Prior Authorization Criteria for Approval
PA applies to new starts only
Initial Evaluation
Riabni will be approved when BOTH of the following are met:
- ONE of the following:
- The patient has an FDA labeled indication or an indication that is supported in CMS approved compendia for the requested medication AND ONE of the following:
- There is evidence of a claim that the patient is currently being treated with the requested medication within the past 180 days
OR - The prescriber states the patient is currently being treated with the requested medication
OR
- There is evidence of a claim that the patient is currently being treated with the requested medication within the past 180 days
- ALL of the following:
- ONE of the following:
- The patient has a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis AND ONE of the following:
- The patient’s medication history indicates use of preferred biologic immunomodulator medication(s)*
OR - The patient has an intolerance or hypersensitivity to preferred biologic immunomodulator medication(s)*
OR - The patient has an FDA labeled contraindication to preferred biologic immunomodulator medication(s)*
OR
- The patient’s medication history indicates use of preferred biologic immunomodulator medication(s)*
- The patient has another FDA labeled indication or an indication that is supported in CMS approved compendia*
AND
- The patient has a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis AND ONE of the following:
- The patient has been screened for hepatitis B infection measuring hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and has begun therapy, if appropriate, prior to receiving the requested medication
AND - The patient will NOT be using the requested medication in combination with another biologic immunomodulator AND
- The patient does NOT have any FDA labeled limitation(s) of use for the requested medication that is not otherwise supported in NCCN guidelines
AND
- ONE of the following:
- The patient has an FDA labeled indication or an indication that is supported in CMS approved compendia for the requested medication AND ONE of the following:
- The requested dose is within FDA labeled dosing or supported in CMS approved compendia dosing for the requested indication
Length of approval: 12 months
*NOTES:
- Use of TWO preferred medications (Enbrel, Hadlima, Humira, Rinvoq tablets, or Simlandi) is required for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis
- ALL other diagnoses do NOT require any preferred medications
Renewal Evaluation
Riabni will be approved when ALL of the following are met:
- The patient has been previously approved for the requested medication through the plan’s Prior Authorization criteria
AND - The patient has an FDA labeled indication or an indication that is supported in CMS approved compendia for the requested medication
AND - ONE of the following:
- There is evidence of a claim that the patient is currently being treated with the requested medication within the past 180 days
OR - The prescriber states the patient is currently being treated with the requested medication
OR - ALL of the following
- The patient has had clinical improvement (slowing of disease progression or decrease in symptom severity and/or frequency)
AND - The patient will NOT be using the requested medication in combination with another biologic immunomodulator AND
- The patient does NOT have any FDA labeled limitation(s) of use for the requested medication that is not otherwise supported in NCCN guidelines
AND
- The patient has had clinical improvement (slowing of disease progression or decrease in symptom severity and/or frequency)
- There is evidence of a claim that the patient is currently being treated with the requested medication within the past 180 days
- The requested dose is within FDA labeled dosing or supported in CMS approved compendia dosing for the requested indication
Length of approval: 12 months
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities. Learn more about our non-discrimination policy and no-cost services available to you.
Information in other languages: Español 中文 Tiếng Việt 한국어 Français العَرَبِيَّة Hmoob ру́сский Tagalog ગુજરાતી ភាសាខ្មែរ Deutsch हिन्दी ລາວ 日本語
© 2026 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. ®, SM Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. All other marks and names are property of their respective owners. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.