Medical Assistance Program; Prior Authorization List [33 Pa.B. 692] The purpose of this notice is to announce that the Department of Public Welfare (Department) will add an item to the Medical Assistance (MA) Program's list of items and services requiring prior authorization.
Section 443.6(b)(7) of the Public Welfare Code (62 P. S. § 443.6(b)(7)) authorizes the Department to add items and services to the list of services requiring prior authorization by publication of notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The MA Program will require prior authorization for prescriptions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) dispensed on and after February 18, 2003, that meet any of the following conditions:
1. The recipient is taking another NSAID.
2. The prescribed dosage is higher than the dosage recommended by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
3. The recipient is under 70 years of age and is not taking an anticoagulant.
Prescriptions that do not meet any of the listed conditions will not require prior authorization.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal note was prepared under the authority of section 612 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 232).
Contact Person
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to this notice within 30 days of this publication to the Department of Public Welfare, Office of Medical Assistance Programs, c/o Deputy Secretary's Office. Attention: Regulations Coordinator, Room 515, Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Comments received will be considered in subsequent changes to these prior authorization requirements. Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Services, (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).
FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,
SecretaryFiscal Note: 14-NOT-348. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 03-177. Filed for public inspection January 31, 2003, 9:00 a.m.]
