CommercialCoverageLow impact
Drug Criteria Changes
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield·AR · Oncology, Nephrology, Endocrinology·Pharmacy
Effective date
Dec 24, 2025
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
Arkansas Blue Cross has updated coverage criteria for Welireg (belzutifan), expanding coverage for renal cell carcinoma to include stage IV and relapsed disease with clear cell histology requirements, and adding new coverage for pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma. These changes align with NCCN guidelines and FDA label updates.
Action Required
By December 24, 2025: Billing team should update prior authorization protocols for Welireg prescriptions to reflect new coverage criteria including stage IV RCC with clear cell histology requirement and new pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma indications. Providers should be notified of expanded coverage criteria for appropriate patient selection.