Date: March 24, 2017
To: Participating Pharmacies, Physicians, Dentists, Podiatrists, Optometrists, Hospitals, Advanced Practice Nurses, and Physician Assistants
Re: Provider Drug Prior Approval Hotline – Extended Hours
This notice is to inform providers that the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is temporarily extending the hours of operation for the Department’s Drug Prior Approval Hotline. Beginning on Monday, March 27th, the Hotline will remain open an additional two hours until 6:45 pm. The extended hours are currently scheduled to remain in place until Friday April 7th.
The temporary extension is in conjunction with the Department’s implementation of the new Pharmacy Benefit Management System (PBMS). This extension will provide increased customer service by allowing for greater access for pharmacies and prescribers to obtain assistance with prior authorization issues related to the implementation of the PBMS.
The Department would remind pharmacies and prescribers that drug prior authorization requests can also be submitted to the Department via fax and the new PBMS Provider Portal. For additional information regarding the Illinois Provider Portal, please visit the Department’s Website.
The Provider Drug Prior Approval Hotline phone and fax numbers are listed below.
Phone number – 800-252-8942
Fax number – 217-524-7264
Questions regarding this provider notice should be directed to the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services’ pharmacy billing consultants at 877-782-5565.
Felicia F. Norwood
Director
