128th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 185 LR 421(03)
An Act To Establish a Pilot Project for Medicaid Reimbursement for Acupuncture Treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders
Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with:
C "A" (H-192)
Committee: Health and Human Services
             
Fiscal Note
Change in Treatment Requires Cost Neutrality
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to apply by January 1, 2018 for authorization from the United States DHHS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to develop a pilot project to treat alcohol abuse disorders, substance abuse disorders and co-occurring disorders using the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association auricular acupuncture protocol. The project may last no longer than 2 years and must be reimbursable as allowed under the federal Medicaid system. It is also required that the pilot project be cost neutral or result in savings. To achieve cost neutrality the pilot project would serve individuals who would have been served by treatment methods other than acupuncture and not increase the total number of individuals provided treatment.