High-risk medications for Medicare patients may not be covered
Priority Health is working to remove high-risk medications from our Medicare formulary based on recommendations from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality1 and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 5-star quality initiative. We’ll be communicating with our Medicare members about the risks associated with these drugs and asking them to talk with their provider about lower risk options.
As you review the medications your patients are taking, please consider prescribing safer alternatives when possible. We’re anticipating changes to the Medicare formulary in June, so switching to alternatives now may protect your patients’ health and prevent future medication changes.
- To view a list of high-risk medications and potential alternatives on priorityhealth.com enter the phrase “high-risk meds” in search.
- If you would like a list of your Medicare patients who are taking high-risk medications, please contact your Priority Health Provider Account Representative.
- Watch for updates about our Medicare formulary coverage in upcoming communications.
1 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Use of high-risk medications in the elderly,
available at
http://www.qualitymeasures.ahrq.gov/content.aspx?id=14978. Access
February 9, 2011.
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