Recent Updates to the Mass Health Drug List

Recent Updates to the Mass Health Drug List: Antihypertensives and Antidepressants
Angela McQueen, PharmD PCHI Clinical Pharmacist
Volume XIII, Issue 5

Effective May 1 2003, some important changes will be implemented within the Mass Health drug list. This list specifies drugs within a drug class that it will cover without prior authorization (PA). These changes are especially important because they impact two largely prescribed medication classes, the antihypertensives and antidepressants. See the table below for the preferred drugs in each class, along with instructions on obtaining non-preferred medications.

*Class*	*Covered Drug*	*Not Covered*	*For Non-Covered Drugs…*
Antidepressants	Fluoxetine (generic Prozac) Fluvoxamine (generic Luvox) Bupropion (generic Wellbutrin) Trazodone Wellbutrin SR Mirtazapine (generic Remeron) Tricyclics (generic)	Celexa Lexapro Paxil Zoloft Serzone Effexor	Fill out “Antidepressant PA Request form”
ACEI’s	Generics: Captopril (+/- HCTZ) Enalapril (+/- HCTZ) Lisinopril (+/- HCTZ)	Accupril Aceon Altace Lotensin Mavik Monopril Univasc Other ACEI/HCTZ combo products	Fill out “Drug PA Request form”
ARB’s	None	Cozaar Diovan Avapro Benicar Atacand Teveten ARB/HCTZ combo products	Fill out “Drug PA Request form”
Calcium Channel Blockers	Generics: Diltiazem, Verapamil, Nifedipine, Nicardipine Nimotop (nimodipine)	Norvasc Dynacirc Plendil Sular CCB/ACEI combo products	Fill out “Drug PA Request form”
Beta Blockers	All generics, commonly: Metoprolol Atenolol Propranolol Sotalol	Coreg Cartrol Levatol	Fill out “Drug PA Request form”
Alpha-1 Blockers	Generics: Doxazosin, Terazosin, Prazosin	Flomax	Fill out “Drug PA Request form”

Generally, using generic drugs whenever available will avoid the need to submit prior authorization forms. For further information on Mass Health coverage, please contact your PCHI pharmacist at 781-433-3600.

http://www.state.ma.us/dma/providers/pharmacy/forms/MH-DL_paforms.htm