Pharmacy & Formulary

Johns Hopkins Employer Health Programs EHP administers pharmacy benefits for the following groups:

• Johns Hopkins Hospital/Health Systems
• Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Campus
• Broadway Services Incorporated
• Johns Hopkins University Student Health Program

Click the links below for more information.

EHP Formulary
Co-Pay Tier
Generic Substitution
Prior Authorization and Quantity Limits

A printed copy of EHP's pharmaceutical management procedures is available to providers upon request. Please call (888) 819-1043, option 4 to request this information.

EHP Pharmacy Formulary

EHP Formulary
The EHP Formulary is a guide for health care providers, plan members and clients. The formulary is updated on a regular basis, including when a new generic or brand-name medications becomes available and as discontinued drugs are removed from the marketplace The EHP formulary is subject to change at any time.

Co-pay Tier

All EHP members who are covered by the EHP pharmacy benefit have a three-tier drug benefit. With a three-tier drug benefit, prescription medications fall into one of three tiers. Each tier has a different co-pay or out of pocket expense.

The EHP pharmacy formulary consists of the following tiers:

• Tier One: Generic Medications are the most affordable and have the lowest co-pay Generic drugs contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration Generics are chemically and therapeutically equivalent to brand drugs, but are available at a lower price
• Tier Two: Preferred Brand Medications middle co-pay are brand-name drugs have been identified as safe and effective for treatment of most medical conditions
• Tier Three: Non-Preferred Brand Medications highest co-pay often have either a generic equivalent or a preferred-brand alternative. This tier also includes new products not yet reviewed by the Johns Hopkins Health Care Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee

Retail Pharmacy Network:

The retail pharmacy network includes over 64,000 pharmacies nationwide. The network includes most chain retailers and independent pharmacies. To search for a participating network pharmacy near you, click here http://www.caremark.comRegistration is required for first time use


Generic Substitution

EHP encourages use and prescribing of generic medications. Brand-name drugs with generic equivalents available are placed in Tier 3 of the EHP Formulary If the prescriber or member chooses a brand name drug with a generic equivalent, the member will be required to pay a higher cost share. Cost share for members covered under the EHP pharmacy benefit vary by employer plan design. Cost share for brand-name drugs with a generic equivalent available is determined by the employer's Summary Plan Description SPD Depending on the employer-specific benefit, the member may be required to pay the highest co-pay Tier 3 or pay the highest copay plus the difference in price between the brand and its generic equivalent. To view information on a drug, including how to take the medication, the possible side effects and drug interactions, click here: www.caremark.com and select Drug Search.

Click here to learn about our Prescribe Thoughtfully program for prescribing providers!

Prior-Authorization & Quantity Limits

Prior-Authorization:

Certain medications require prior authorization before coverage is approved, to assure medical necessity, clinical appropriateness and/or cost effectiveness. Coverage of these drugs are subject to specific criteria approved by physicians and pharmacists on the Johns Hopkins HealthCare Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Established criteria are based on medical literature, physician expert opinion, and FDA approved labeling information.

Click here for a list of drugs requiring a PA This list is subject to change without notice and is not applicable to all EHP groups. Consult the member's SPD to determine if their plan is subject to this list. Prior Authorization Form

Quantity Limits:

Certain prescription medications have specific dispensing limitations for quantity and maximum dose. These dispensing limitations are based on generally accepted guidelines, drug label information approved by the Food and Drug Administration FDA, current medical literature and input from a committee of physicians and pharmacists. The three types of quantity limits include the following:

• Coverage limited to one dose per day for drugs that are approved for once daily dosing
• Coverage limited to specific number of units over a defined time frame
• Coverage limited to approve maximum daily dosage

When medically necessary, an exception to quantity limits can be requested# If your patient's medical condition warrants use of quantities greater than listed quantities for each drug, you may submit a Prior Authorization Form request for a higher quanity.

Prescription drugs benefit vary among EHP employer groups so the information included on this page is for informational purposes only. Certain programs referenced in this information, and in some cases the pharmacy benefit itself, are not applicable to all EHP employer groups.