(a) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the commissioner’s designee, may be the authorized representative of an applicant or recipient of services provided by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for the purpose of submitting an application to the Social Security Administration to obtain the low income subsidy benefit provided under Public Law 108-173, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. As the authorized representative for this purpose, the commissioner, or the commissioner’s designee, may also sign required forms and enroll the applicant or recipient in a Medicare Part D plan on the applicant’s or recipient’s behalf. The applicant or recipient shall have the opportunity to select a Medicare Part D plan and shall be notified of such opportunity by the commissioner. In the event that such applicant or recipient does not select a Medicare Part D plan within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the commissioner, the department shall enroll the applicant or recipient in a Medicare Part D plan designated by the commissioner in accordance with said act. The applicant or recipient shall appoint the commissioner, or the commissioner’s designee, as such applicant’s or recipient’s authorized representative for the purpose of appealing any denial of Medicare Part D benefits and for any other purpose allowed under said act and deemed necessary by the commissioner.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 4a-12, the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, after consultation with the Commissioner of Administrative Services, may (1) bill or enter into a contract with a private entity to bill for prescriptions under the Medicare Part D program, and (2) enter into agreements and other contractual arrangements, including negotiated reimbursement rates for Medicare Part D plans, for the support of persons aided, cared for or treated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.