentys, an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to entacapone.
  • if request is for tolcapone, an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to both entacapone and Ongentys.

SmartPA: Claims for entacapone will usually process at the pharmacy without a PA request if the member has a history of MassHealth medical claims for Parkinson’s disease and a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for a carbidopa/levodopa product for at least 90 days within the last 120 days.†

SmartPA: Claims for Ongentys will usually process at the pharmacy without a PA request if the member has a history of MassHealth medical claims for Parkinson’s disease, a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for a carbidopa/levodopa product for at least 90 days within the last 120 days, and a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for entacapone.†

SmartPA: Claims for tolcapone will usually process at the pharmacy without a PA request if the member has a history of MassHealth medical claims for Parkinson’s disease, a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for a carbidopa/levodopa product for at least 90 days within the last 120 days, and a history of paid MassHealth pharmacy claims for entacapone and Ongentys.†

Gocovri

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • member is experiencing dyskinesia while on levodopa-based therapy; and
  • member is concurrently taking carbidopa/levodopa; and
  • medical necessity for use of amantadine extended-release instead of amantadine immediate-release; and
  • if request is for the 68.5 mg strength, member has moderate or severe renal impairment; and
  • one of the following:
    • for 68.5 mg strength, request is within the quantity limit of one unit/day; or
    • for 137 mg strength, request is within the quantity limit of two units/day.

Inbrija and Kynmobi

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • member is experiencing “off” symptoms with carbidopa/levodopa therapy despite maximizing dose; and
  • medical records documenting an inadequate response or adverse reaction to immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa used as needed for “off” symptoms; and
  • medical records documenting an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to carbidopa/levodopa in combination with all of the following:
    • dopamine agonist; and
    • catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor; and
    • monoamine oxidase (MAO) B inhibitor; and
  • one of the following:
    • If request is for Inbrija, requested dose is 84 mg (two 42 mg capsules) up to five times per day as needed for “off” symptoms; or
    • If request is for Kynmobi, requested quantity does not exceed five units/day.

Neupro > one unit/day and rasagiline > one unit/day

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • member is concurrently taking carbidopa/levodopa; and
  • medical records documenting titration to doses exceeding the quantity limit.

Nourianz

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • member is experiencing “off” symptoms with carbidopa/levodopa therapy despite maximizing dose; and
  • medical records documenting an inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to carbidopa/levodopa in combination with all of the following:
    • dopamine agonist; and
    • COMT inhibitor; and
    • MAO B inhibitor; and
  • request is within the quantity limit of one unit/day.

Nuplazid

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • prescriber is a neurologist or a neurology consult is provided; and
  • one of the following:
    • for 34 mg capsule: quantity limit of one unit/day; or
    • for the 10mg tablet, both of the following:
      • requested medication will be used in combination with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor; and
      • request is within the quantity limit of two units/day

Osmolex ER

• Documentation of the following is required for a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • inadequate response or adverse reaction to three or contraindication to all of the following:
    • carbidopa/levodopa; or
    • dopamine agonist; or
    • monoamine oxidase-type B inhibitor; or
    • anticholinergic agents; and
  • one of the following:
    • for Osmolex ER tablet, request is within the quantity limit of one unit/day; or
    • for Osmolex ER tablet dose pack, request is within the quantity limit of two units/day; and
  • medical necessity for use of amantadine extended-release instead of amantadine immediate-release (capsules, tablets, oral solution).
• Documentation of the following is required for a diagnosis of drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • inadequate response or adverse reaction to one or contraindication to all anticholinergic agents (e.g., benztropine, trihexyphenidyl); and
  • medical necessity for use of amantadine extended-release instead of amantadine immediate-release (capsules, tablets, oral solution); and
  • one of the following:
    • for Osmolex ER tablet, request is within the quantity limit of one unit/day; or
    • for Osmolex ER tablet dose pack, request is within the quantity limit of two units/day.

pramipexole extended-release and ropinirole extended-release

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • medical records documenting an adverse reaction or inadequate response to the immediate-release preparation with the same active ingredient and
  • for requests for pramipexole extended-release, medical records documenting an adverse reaction or inadequate response to ropinirole extended-release.

Rytary

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • medical records documenting an inadequate response or adverse reaction to the immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa tablet formulation; and
  • medical necessity for use instead of carbidopa/levodopa extended-release tablet.

Xadago

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • member is concurrently taking carbidopa/levodopa; and
  • member is experiencing “off” symptoms with carbidopa/levodopa therapy; and
  • medical records documenting an inadequate response or adverse reaction to selegiline and rasagiline; and
  • request is within the quantity limit of one unit/day.

Zelapar

• Documentation of the following is required:
  • appropriate diagnosis; and
  • member is concurrently taking carbidopa/levodopa; and
  • member is unable to swallow pills or use a conventional dosage form; and
  • member is not currently receiving other oral solid dosage forms; and
  • request is within the quantity limit of two units/day.

^†Note: The decision on whether PA is required is based upon information available in the MassHealth medical claim and pharmacy claim databases. The MassHealth database contains member information exclusive to MassHealth, and no other health plans.