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Wisconsin • Medicaid • Prior Authorization • Patient Access • Pharmacy Operations

Wisconsin Moves Generic Buprenorphine Patches to Non-Preferred Status November 1

Wisconsin’s November preferred drug list moves generic buprenorphine patches to non-preferred status, requiring prior authorization, while Butrans remains preferred. The October list temporarily preferred the generic because of Butrans shortage and access issues. The new list takes effect November 1 for Wisconsin Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus Standard, and SeniorCare. Pharmacies should review affected prescriptions and authorization needs before the change. The reviewed documents do not specify how existing approvals will transition.

By Toby C. “Chad” Frost • October 27, 2026
1 min read

A November 1 coverage change

ForwardHealth’s November quick reference lists generic buprenorphine transdermal as non-preferred and Butrans transdermal as preferred. Its key defines non-preferred products as requiring prior authorization. The document covers Wisconsin Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus Standard, and SeniorCare and is effective November 1, 2026.1

The October list designated the generic preferred temporarily because of Butrans shortage and access issues. That footnote is absent from the November list. The live publication index lists the new document as posted October 26.124

Check authorization and prescription requirements

ForwardHealth’s pharmacy handbook describes preferred-drug-list coverage as fee for service. A prescriber may select a medically appropriate preferred product or complete authorization documentation for a medically necessary non-preferred product. The pharmacy submits the request using the prescriber’s completed documentation. Preferred status does not remove every coverage restriction. The reviewed materials do not specify how existing approvals will transition for this change.123

Chad’s analysis: Identify affected prescriptions and check individual authorization status before November 1. Coordinate with prescribers early enough to address missing documentation. Review product availability, prescription authority, and payment requirements separately before changing the dispensed product. Do not assume a previous approval has ended or that a preferred designation guarantees payment.

Source notes

  1. Wis. Dep’t of Health Servs., Wisconsin Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus Standard, and SeniorCare Preferred Drug List: Quick Reference 1–2 (effective Nov. 1, 2026).
  2. Wis. Dep’t of Health Servs., Wisconsin Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus Standard, and SeniorCare Preferred Drug List: Quick Reference 2 (effective Oct. 1, 2026).
  3. ForwardHealth, Online Handbook, Pharmacy, Prior Authorization: Preferred Drug List, topics 1999, 10937 & 1987 (accessed Oct. 27, 2026).
  4. ForwardHealth, Portal Search: Preferred Drug List, quickref11012026.pdf (posted Oct. 26, 2026).