Coverage determinations, appeals and grievances

If you have concerns or complaints about your prescription drug coverage, you may be able to request a coverage determination or file a complaint. Review the questions below to determine the best way to have your concern addressed.

Is your concern about your benefits or coverage?

Common scenarios include:

  • You need to take a drug that isn’t on our drug list
  • You would like us to waive a rule or restriction on a drug that is covered on our drug list
  • You would like us to cover a drug on our drug list and you believe you meet plan rules or restrictions (such as getting prior authorization) for the drug you need
  • You want us to change coverage for a drug to a lower cost-sharing tier
  • You would like to be reimbursed for a drug you already received and paid for
  • You would like to appeal a determination we have made about your coverage

Yes No

Is your problem or complaint about your quality of care, waiting times or customer service?

This may include:

  • The quality of care you receive at a pharmacy
  • The cleanliness of a pharmacy
  • Pharmacy wait times
  • The quality of customer service you receive from Basic Blue Rx

Yes No

Get a coverage determination or submit an appeal

Coverage determinations are decisions that we make about coverage or about the amount we will pay for your prescription drugs. Common reasons members request coverage determinations include:

  • Getting coverage for a drug that’s not on our drug list (formulary exception)
  • Waiving a drug rule that applies to a drug you take or would like to take (prior authorization, quantity limits, step therapy)
  • Paying a lower cost-sharing amount for a covered drug that is on a high cost-sharing tier (tier exception)
  • Asking us to pay for a drug you already bought (this is a request for a coverage determination about payment)

Request coverage determination

Faxing or mailing coverage determination forms

Use the mailing address or fax number below to submit completed forms for your coverage determination request. You don't have to have all the information complete on the form before submitting, however, all information will need to be completed for a timely decision.

Basic Blue Rx (PDP)
CVS Caremark
P.O. Box 52000, MC109
Phoenix, AZ 85072-2000
Fax: 1-855-633-7673

Need to file an appeal to a coverage determination?

Appeals are sometimes called redeterminations and it is your right to file an appeal to a coverage determination. There are 5 levels of appeals that you can make if any part of a request for a coverage determination is denied. Instructions about how to file an appeal are in the coverage determination letter you should have received.

File a grievance

If you have complaints or disputes (other than a coverage determination or late enrollment penalty determination) about any part of Basic Blue Rx operations, activities or behavior, you can file a grievance about your experience. A grievance may also include a complaint that Basic Blue Rx refused to expedite a coverage decision or appeal as initially requested.

Examples of grievances include, but aren’t limited to:

  • Timeliness
  • Appropriateness
  • Waiting times
  • Quality of care
  • Access to, and/or setting of a provided item

You can file a complaint directly with Medicare by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or by using the Medicare online complaint form.

Contact us

If your question isn’t addressed on this page or if you have questions about the information available, please contact us. You may request an aggregated number of grievances, exceptions or appeals filed with the plan.

Appoint a representative

You may choose someone to act on your behalf in filing a grievance and requesting a coverage determination or redetermination. If you have questions, contact us.

Acceptable forms of authorization documentation:

  • Power of attorney (POA) documentation
  • Document showing an individual authorized by a court or authorized under State or other applicable law. An authorized individual could include, but is not limited to, a court appointed guardian, an individual with durable power of attorney, a health care proxy, a person designated under a health care consent statute or an executor of an estate. Legal authorization documentation is valid until its expiration date noted in the document, unless revoked.
  • Completed CMS-1696 appointment of representative (AOR) form. A completed AOR form is valid for one year from the date it has signatures for you and your appointee, unless revoked.
  • Equivalent written notice which includes:
    • Your name, address, and telephone number
    • Appointed individual’s name, address, and telephone number
    • Your Medicare beneficiary identifier (MBI) or plan ID number
    • Appointed individual’s professional status or relationship to you
    • Written explanation of the purpose and scope of the representation
    • Statement that you authorize the appointed individual to act on your behalf
    • Statement authorizing disclosure of individually identifying information to the appointed individual
    • Statement by the individual being appointed that they accept the appointment
    • Signature and signature date by you and the individual being appointed. An equivalent notice is valid for one year from the date it has signatures for both you and your appointee, unless revoked