H.B. 363                                                 VETOES

(2) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO THE MARYLAND PHARMACY ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM DEVELOPED UNDER § 15-124 OF THIS SUBTITLE, THE MARYLAND
PHARMACY DISCOUNT PROGRAM DEVELOPED UNDER § 15 134.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE,
AND ANY OTHER PHARMACY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DEVELOPED BY THE
DEPARTMENT.

(B) THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT ESTABLISH PRIOR AUTHORIZATION
REQUIREMENTS OR RESTRICT COVERAGE FOR DRUGS USED TO TREAT MENTAL
ILLNESS AND BRAIN DISORDERS, INCLUDING!

(1)     ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTIC MEDICATIONS;

(2)     CONVENTIONAL ANTIPSYCHOTIC MEDICATIONS;

(3)     ACTIVE SEROTONIN RE UPTAKE INHIBITORS;

(4)     ATYPICAL ANTIDEPRESSANTS; AND

(5) DRUGS TO TREAT EPILEPSY AND OTHER CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
BRAIN DISORDERS.

(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSIDER;

(1) IMPLEMENTATION OF A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ON
PSYCHIATRIC DRUG COSTS THAT ADDRESSES POLYPHARMACY AND PRESCRIBING
PATTERNS; AND

(2) PHYSICIAN EDUCATION INITIATIVES ON PSYCHIATRIC DRUG COSTS,
INCLUDING AN ANNUAL CIRCULATION OF A DRUG PRICING LIST TO PHYSICIANS
PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.

15-124.

(a) (1) The Department shall maintain a Maryland Pharmacy Assistance
Program for low income individuals whose:

(i) Assets are not more than 1.5 times the amount of accountable
resources according to the asset schedule of the Maryland Medical Assistance
Program; and

(ii) Gross annual income does not exceed:

1. $4,600 plus $500 for each individual over 1 in a family
unit; and

2. An annual increase set by the Secretary under paragraph
(2)(ii)4 of this subsection.

(2) (i) 1. In this paragraph the following words have the meanings
indicated.

2. "Income disregard" means the exclusion of up to $1,000 of
annual income earned by an individual as a client of a sheltered workshop if the
individual's sole other income is derived from a Social Security payment.

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