(a) There is a Qualified State Long–Term Care Insurance Partnership.
(b) The purposes of the Program are to:
(1) Provide incentives for individuals to insure against the costs of providing for their long–term care needs;
(2) Provide mechanisms for individuals to qualify for coverage of the costs of their long–term care needs under the medical assistance program without first being required to substantially exhaust all their resources;
(3) Assist in developing methods for increasing access to and the affordability of a long–term care policy; and
(4) Alleviate the financial burden on the State’s medical assistance program by encouraging pursuit of private initiatives.
(c) The Program shall:
(1) Be administered by:
(i) The Department; and
(ii) The Commissioner;
(2) Provide for the financing of long–term care services by:
(i) Private insurance; and
(ii) State medical assistance; and
(3) Comply with the requirements of § 1917(b) of the Social Security Act and any applicable federal guidelines.