The Maryland legislature enacted S.B. 643, which prohibits specified private insurers, including HMOs, from reimbursing a health care practitioner in an amount that is less than the cost of the oncology drug covered under the patient's insurance benefits. An exception is made if an insurer provides an alternative mechanism or program for the health care practitioner to obtain the oncology drug. The law takes effect October 1, 1998.
Coverage is subject to the same limitations and guidelines as other prostheses.
Pennsylvania adopted two resolutions.