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Orencia (abatacept)United Healthcare

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Preferred products

  • preferred adalimumab products
  • Cimzia (certolizumab)
  • Enbrel (etanercept)
  • Rinvoq (upadacitinib)
  • Simponi (golimumab)
  • Xeljanz/Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib)

Initial criteria

  • Diagnosis of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis
  • AND One of the following:
  • a) Both of the following:
  • i. One of the following:
  • • History of failure to a 3 month trial of one non-biologic DMARD (e.g., methotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine) at maximally indicated doses unless contraindicated or with clinically significant adverse effects (document drug, date, and duration of trial)
  • OR • Patient has been previously treated with a targeted immunomodulator FDA-approved for rheumatoid arthritis (documented by claims history or medical records) [e.g., Cimzia, adalimumab, Simponi, Olumiant, Rinvoq, Xeljanz/Xeljanz XR, Enbrel]
  • AND ii. History of failure, contraindication, or intolerance to two of the following preferred products (document drug, date, and duration of trial)
  • • One of the preferred adalimumab products
  • • Cimzia (certolizumab)
  • • Enbrel (etanercept)
  • • Rinvoq (upadacitinib)
  • • Simponi (golimumab)
  • • Xeljanz/Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib)
  • OR b) Both of the following:
  • i. Patient is currently on Orencia therapy as documented by claims history or submission of medical records (document date and duration of therapy)
  • AND ii. Patient has not received a manufacturer supplied sample or Orencia Co-Pay Program assistance as means to establish as a current user
  • AND Patient is not receiving Orencia in combination with another targeted immunomodulator [e.g., Enbrel, Cimzia, Simponi, adalimumab, Xeljanz, Olumiant, Rinvoq]
  • AND Prescribed by or in consultation with a rheumatologist

Reauthorization criteria

  • Documentation of positive clinical response to Orencia therapy
  • AND Patient is not receiving Orencia in combination with another targeted immunomodulator [e.g., Enbrel, Cimzia, Simponi, adalimumab, Xeljanz, Olumiant, Rinvoq]

Approval duration

12 months