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An Act To Provide Medically Necessary Speech Therapy Services
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3174-FF, sub-§3, ¶A,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 673, Pt. MMM, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
 
A.   A member is eligible for speech therapy benefits if the member has been assessed to have rehabilitation potential or a demonstrated medical necessity for speech therapy to avoid a significant deterioration in the member's ability to communicate orally, safely swallow or masticate. In order for the member to be eligible for speech therapy benefits, a physician must document that the member has experienced a significant decline in ability to communicate orally, safely swallow or masticate or may reasonably suffer a significant deterioration in these functions if therapy is not provided. Speech therapy benefits must cover one initial evaluation of the member per provider per year and one reevaluation every 6 months per provider. Speech therapy benefits must cover outpatient therapy provided in the home, independent practitioners' offices and speech and hearing clinic sites.
 
SUMMARY
This bill allows the provision of speech therapy benefits under MaineCare Basic for members who without a maintenance level of speech therapy services would experience a significant decline in their ability to communicate orally, safely swallow or masticate.