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Amend the resolve by striking out all of section 1 and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1 MaineCare reimbursement rates for outpatient opioid treatment. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall amend its rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 65, Behavioral Health Services regarding the reimbursement rate paid to outpatient opioid treatment providers to increase the rate from $60 to $72 a week until December 31, 2017. The reimbursement rate must be reduced to $60 a week beginning January 1, 2018. The department may amend its rules to increase the rates above the reimbursement rates specified in this section at any time. The department shall take all necessary actions to implement the reimbursement increase under this section; and be it further
Sec. 2 Rate study. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall contract with a 3rd-party consultant to conduct a rate study regarding the reimbursement rate paid to outpatient opioid treatment providers under its rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 65, Behavioral Health Services. The rate study must account for provider costs related to outpatient opioid treatment services. The Department of Health and Human Services shall ensure that the 3rd-party consultant conducting the study under this section invites the participation of stakeholders providing outpatient opioid treatment services. The Department of Health and Human Services shall report its progress and findings under this section to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters no later than December 30, 2016. The committee may report out a bill related to the report to the First Regular Session of the 128th Legislature; and be it further
Sec. 3 Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)
 
Medical Care - Payments to Providers 0147
 
Initiative: Provides funding to increase the reimbursement rate paid to outpatient opioid treatment providers from $60 to $72 a week.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$0	$568,471	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$568,471	

FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$0	$1,008,425	
			
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL	$0	$1,008,425	
 
’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment requires the Department of Health and Human Services to amend its rules to increase the reimbursement rate paid to outpatient opioid treatment providers to $72 a week, rather than $80 as provided in the resolve. The amended rule must increase the reimbursement rate to $72 until December 31, 2017. On January 1, 2018, the reimbursement rate must return to $60 a week. The department may choose to amend its rules to increase the reimbursement rates above the specified amounts at any time. The amendment also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with a 3rd-party consultant to conduct a rate study of outpatient opioid treatment services that must be reported to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters no later than December 30, 2016. The committee may report out a bill related to the report to the First Regular Session of the 128th Legislature. If the Legislature does not amend the reimbursement rate in response to the rate study, the reimbursement rate will return to $60 per week on January 1, 2018. The amendment also adds an appropriations and allocations section.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)