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An Act To Provide MaineCare Coverage for Music Therapy
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §3174-ZZ  is enacted to read:
§ 3174-ZZ. Music therapy reimbursement
 
1.  Definitions.     As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings.
 
A.  "Music intervention" means, without limitation, music improvisation, receptive music listening with and without imagery, song writing, lyric discussion, singing, music performance, music-assisted education, music-assisted relaxation, music-based patient education, use of electronic music technology and movement to music.
 
B.  "Music therapy" means the clinical and evidence-based application of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals for clients of all ages and ability levels for purposes of assessment and treatment.
 
2.  Reimbursement.     Upon receipt of written approval from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide Medicare and Medicaid coverage for music therapy services, the department shall reimburse under the MaineCare program for all music therapy services provided to a Medicaid recipient or to a Medicare recipient by an individual who holds a current and valid national certification as a music therapist from a national music therapy certification board.
 
3.  Rulemaking.     The department shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 2. Medicare and Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver. The Department of Health and Human Services shall prepare and submit a Medicare and Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver as required to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by October 1, 2017 that provides or requests, as appropriate, Medicare and Medicaid coverage for music therapy services.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires music therapy services to be reimbursed under the MaineCare program upon approval of coverage by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Department of Health and Human Services is directed to adopt routine technical rules to implement this requirement.