Tennessee advances toward closed workers comp formulary

Tennessee is one step closer to establishing a closed formulary for medications prescribed in the workers compensation system, according to pharmacy benefit manager Helios.

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III has approved a rule that outlines new treatment guidelines and a closed drug formulary, Memphis, Tennessee-based Helios said Friday in a statement.

The treatment guidelines are a combination of the Official Disability Guidelines and the Tennessee Department of Health Chronic Pain Guidelines, Helios said in the statement. And the closed drug formulary would require prior authorization for “N” status drugs, such as fentanyl, compounded or topical medications and experimental drugs.

The rule to establish new treatment guidelines and a closed drug formulary will next go before a legislative committee for review and approval, according to the statement. While it's scheduled to take effect as is on Feb. 28, it could be delayed for up to 30 days depending on action of the legislature.