<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 10.09.03.06" title_num="10" subtitle_num="09" chapter_num="03" heading="Preauthorization Requirements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The provider shall obtain preauthorization from the Department or its designee for any prescription for:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Antibiotic liquids requiring reconstitution for amounts exceeding a 14-day supply;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Nonmaintenance drugs for more than a 34 day supply;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A usual and customary charge exceeding $2,500;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Female hormones for biologic males when used for treating sexual aggression;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Vitamin and mineral products when given by nasogastric, jejunostomy, or gastrostomy tube in the home;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Drugs rejected by the point-of-sale system because of edits established by the Program to ensure appropriate utilization of medication before the prescription is dispensed, if the Department does not allow provider level overrides;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Where a prescriber has filed an official report of an adverse event or product problem with the Program or the United States Food and Drug Administration regarding a generic drug, the brand name drug used as an alternative to that generic drug;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Drugs identified by the Program that are subject to fraud or abuse; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Drugs not on the preferred drug list developed under Regulation .12 of this chapter except for:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Antiretrovirals; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Any other drugs or classes of drugs as determined by the Department.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Off-Label Uses of Drugs.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department may require preauthorization for an off-label use of a drug.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Except as provided in §B(3) of this regulation, the Department or its designee may not grant preauthorization for an off-label use of the drug if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The off-label use is inconsistent with generally accepted standards of care;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The drug is prescribed for a non-medically accepted indication;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The drug is prescribed in a manner not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The off-label use is not documented in and supported by the latest edition of:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The American Hospital Formulary Service Drug Information (AHFS-DI);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The Thompson Micromedex Drugdex; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>The United States Pharmacopeia.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Department or its designee may grant preauthorization for the off-label use of mental health drugs for individuals 18 years old and younger within the limits established by the Program.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Preauthorization is not required for:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Prescriptions for oral contraceptive drug products;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Drugs dispensed in unit dose form to patients in a nursing facility by a provider using an approved unit dose system.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Preauthorization Process.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The provider or the prescriber, if appropriate, ordering a drug subject to preauthorization, shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Contact the Department or its designee through an established 24-hour hot-line to request preauthorization; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Provide required information and documentation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Department or its designee shall respond to a request for preauthorization by telephone or facsimile request within 24 hours of receipt of a request for preauthorization.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A 72-hour supply of the prescribed drug shall be allowed:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>In an emergency as determined by the prescriber;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>In an emergency as determined by the pharmacist, if possible in consultation with the prescriber; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>If the Department does not provide a response to a preauthorization request within 24 hours.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A preauthorization granted by the Department or its designee under this Regulation may not be used by any person as indicating that the individual for whom the prescription was ordered is eligible for Program benefits on the day the prescription is filled or that the Department will guarantee reimbursement for the prescription. All Program restrictions and requirements on eligibility, covered services, and limitations on reimbursement remain in effect.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A 30-day emergency supply of atypical antipsychotic drugs not on the preferred drug list shall be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Immediately authorized by the Department or its designee in an emergency as determined by the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Prescriber; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Pharmacist, if unable to contact the prescriber; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Limited to a one-time 30-day period.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Reconsideration of Adverse Decisions.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department or its designee shall respond within 48 hours of receiving all necessary documentation of a written request from a participant or provider for reconsideration of an adverse decision on a preauthorization request.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Department or its designee shall ensure that all adverse decisions of reconsiderations are reviewed and issued by a physician.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Appeals of adverse decisions of reconsideration requests shall be filed in accordance with Regulation .10 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The Department or its designee may:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Require preauthorization for more than ten prescriptions including refills per 30-day period per noninstitutionalized participant; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>May exclude certain drugs such as antibiotics from the limit as appropriate.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>