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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerPolicy UpdatesPharmacy & Specialty DrugsOklahoma Health Care Authority Forteo PA | OpenPay…
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    CurrentOklahoma Health Care AuthorityPolicy N/A

    Forteo (teriparatide) Coverage Criteria

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    This policy governs SoonerCare prior authorization and coverage of Forteo (teriparatide) for osteoporosis, including initial and continuation therapy requirements, safety restrictions, approval duration, and total lifetime coverage limits.

    Policy Summary
    PayerOklahoma Health Care Authority
    PolicyForteo (teriparatide) Coverage Criteria
    Policy CodePolicy N/A
    Change TypeAdded to Tier 3 prior authorization category
    Effective DateApril 2010
    Next Review DateN/A
    Key ActionSubmit prior authorization for new starts and document the required diagnosis, clinical criteria, prior-agent trial, and recent BMD results.
    SourceLink
    POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

    Forteo was added to the Osteoporosis Product Based Prior Authorization Category as a Tier 3 medication during fiscal year 2010.

    1 yearPrior authorization approval period
    2 yearsMaximum total coverage period
    30Members receiving Forteo, Jul 2008–Jun 2009
    71FY09 petitions submitted
    35/10/26
    Policy Summary
    PayerOklahoma Health Care Authority
    PolicyForteo (teriparatide) Coverage Criteria
    Policy CodePolicy N/A
    Change TypeAdded to Tier 3 prior authorization category
    Effective DateApril 2010
    Next Review DateN/A
    Key ActionSubmit prior authorization for new starts and document the required diagnosis, clinical criteria, prior-agent trial, and recent BMD results.
    SourceLink
    On This Page
    Coverage CriteriaCoding and Clinical ThresholdsProvider Actions and Authorization RulesPolicy BackgroundKey DefinitionsInitial TherapyContinuation TherapyStep Therapy RequirementCoverage Duration Limit

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    FY09 petition outcomes

    Coverage Criteria

    Continuation Therapy

    Continued coverage is available for members already stabilized on Forteo.

    Stabilized continuation: Member is already stabilized on Forteo.

    The member should be approved for continued coverage without being required to stop Forteo and try another agent.

    Initial Therapy

    New-start members must meet all applicable prior authorization requirements.

    New-start requirements

    • Qualifying patient pathway

      • Postmenopausal woman pathway: Member is a postmenopausal woman at high risk for fracture or cannot tolerate, is allergic to, or has failed to improve while using other agents.BMD T-score at or below -2.5 for high risk for fracture
      • Male osteoporosis pathway: Member is a man with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis at high risk for fracture or cannot tolerate, is allergic to, or has failed to improve while using other agents.BMD T-score at or below -2.5 for high risk for fracture
    • Required diagnosis: Member has an appropriate ICD-9 code or diagnosis of osteoporosis.
    • Prior osteoporosis-agent trial: Member has completed a trial with any one other osteoporosis agent.At least 12 months

      The trial is not required when the other agent was contraindicated, or the member was intolerant or allergic.

    • Recent BMD documentation: A BMD test result is documented on the petition.T-score at or below -2.5; test performed within the last month

    Coverage Limitations

    Coverage is limited by the following treatment-safety and combination-therapy restrictions.

    Treatment limitations

    • No concurrent osteoporosis therapy: Concurrent use of Forteo with other osteoporosis agents is not covered.
    • Maximum total coverage: Total Forteo coverage does not exceed 2 years.2 years

      Forteo has not been proven to be safe and efficacious for longer than 2 years.

    Concurrent use of Forteo with other osteoporosis agents is not covered.

    Forteo coverage is limited to a maximum total period of 2 years. Use beyond 2 years is excluded because longer-term safety and efficacy have not been established; animal studies also identified a potential osteosarcoma risk.

    Coding and Clinical Thresholds

    Required diagnosisICD-9
    ICD-9 osteoporosis diagnosis codeAn appropriate ICD-9 code/diagnosis of osteoporosis is required; the specific code is not listed.
    BMD T-score
    ThresholdAt or below -2.5
    Applies toHigh risk for fracture
    DocumentationThe BMD T-score must be indicated on the prior authorization petition
    Recent BMD test
    Required timingWithin the last month
    Required resultBMD T-score at or below -2.5
    DocumentationTest results should be indicated on the prior authorization petition

    Provider Actions and Authorization Rules

    Prior Authorization

    Continuation Therapy for Stabilized Members

    Members already stabilized on Forteo should receive continued coverage without being required to stop Forteo and try another osteoporosis agent.

    Prior Authorization

    New-Start Prior Authorization Required

    New-start members require prior authorization and must satisfy all applicable clinical requirements before Forteo coverage is approved.

    • Member is a postmenopausal woman at high risk for fracture, defined as a T-score at or below -2.5, or cannot tolerate, is allergic to, or has failed to improve with other agents.
    • Member is a man with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis at high risk for fracture, defined as a T-score at or below -2.5, or cannot tolerate, is allergic to, or has failed to improve with other agents.
    • An appropriate osteoporosis diagnosis and ICD-9 code must be documented.

    Policy Background

    Forteo (teriparatide) is used for osteoporosis in selected patients at high risk for fracture or who cannot tolerate, are allergic to, or have not improved with other osteoporosis agents. The policy identifies a BMD T-score of at or below -2.5 as the high-risk threshold.

