Medication Approval Extensions

To help members of the ARTA Retiree Benefits Plan heed the advice of Public Health officials regarding physical distancing measures, we have extended medication approvals for drugs managed through our Special Authorization and Enhanced Special Authorization programs.

Medication approvals that require(d) renewal between February 1, 2020, and June 30, 2020, will now be automatically extended for 12 months. Impacted members will receive notice of their new renewal date from us in the coming days. There is nothing members need to do at this time.

Our hope is that this change will also lessen the burden on our health care system by reducing the number of medical appointments, which may have only been booked in order to complete renewal paperwork. In addition, this change will align these medication management programs with similar changes made to the Government of Alberta drug programs.

It should be noted that approval extensions are only in effect for the medication originally approved and while ARTA Extended Health Care coverage is maintained. If a change in medication is required, a new special authorization or enhanced special authorization request will need to be submitted.

If you have questions, please reach out to ASEBP’s Clinical Services team who manage these medication programs on our behalf. You can reach them by email at SpecAuthHS@asebp.ca or by phone at 780-431-3367.