October 2018

Synagis Season and Formulary Update

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) season is almost here. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) will be using the 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics RSV schedule for the 2018-19 season, as recommended by the Texas Pediatric Society Infectious Disease Committee/RSV Task Group. The Task Group has reviewed more than 15 years of epidemiologic data. It recommends the period for prophylaxis to be from Oct. 15, 2018, to March 15, 2019, in the Travis and Central Texas service areas.

Because we allow a maximum of five injections of Synagis a season, it is important to be aware of the current epidemiology. Also, remember that BCBSTX requires STAR/CHIP and STAR Kids prior authorization forms for Synagis injections.

Synagis Formulary Update
Effective Sept. 17, 2018, the following Synagis drugs were added to the Medicaid formulary: