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Resolve, Implementing the Recommendations of the Commission To Study Primary Care Medical Practice
Sec. 1 Patient-centered medical home. Resolved: That the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance and the Department of Health and Human Services shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by January 15, 2009 on activities for implementing a multipayor patient-centered medical home pilot project. The report shall include specific recommendations for the application of the medical home concept to the MaineCare program and any legislation necessary for implementation. The pilot project must include specific standards for quality, access and integration as well as standards for appropriate reimbursement for medical home physicians; and be it further
Sec. 2 Physician fee schedule. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by January 15, 2009 on activities for implementing a single physician fee schedule for the MaineCare program. The report shall include specific recommendations for adequate reimbursement for physicians who serve as a patient's medical home under the patient-centered medical home model; and be it further
Sec. 3 Streamline MaineCare procedures for cost-effective prescribers. Resolved: That the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by January 15, 2009 on activities for implementing processes similar to those that are in place for specialists that will exempt primary care physicians and other practitioners who demonstrate a history of cost-effective prescribing that meets the needs of patients from certain preauthorization requirements; and be it further
Sec. 4 Provide flexibility in dispensing prescribed medications. Resolved: That the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance, the Maine Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by January 15, 2009 on the feasibility of adopting flexible pharmacy dispensing standards. The report must assess the prospect of allowing a pharmacist to dispense prescribed medication in a dosage that varies from the prescription but is equivalent to the overall dosage prescribed. The report must include an analysis of the impact on patient medication compliance and costs to the health care system and MaineCare as well as other unintended consequences.