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Essence Washington Part D Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Drug Transition Policy
As a new or continuing member in our plan you may be taking drugs that are not on our formulary. Or, you may be taking a drug that is on our formulary but your ability to get it is limited. For example, you may need a prior authorization from us before you can fill your prescription. You should talk to your doctor to decide if you should switch to an appropriate drug that we cover or request a formulary exception so that we will cover the drug you take. While you talk to your doctor to determine the right course of action for you, we may cover your drug in certain cases during the first 90 days you are a member of our plan.
For each of your drugs that is not on our formulary or if your ability to get your drugs is limited, we will cover a temporary 30 day supply (unless you have a prescription written for fewer days) when you go to a network pharmacy. After your first 30-day supply, we will not pay for these drugs, even if you have been a member of the plan less than 90 days.
If you are a resident of a long-term care facility, we will cover a temporary 31-day transition supply (unless you have a prescription written for fewer days). We will cover more than one refill of these drugs for the first 90 days you are a member of our plan. If you need a drug that is not on our formulary or if your ability to get your drugs is limited, but you are past the first 90 days of membership in our plan, we will cover a 31-day emergency supply of that drug (unless you have a prescription for fewer days) while you pursue a formulary exception.
Enrollees who are outside their transition period may experience circumstances that involve level of care changes in which a beneficiary is changing from one treatment setting to another. CMS encourages, but does not require, plans to incorporate processes in their transition plans that allow for transition supplies to be provided to current enrollees with level of care changes. In this case, please use the plan exceptions and appeals processes.