<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 10.25.17.03" title_num="10" subtitle_num="25" chapter_num="17" heading="Benchmarks.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Each payor shall establish and maintain online access for a provider to the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A list of each health care service that requires preauthorization by the payor; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Key criteria used by the payor for making a determination on a preauthorization request.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Each payor shall establish and maintain an online process for:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Accepting electronically a preauthorization request from a provider; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Assigning to a preauthorization request a unique electronic identification number that a provider may use to track the request during the preauthorization process, whether the request is tracked electronically, through a call center, or by fax.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Each payor shall establish and maintain an online preauthorization system that meets the requirements of Health-General Article, §19-108.2(e), Annotated Code of Maryland, to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Approve in real time, electronic preauthorization requests for pharmaceutical services:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>For which no additional information is needed by the payor to process the preauthorization request; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>That meet the payor’s criteria for approval;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Render a determination within 1 business day after receiving all pertinent information on requests not approved in real time, electronic preauthorization requests for pharmaceutical services that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Are not urgent; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Do not meet the standards for real-time approval under §C(1) of this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Render a determination within 2 business days after receiving all pertinent information, electronic preauthorization requests for health care services, except pharmaceutical services, that are not urgent.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Each payor that requires a step therapy or fail-first protocol shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Establish and maintain an online process to allow a prescriber to override the step therapy or fail-first protocol if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The step therapy drug has not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the medical condition being treated; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A prescriber provides supporting medical information to the payor that a prescription drug covered by the payor:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Was ordered by the prescriber for the insured or enrollee within the past 180 days; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Based on the professional judgment of the prescriber, was effective in treating the insured's or enrollee's disease or medical condition;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Provide notice to prescribers regarding the availability of its online process; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Provide information to insureds or enrollees on the availability of the step therapy or fail-first protocol within its network.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A payor that becomes authorized to provide benefits or services within the State of Maryland after October 1, 2012, shall meet each benchmark within this chapter within 3 months of the payor's offering of services or benefits within the State and shall thereafter maintain the processes or actions required by each benchmark.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>