HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                      1669

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 6 and 8 of this
article, if it appears to the Board member to whom a claim is
assigned, prior to taking action upon the claim, that (a) the
claim is one with respect to which an award probably will be
made, and (b) undue hardship will result to the claimant if
immediate payment is not made, the Board member may make an
emergency award to the claimant pending a final decision in the
case. However, (1) the amount of the emergency award shall not

exceed $1,000 PLUS THE COST OF MEDICAL EXPENSES ALLOWED UNDER §
15-127(C) OF THE HEALTH - GENERAL ARTICLE, (2) the amount of the

emergency award shall be deducted from any final award made to
the claimant, and (3) the excess of the amount of the emergency
award over the final award, or the full amount of the emergency
award if no final award is made, shall be repaid by the claimant
to the Board.         

(a) If a physician or a hospital provides any [physical
examination of] OF THE SERVICES DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (B) OF
THIS SECTION TO a victim of an alleged rape or sexual offense [to
gather information and evidence as to the alleged crime, these

services], THE SERVICES shall be provided without charge to the
individual AND THE PHYSICIAN OR HOSPITAL IS ENTITLED TO BE PAID
BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE COSTS OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES.

(b) [The physician or hospital is entitled to be paid by
the Department for the costs of providing these services] THE
SERVICES TO WHICH THIS SECTION APPLIES ARE:

(1) A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION TO GATHER INFORMATION AND
EVIDENCE AS TO THE ALLEGED CRIME; AND

(2) EMERGENCY HOSPITAL TREATMENT AND FOLLOW-UP
MEDICAL TESTING FOR UP TO 90 DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL PHYSICAL
EXAMINATION IN SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION,

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1986.

h-

Approved May 13, 1986.

CHAPTER 459

(House Bill 522)

AN ACT concerning

Medical Assistance Program - Statewide
Evaluation and Planning Services

FOR the purpose of requiring a comprehensive preadmission

evaluation for certain individuals seeking admission to a
licensed nursing home who are eligible or would become
eligible for Medical Assistance within a certain period;