2022 CVS Caremark Provider Manual Supplement for 2023

Caremark has released the 2022 CVS Caremark Provider Manual Supplement which is effective January 1, 2023. Pharmacies should have received a 23-page paper copy by mail and can also access it electronically on the CVS Caremark Pharmacy Portal at https://rxservices.cvscaremark.com/ (login required).

Unlike many PBMs that publish their Provider Manuals electronically on public websites, Caremark places theirs behind a password wall and chooses to mail 100-page plus paper manuals every even year (e.g., 2022) and shorter supplements during odd years (e.g., 2023).

The Provider Manual is an extension of the Provider Agreement (aka Contract) and pharmacies are “responsible for monitoring and complying” with these unilateral updates.

A few important 2023 CVS Caremark Provider Manual changes are as follows:

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Section 2.06 Change in Ownership

  • Buyers must satisfy any outstanding audit amounts associated with either the buyer or the seller prior to initiating change in ownership enrollment process

Section 3.03.03 Coupons and Other Programs

  • There are two additional coupon types that are specifically disallowed by Caremark (Alpha Scrip, SimpleSaveRx)

Section 5.06 Prior Authorization

  • Pharmacies may not “act on behalf of a Prescriber or member of Prescriber’s staff” as part of the prior authorization process

Section 8.05 Supply of Covered Items; Purchases Invoices (previously distributed May 2022)

  • Caremark outlines their “bulk purchase notification” requirements including the allowance to notify up to 21 days after the bulk purchase and to notify by email

Appendix C – Appeals Process Documentation Guidelines

  • Caremark has emphasized that documentation submitted should be relevant
  • Various changes to acceptable documentation descriptions, most of which simply provide more clarity
  • Copay (CPY) discrepancy spells out additional details with respect to cash copays
  • Drug invoice shortage (DIS) discrepancy spells out additional details with respect to proof of payment for inventory
  • No signature log (NSL) discrepancy spells out additional details for medications delivered by carrier other than a pharmacy employee

PAAS Tips:

  • Please contact PAAS National® (608) 873-1342 or info@paasnational.com, as soon as possible when you are notified of an audit – the sooner that we are part of your team, the more benefit we can bring
Eric Hartkopf, PharmD