Sec. D-2. Rulemaking for residential care and assisted living services. By January 1, 2006, the Department of Health and Human Services shall amend the rules regarding the principles of reimbursement for residential care and assisted living facilities to increase the amount that may be retained by a resident of a facility. The rules must allow the retention of the same amount per month that could be retained on July 1, 2005 plus the amount required to be paid by the resident for copayments for needed prescription and nonprescription drugs under the following drug programs, as applicable to the resident: the elderly low-cost drug program under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 254, subsection 4-A, the MaineCare program pursuant to Title 22, chapter 855 and Medicare D under the federal Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

SUMMARY

This bill provides for continuity of care related to implementation of the Medicare D prescription drug benefit as follows.

1. The bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to provide assistance to persons applying for and enrolled in the elderly low-cost drug program so that they may obtain benefits under Medicare D.

2. The bill allows coverage under the elderly low-cost drug program for persons enrolled in Medicare D under certain circumstances.

3. The bill provides for wrap services, continuity of care and education and outreach in the elderly low-cost drug program.