11.__Medical management.__The board shall establish and administer appropriate medical and utilization management programs that ensure the delivery of cost-effective, high- quality services.__These programs include, but are not limited to, the identification of clinical centers of excellence.__ Health plans and self-insured employers shall advise the plan of persons with medical conditions that are likely to reach deductible levels and shall cooperate with the medical management protocols established under this subsection.

12.__Coordination with bureau.__The board shall coordinate with the bureau to develop an operation plan to implement this chapter.

13.__Planning activities.__The board shall prepare a comprehensive plan for implementation of this chapter.__ Organizational, operational and financing arrangements include, but are not limited to: specifying eligibility criteria, establishing benefit coverage levels, establishing single and family deductible amounts, tiers and lifetime maximums, establishing levels and procedures related to a lifetime maximum, calculating community-rated premium levels, establishing a reasonable cost structure consistent with current, average reimbursement levels, describing premium collection and claims processing arrangements, identifying and complying with or modifying insurance requirements, ensuring that reduced bad debt and charity expenses are recognized and establishing medical management and payment adjustment programs.__The board shall submit its comprehensive plan to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31, 2004.

14.__Availability of coverage.__The plan shall begin offering coverage on July 1, 2005.

Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

Maine Catastrophic Health Protection Plan