Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3174-GG is enacted to read:

§3174-GG.__Access to medications

Beginning October 15, 2005 the prescription drug benefit in the MaineCare program, the elderly low-cost drug program under section 254 and the Maine Rx Plus Program under section 2681 must provide access to medically necessary prescription drugs for members and enrollees in those programs without the imposition of a prior authorization procedure.__The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.__Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

SUMMARY

This bill provides that beginning October 15, 2005 prescription drug benefits in the MaineCare program, the elderly low-cost drug program and the Maine Rx Plus Program must provide access to medically necessary prescription drugs for members and enrollees in those programs without the imposition of a prior authorization procedure. The Department of Health and Human Services is directed to adopt routine technical rules to implement this provision.