LD 1325
pg. 2
Page 1 of 6 An Act To Ensure Continuity of Care Related to Implementation of the Federal Me... Page 3 of 6
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LR 1609
Item 1

 
Sec. A-5. 22 MRSA §254, sub-§12, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 731, Pt. TT,
§10, is amended to read:

 
12. Funds not to lapse. Funds appropriated from the General
Fund to carry out the purpose of this section may not lapse but
must carry from year to year.;

 
Sec. A-6. 22 MRSA §254, sub-§§13 to 15 are enacted to read:

 
13.__Wrap services.__The department shall adopt rules
governing wrap services to provide coverage under the program to
individuals who are eligible for prescription drug benefits under
both MaineCare and Medicare D.__For the purposes of this
subsection "wrap services" means coverage for certain
prescription and nonprescription drugs that are needed by an
individual and that are not available under MaineCare or Medicare
D;

 
14.__Continuity of care.__The department shall adopt rules
governing continuity of care under the program to ensure that
individuals who are eligible for prescription and nonprescription
drug benefits under Medicare D and the program or under Medicare
D, the program and MaineCare do not lose coverage for needed
drugs at the beginning of coverage under Medicare D, as a result
of the required copayment in Medicare D after the amount of
initial coverage or by operation of law or regulation or rule
applicable to the program, the MaineCare program or Medicare D;
and

 
15.__Education and outreach.__The department shall provide
education and outreach services to applicants and individuals
enrolled in the program to increase access to needed prescription
and nonprescription drugs and fully use other private, state and
federal programs.

 
Sec. A-7. 22 MRSA §254, as amended by PL 2003, c. 611, §1 and c.
689, Pt. B, §6, is further amended by adding at the end a new
paragraph to read:

 
Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical
rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

 
Sec. A-8. Transitional prescription and nonprescription drug benefits. Beginning
November 1, 2005, and continuing until such time as individuals
who are enrolled in both the elderly low-cost drug program
pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 254,
and Medicare D are able to obtain needed prescription and
nonprescription drugs covered under Medicare D without undue
hardship or until April 1, 2006, whichever occurs


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