HARRY HUGHES, Governor

849

Approved May 14, 1979.

CHAPTER 228

(Senate Bill 194)

AN ACT concerning

Pharmacy Assistance Program - Financial Eligibility

FOR the purpose of altering the allowable income levels for
determining financial eligibility for the Maryland
pharmacy assistance program; providing that the
Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene shall define
eligibility guidelines; properly defining the
prescriptions that will be covered by the program; and
clarifying language.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 43 - Health

Section 42M(a)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1971 Replacement Volume and 1978 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article 43 - Health

42M.

(a) (1) From and after January 1, 1979, the
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene shall establish a
Maryland pharmacy assistance program for certain low income
individuals whose assets do not exceed those allowed under
THE ASSET SCHEDULE OF the Maryland medical assistance
program and whose gross annual income does not exceed the
medical assistance standards INCOME SCHEDULE by more than
[$1,000] $1,700. $1,500. FOR THIS PURPOSE THE SECRETARY
SHALL DEFINE EXCLUDED ASSETS, SHALL ESTABLISH A FAMILY UNIT
STRUCTURE AND SHALL APPLY THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FINANCIAL
ELIGIBILITY SCHEDULES FOR FAMILY UNITS OF THE SAME SIZE.

(b)  The Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program shall
reimburse providers for [prescription drugs] ITEMS AND
SERVICES covered under the Maryland medical assistance
pharmacy program up to the amount paid for the same services
under the medical assistance PHARMACY program subject to a
copayment not to exceed $1 [per prescription.] FOR EACH
COVERED SERVICE.