Ch. 260                                    2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Assistance Program at a price that is based on the price paid by the Maryland
Medical Assistance Program, minus the aggregate value of any federally mandated
manufacturers' rebates.

(2) Subject to subsection (g) of this section, and to the extent authorized
under federal waiver, an enrollee whose annual household income is at or below 175
[percent] % of the federal poverty guidelines may receive a discount subsidized by the
Department that is equal to 35 [percent] % of the price paid by the Maryland Medical
Assistance Program for each medically necessary prescription drug purchased under
the Program.

(g) The Department may establish mechanisms to:

(1) Recover the administrative costs of the Program;

(2) Reimburse participating pharmacies in an amount equal to the
Maryland Medical Assistance price, minus the copayment paid by the enrollee for
each prescription filled under the Program; and

(3) Allow participating pharmacies to collect a $1 processing fee, in
addition to any authorized dispensing fee, for each prescription filled for an enrollee
under the Program.

(H) PRIOR AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURES OR RESTRICTIONS ON COVERAGE
DEVELOPED FOR THE PROGRAM SHALL BE DEVELOPED IN ACCORDANCE WITH §
15-118.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE.

[(h)] (I) The Secretary shall adopt regulations to implement the Program.
15-136.

(A)     THE DEPARTMENT SHALL USE EXISTING RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH A
TOLL FREE MARYLAND PHARMACY ACCESS HOTLINE THAT:

(1)      OPERATES DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS; AND

(2)      DURING NONBUSINESS HOURS ALLOWS CALLERS TO LEAVE A
MESSAGE.

(B)     (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DISTRIBUTE TO ALL PROGRAM
RECIPIENTS INFORMATION ABOUT THE MARYLAND PHARMACY ACCESS HOTLINE.

(2) THE INFORMATION SHALL STATE CLEARLY IN EASILY READABLE
PRINT:

(I)      THE TOLL FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE HOTLINE; AND

(II)     THAT THE PROGRAM RECIPIENT SHOULD CALL THE
TELEPHONE NUMBER IF THE PROGRAM RECIPIENT IS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING
NECESSARY MEDICINES.

(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOTIFY ALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WHO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM ABOUT THE MARYLAND PHARMACY ACCESS
HOTLINE.

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