effect on the woman's future mental health;
and further provided that $4,678,355 of this
appropriation will be reduced contingent
upon the enactment of legislation repealing
the termination provision for certain
limitations of coverage and copayment
requirements in the Maryland Pharmacy
Assistance Program; and further provided,
contingent upon the passage of legislation
limiting payment for nursing home
bed-hold days, any savings realized from
that legislation shall be expended within
this budget appropriation by enhancing
nursing home reimbursement rates.

Further provided that $1,000,000 of this
appropriation cannot be expended until the
department can provide assurances that it is
now processing and paying within 30 45 days
of receipt at least the same percentage of
claims as before the implementation of the
MMIS-II program. Further provided that it is
the intent of the General Assembly that if the
department fails to pay undisputed claims
within 30 45 days of receipt, the State shall pay
the provider a reasonable rate of interest on
the claims outstanding. The Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene, in consultation
with the Health Services Cost Review
Commission, shall study fas directed by the
AELR Committee) the feasibility and
appropriateness of modifying its capitation
rate methodology to ensure that costs for
graduate medical education (GME) are
reimbursed appropriately among the
managed care organizations serving the
Medicaid population. The findings and
recommendations of the study shall be
reported by September 1, 1997 to the AELR
Committee, the Senate Finance Committee,
the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee,
the House Committee on Environmental
Matters, and the House Committee on
Appropriations...............................................

1,040,080,358
1,027,580,358
1,034,580,358
1,025,580,358
15,725,909

- 158 -

Ch. 3

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Special Fund Appropriation.............................