Pharmacy Program Updates: Prior Authorization Changes Effective Sept. 15, 2026
July 31, 2026
The pharmacy prior authorization program encourages safe, cost‑effective medication use by allowing coverage when certain conditions are met. A clinical team of physicians and pharmacists develops and approves the clinical programs and criteria for medications that are appropriate for PA by reviewing FDA-approved labeling, scientific literature, and nationally recognized guidelines.
See below for upcoming changes to the standard pharmacy PA programs. These changes affect members with prescription drug benefits administered by Prime Therapeutics.
Effective Date | PA Program | Description of Change | Drug Lists |
Sept. 15, 2026 | Bempedoic Acid PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Oct. 1, 2026 | Biologic Immunomodulators PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Nov. 1, 2026 | Cardiac Myosin Inhibitors PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual (IL) |
Nov. 1, 2026 | Cholestasis Pruritus PAQL | Criteria Update Target Addition | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Oct. 15, 2026 | Constipation Agents PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual |
Oct. 1, 2026 | Endari PA | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Oct. 1, 2026 | HCN Channel Blocker PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Nov. 1, 2026 | HCPA Biologic Immunomodulators PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual |
Sept. 15, 2026 | Hetlioz PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Oct. 1, 2026 | IL-4 Inhibitors PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Nov. 1, 2026 | IL-5 Inhibitors PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Nov. 1, 2026 | Imcivree PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Sept. 15, 2026 | Leucovorin PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Oct. 1, 2026 | Lupus PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Oct. 1, 2026 | Multiple Sclerosis PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Oct. 1, 2026 | Opioids PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Oct. 1, 2026 | PCSK9 Inhibitors PAQL | Targets added, Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Nov. 11, 2026 | Resmetirom PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Oct. 1, 2026 | Somatostatins PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Jan. 1, 2026 | Therapeutic Alternatives PAQL | Target Addition Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select |
Sept. 15, 2026 | VMAT2 Inhibitors PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Sept. 15, 2026 | Vowst PA | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
| Nov. 1, 2026 | Voxzogo PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
| Nov. 1, 2026 | Weight Management PAQL | Criteria Update | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
| Oct. 1, 2026 | Yuviwel PAQL | New Program | Basic, Enhanced, Basic, Enhanced Annual, Performance, Jade, Performance Annual, Performance Full, Balanced, Topaz, Performance Select, HIM Annual |
Refer to our Prior Authorization and Step Therapy Programs page for a list of programs and target drugs, the PA request form and related information.
Treatment decisions are always between you and your patients. Coverage is subject to the terms and limits of your patients’ benefit plans. Please advise them to review their benefit materials for details.
If your patients have any questions about their pharmacy benefits, they can contact the number on their member ID card. They can also visit our member site and log in to Blue Access for MembersSM or MyPrime.com for helpful tools and resources.
Prime Therapeutics LLC is a separate company contracted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois to provide pharmacy solutions. BCBSIL, as well as several independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, has an ownership interest in Prime Therapeutics. MyPrime.com is a pharmacy benefit website offered by Prime Therapeutics LLC.
The information mentioned here is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician. Physicians are to exercise their own medical judgment. Pharmacy benefits and limits are subject to the terms set forth in the member’s certificate of coverage which may vary from the limits set forth above. The listing of any particular drug or classification of drugs is not a guarantee of benefits. Members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any medication is between the member and their health care provider.
Checking eligibility and benefits and/or obtaining prior authorization is not a guarantee of payment of benefits. Payment of benefits is subject to several factors, including, but not limited to, eligibility at the time of service, payment of premiums/contributions, amounts allowable for services, supporting medical documentation, and other terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions set forth in the member’s policy certificate and/or benefits booklet and or summary plan description. Regardless of any prior authorization or benefit determination, the final decision regarding any treatment or service is between the patient and the health care provider. If you have any questions, call the number on the member's ID card for BCBSIL.