• Editor: Vic Vangel • Contributors: Chris Burke, Gary Gilmore, Paul Jeffrey, James Monahan, Nancy Schiff • 

Blood Glucose Test Strip Update 

Effective April 1, 2010, FreeStyle, FreeStyle Lite, and 
Precision Xtra test strips will be the preferred diabetes 
blood glucose test strips of the MassHealth Pharmacy 
Program. 

Claims for new prescriptions of any other product will 
require prior authorization (PA). Keep in mind that any 
claim for any diabetes blood glucose test strip with a 
quantity > 100/month will also require prior 
authorization. Current prescriptions for nonpreferred 
products will be honored and will not require prior 
authorization until existing refills have been exhausted.

Abbott Diabetes Care is required to provide 
replacement meters for MassHealth members 
requiring a new blood glucose monitor. Abbott ensures 
that members will receive their replacement meters 
either through direct delivery to the member or by the 
member picking up the monitor from their prescriber or 
pharmacy. Abbott will be providing these meters to 
prescribers and pharmacies at no cost to MassHealth, 
providers, or members. MassHealth strives to ensure 
a smooth implementation. Abbott Diabetes Care will 
soon be in touch with you about all conversion issues. 
Pharmacists can call Abbott at 866-216-5747 to ask 
questions about Abbott diabetes products or this 
conversion. 

MHDL Update 

Below are certain updates to the MassHealth Drug List 
(MHDL). The MHDL has a complete listing of updates. 

1. Additions 

a. The following newly marketed drugs have 
been added to the MassHealth Drug List. 

Fanapt (iloperidone) – PA 

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone injection) – 

PA > 2 units/mo. within the first 30 days 
of therapy; 

PA > 1 unit/mo. after 30 days of therapy 

Saphris (asenapine) – PA 

Zenpep (pancrelipase) 




2. Change in Prior-Authorization Status 

a. The following drug will require PA effective 
March 1, 2010, as announced in the 
February 4, 2010, MassHealth Drug List 
rollout. Please see Table 24 of the MHDL and 
applicable PA request forms for PA 
requirements for the atypical antipsychotics. 

Invega (paliperidone) – PA 

b. The following change in prior-authorization 
status will be effective March 1, 2010. 

Methylin (methylphenidate oral solution) – 

PA > 900 ml/month 

c. The following will require prior authorization 
effective April 1, 2010. 

FreeStyle, FreeStyle Light, and Precision 
Xtra brand blood glucose testing reagent 
strips used for the management of 
diabetes – PA > 100 units/month 

All other brands of blood glucose testing 
reagent strips used for the management of 
diabetes will require prior authorization for all 
quantities. 

d. The following drug will no longer require prior 
authorization. 

Zyprexa IM (olanzapine injection) 

 






Please direct any questions or comments (or to be taken off of this fax distribution) to 
Victor Moquin of ACS at 617-423-9830. 

www.mass.gov/masshealth/pharmacy 

Number 57 

March 5, 2010