Hurricane Irene

MARTIN O'MALLEY Governor ANTHONY G. BROWN Lt. Governor MARYLAND INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION THERESE M. GOLDSMITH Commissioner BETH SAMMIS KAREN STAKEM HORNIG Deputy Commissioners 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700 Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Direct Dial: 410-468-2029 Fax: 410-468-2430 Email: jhatchette@mdinsurance.state.md.us 1-800-492-6116 TTY: 1-800-735-2258 # Bulletin 11-21 Date: August 26, 2011 To: All Health Carriers Re: Hurricane Irene On August 25, 2011, Governor Martin O'Malley issued Executive Order 01.01.2011.14 declaring a State of Emergency for the State of Maryland. Accordingly, pursuant to COMAR 31.01.02.05, the Insurance Commissioner hereby activates the following emergency regulations for all health insurance carriers in the State throughout the emergency period. Pursuant to COMAR 31.01.02.06.A(3) and (4), the Insurance Commissioner hereby requires health carriers to: waive any time restrictions on prescription medication refills and authorize payment to pharmacies for at least a 30-day supply of any prescription medication, regardless of the date upon which the prescription medication had most recently been filled by a pharmacist; and waive any restrictions on the time frame for the replacement of durable medical equipment or supplies, eyeglasses, and dentures. If you have any questions regarding this Bulletin, please contact Joy Hatchette, Associate Commissioner, Consumer Education and Advocacy by telephone at (410) 468-2029 or by e-mail at jhatchette@mdinsurance.state.md.us. By: Therese M. Goldsmith Insurance Commissioner