An Act Regarding Reimbursement for Speech and Language Pathology Services

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3174-ZZ  is enacted to read:

§ 3174-ZZ.  Speech and language pathology services reimbursement

The department shall provide for reimbursement under the MaineCare program for all speech and language pathology services provided by an independent speech-language practitioner at the rate that is paid to a speech and hearing agency for the same services. For purposes of this section, "speech and hearing agency" means a facility that offers both speech and language pathology services and audiology services by qualified professional staff who are employees of the speech and hearing agency. The department shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 2. MaineCare Benefits Manual. The Department of Health and Human Services shall amend the rules regarding reimbursement for speech and language pathology services under Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 109, Speech and Hearing Services to increase by 10% the rates of reimbursement for all speech and language pathology services.

SUMMARY

This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to provide for reimbursement for all speech and language pathology services provided by an independent speech-language practitioner at the rate that is paid to a speech and hearing agency for the same services. It also directs the department to amend its rules to increase by 10% the rates of reimbursement for all speech and language pathology services.