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An Act To Increase MaineCare Reimbursement for Speech and Language Therapists and Provide Treatment for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3174-FF, sub-§3, ¶A-1  is enacted to read:
 
A-1.  A member is eligible for speech therapy benefits if the member is an adult and has developmental disabilities and has been assessed to have rehabilitation potential and has been documented by a physician to have experienced a significant decline in ability to communicate orally, safely swallow or masticate. Speech therapy benefits must cover one initial evaluation of the member with developmental disabilities 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.
Sec. 2. Reimbursement increase. The Department of Health and Human Services shall increase the reimbursement rate of speech and language therapists used by the MaineCare program by 5%.
 
SUMMARY
This bill allows members of MaineCare who are adults with developmental disabilities to receive an initial speech and language therapy evaluation and at least 2 reevaluations per year and be provided with coverage for outpatient therapy. It also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to increase the rate of reimbursement for speech and language therapists used by the MaineCare program by 5%.