As a reminder effective January 1, 2023, BCBSRI will cover the infliximab biosimilar products, Avsola and Inflectra, in place of Remicade for Commercial Members. All commercial authorizations will be end dated December 31, 2022. No authorization is required for Avsola or Inflectra.

This will not affect any current Medicare members on Remicade. However, any new requests for a Remicade authorization for a Medicare member after January 1, 2023, will follow the new updated authorization process and will be required to try Avsola or Inflectra prior to Remicade.

If you believe it is medically necessary for your patient to continue on Remicade, you will need to complete a coverage exception form and submit it to Prime Therapeutics.

If you have any additional questions, or would like more information pertaining to letters sent, please contact providerrelations@bcsri.org.