Skip to content
The Policy VaultThe Policy Vault

icosapent ethylBlue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico

Reduction of risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization in appropriate patients

Initial criteria

  • ONE of the following:
  • A. Diagnosis of severe hypertriglyceridemia (fasting triglyceride level ≥ 500 mg/dL) OR
  • B. Use to reduce risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization AND ALL of the following:
  • 1. ONE of the following:
  • A. On maximally tolerated statin therapy OR
  • B. Intolerance or hypersensitivity to statin therapy OR
  • C. FDA labeled contraindication to ALL statins AND
  • 2. Fasting triglyceride level ≥ 135 mg/dL AND
  • 3. ONE of the following:
  • A. Established cardiovascular disease OR
  • B. Diabetes mellitus AND 2 or more additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease OR
  • C. Another FDA labeled indication for the requested agent and route of administration OR
  • D. Another indication supported in compendia (AHFS, or DrugDex 1, 2A, or 2B level of evidence) for the requested agent and route of administration AND
  • 2. If the patient has an FDA labeled indication, ONE of the following:
  • A. Age within FDA labeling for the indication OR
  • B. Support for use at patient’s age for the requested indication AND
  • 3. Patient has no FDA labeled contraindications to the requested agent.
  • Additional approval path (Ohio members of Fully Insured or HIM Shop plans):
  • 1. Member resides in Ohio AND plan is Fully Insured or HIM Shop (SG) AND BOTH:
  • A. No FDA labeled contraindications to the requested agent AND
  • B. ONE of the following:
  • 1. Another FDA labeled indication for the requested agent and route OR
  • 2. Another indication supported in compendia (DrugDex 1, 2A, or 2B, AHFS-DI) OR
  • 3. Prescriber submits TWO peer-reviewed journal articles (e.g., JAMA, NEJM, Lancet) supporting proposed use as safe and effective (case studies not acceptable).
  • Compendia references: non-oncology: DrugDex level 1, 2A or 2B; AHFS-DI; oncology: NCCN 1 or 2A, AHFS-DI, DrugDex level 1, 2A or 2B, Clinical Pharmacology supportive narrative, LexiDrugs evidence level A, or peer-reviewed literature.

Reauthorization criteria

  • 1. Patient previously approved for the requested agent through plan’s PA process AND
  • 2. Patient has had clinical benefit with the requested agent AND
  • 3. Patient has no FDA labeled contraindications to the requested agent.

Approval duration

12 months