Sec. 14. 24-A MRSA §4245 is enacted to read:

§4245.__Equitable health care for alcoholism and drug dependency

treatment

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Outpatient care" means care rendered by a state- licensed, approved or certified detoxification, residential treatment or outpatient program, or partial hospitalization program on a periodic basis, including, but not limited to, patient diagnosis, assessment and treatment, individual, family and group counseling and educational and support services.

B.__"Residential treatment" means services at a facility that provides care 24 hours daily to one or more patients, including, but not limited to: room and board; medical, nursing and dietary services; patient diagnosis, assessment and treatment; individual, family and group counseling; and educational and support services, including a designated unit of a licensed health care facility providing any and all other services specified in this paragraph to patients with the illness of alcoholism or drug dependency.

C.__"Treatment plan" means a written plan initiated at the time of admission, approved by a Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathy or a licensed or registered alcohol and drug abuse counselor employed by a certified or licensed substance abuse program, including, but not limited to, the patient's medical, drug and alcoholism history; record of physical examination; diagnosis; assessment of physical capabilities; mental capacity; orders for medication, diet and special needs for the patient's health or safety and treatment, including medical, psychiatric, psychological, social services, individual, family and group counseling; and educational, support and referral services.

2.__Requirement.__A health maintenance organization that issues individual and group health care contracts to residents of this State shall provide benefits as required in this section to a person covered under those contracts for the treatment of alcoholism and other drug dependency pursuant to a treatment plan.