Whereas, streamlining of the MaineCare payment system is necessary to the efficient operation of providers of MaineCare services, particularly during the time of transition in the MaineCare Case Management System payment system; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §14, sub-§4 is enacted to read:

4.__Relationship with health carriers.__The department shall adopt procedures for handling MaineCare claims when services are provided for a MaineCare member and the provider has reason to believe that no health insurance carrier is responsible for the claim.__Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, procedures adopted pursuant to this subsection must allow providers of health care under the MaineCare program to bill directly to the MaineCare program and to use the same billing codes as commercial health insurance carriers whenever possible.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt procedures for handling a MaineCare claim when the provider has reason to believe that no health insurance carrier is responsible for the claim. The procedures must allow providers of health care to bill directly to the MaineCare program and to use the same billing codes as commercial health insurance carriers whenever possible.