Premera Makes 2025 the Year for Biosimilars

A recent report from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association highlights how brand-name drugmakers are using tactics to delay the availability of generics, keeping prices high and limiting access to affordable medications. When lower-cost alternatives are blocked, patients pay the price.

What we’re doing

In 2024 the Premera pharmacy team conducted outreach to provider groups that were prescribing brand-name Humira (adalimumab) to their patients and asking that they change the prescription to the Humira biosimilar.

Effective January 1, 2025, we no longer allow new starts on Humira. Instead, a biosimilar must be prescribed. Currently we are at 70% biosimilar use, ahead of our formulary change on July 1, 2025. On that date, we’ll change our formulary to prefer biosimilars for existing members on Humira.

Need a refresher on biosimilars? Watch Healthcare Asks: What are Biosimilars?

Why this matters

Biosimilars are important for managing drug spending and reducing reliance on rebates to manage cost. Taking a stance on preferring biosimilars first will help keep the overall cost of drugs down.

Where we’re headed

It doesn’t end with Humira. Premera has a track record of covering biosimilars under medical and pharmacy benefits. Biosimilars of Avastin, Herceptin, and Rituxan are examples.

At Premera, we believe every person deserves access to the medications they need, at a price they can afford. We’re committed to advocating for policies and solutions that remove barriers, and support transparency because good healthcare should be available, accessible, and affordable for all.

Read more from BCBSA on how these practices impact patients and what needs to change.