catastrophic medical reasons

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Catastrophic illness" means an unforeseen,__prolonged and extended illness or medical condition, the medical and associated travel expenses of which are not covered by any other state or federal program or any insurance contract.

B.__"Free transportation services" means round-trip transportation without charge from an island served by the Maine State Ferry Service to the mainland and back on scheduled trips of vessels of the Maine State Ferry Service for one eligible resident and one personal vehicle to transport the eligible resident to a scheduled medical appointment.__"Free transportation services" includes transportation for one adult attendant to accompany an eligible resident to a scheduled medical appointment.

C.__"Medically necessary" means prescribed by a physician and reasonably necessary to treat a catastrophic illness.

D.__"Unforeseen, prolonged and extended illness or medical condition" means a severe illness or medical condition of a life-threatening nature, the treatment of which is expected to require a series of procedures or therapeutic interventions at regular intervals extending over a period of months, including, but not limited to, cancer requiring chemotherapy or radiation treatments or kidney disease requiring dialysis treatments.

2.__Eligibility.__Residents of the island communities served by the Maine State Ferry Service are eligible for free transportation services when traveling to and from regularly scheduled, medically necessary appointments with medical care providers if those appointments pertain to a catastrophic illness.__Free transportation services under this section are not available for routine visits to medical care providers or to meet transportation needs arising from an emergency, medical or otherwise.__Free transportation services under this section are available only upon approved application.__Reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to application for services pursuant to this section is prohibited.

3.__Rulemaking authorized.__The Maine State Ferry Service may, pursuant to the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, adopt