    Key Definitions

    High risk for fracture
    DefinitionA BMD T-score at or below -2.5
    Clinical significanceQualifies as high risk for fracture
    Applicable pathwaysUsed for qualifying postmenopausal women and men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis
    Already stabilized
    DefinitionThe member is already receiving Forteo and has been stabilized on therapy
    Coverage statusEligible for continued coverage
    Treatment transitionThe member should not be required to stop Forteo and try another agent

    Initial Therapy

    Initial Therapy

    New-start members must meet all specified prior authorization criteria.

    Initial Forteo therapy

    • Qualifying patient pathway

      • Postmenopausal woman pathway: Member is a postmenopausal woman at high risk for fracture or cannot tolerate, is allergic to, or has failed to improve while using other agents.BMD T-score at or below -2.5 for high risk for fracture
      • Male osteoporosis pathway: Member is a man with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis at high risk for fracture or cannot tolerate, is allergic to, or has failed to improve while using other agents.BMD T-score at or below -2.5 for high risk for fracture

    Continuation Therapy

    Continuation Therapy

    Members already stabilized on Forteo qualify for continued coverage.

    Stabilized continuation: Member is already stabilized on Forteo.

    The member should be approved for continued coverage without being required to stop Forteo and try another agent.

    Step Therapy Requirement

    StepRequirementDurationException
    1Trial of any one other osteoporosis agent before a new Forteo startAt least 12 monthsTrial may be waived if the agent was contraindicated or the member was intolerant or allergic

    Coverage Duration Limit

    Quantity limit
    MedicationForteo (teriparatide)
    Maximum total coverage2 years
    Safety basisUse beyond 2 years is excluded because longer-term safety and efficacy have not been established
    Prior osteoporosis-agent trial
    Minimum durationAt least 12 months
    Required therapyA trial of any one other osteoporosis agent
    ExceptionsThe trial is not required when the other agent was contraindicated, or the member was intolerant or allergic
    Maximum total Forteo coverage
    Maximum total coverage2 years
    Authorization periodPrior authorization should be approved for 1 year
    Reason for limitForteo has not been proven safe and efficacious for longer than 2 years
    Prior Authorization

    Authorization Duration

    Prior authorization approval should be issued for 1 year, subject to the maximum total Forteo coverage period of 2 years.

    • Approval period: 1 year.
    • Total lifetime coverage limit: 2 years.
    Step Therapy

    Prior Osteoporosis-Agent Trial Required

    Before a new Forteo start, the member must have completed at least a 12-month trial with another osteoporosis agent, unless that agent was contraindicated, not tolerated, or caused an allergic reaction. A BMD test with a T-score at or below -2.5 must also have been performed within the last month.

    • Document the prior 12-month trial with at least one other agent, or the applicable contraindication, intolerance, or allergy exception.
    • Include BMD results from within the last month in the prior authorization petition.
    Documentation Required

    New-Start Clinical Documentation

    The prior authorization petition for a new Forteo start must document the applicable osteoporosis diagnosis, fracture-risk criteria, prior-agent history or exception, and recent BMD results.

    • Appropriate ICD-9 code/diagnosis of osteoporosis.
    • Postmenopausal woman or man with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis, as applicable.
    • T-score at or below -2.5 and BMD test within the last month.
    • Prior 12-month osteoporosis-agent trial, unless contraindicated, not tolerated, or allergic.
    Denial Risk

    Failure to Meet Initial-Therapy Criteria

    A new Forteo start should be denied when the member does not meet the required clinical criteria or the prior authorization petition does not establish medical necessity.

    • No qualifying osteoporosis diagnosis or ICD-9 code.
    • No qualifying high-fracture-risk status or documented inability to tolerate, allergy to, or failure to improve with other agents.
    • No qualifying 12-month prior-agent trial or stated exception.
    • No BMD test within the last month showing a T-score at or below -2.5.
    Denial Risk

    Concurrent Osteoporosis Therapy Not Covered

    Concurrent use of Forteo with other osteoporosis agents is not covered unless additional clinical research becomes available supporting the safety and efficacy of combination use.

    • Do not approve concurrent Forteo therapy with another osteoporosis agent under the current criteria.
    Denial Risk

    Do Not Exceed Lifetime Coverage Limit

    Forteo coverage is limited to a maximum total period of 2 years because longer-term safety and efficacy have not been established. Animal studies indicate potential osteosarcoma risk, and the medication guide advises against use beyond 2 years.

    • Maximum total coverage: 2 years.
    • Forteo is contraindicated in the presence of osteosarcoma risk conditions, including Paget's disease, radiation therapy of bone, bone metastases, or hypercalcemia.
    • Treatment may cause leg cramps and dizziness.
    Required diagnosis: Member has an appropriate ICD-9 code or diagnosis of osteoporosis.
  1. Prior osteoporosis-agent trial: Member has completed a trial with any one other osteoporosis agent.At least 12 months

    The trial is not required when the other agent was contraindicated, or the member was intolerant or allergic.

  2. Recent BMD documentation: A BMD test result is documented on the petition.T-score at or below -2.5; test performed within the last month
  3. No concurrent osteoporosis therapy: Forteo is not used concurrently with other osteoporosis agents.