Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3174-GG is enacted to read:

§3174-GG.__Payment restriction

Beginning January 1, 2006, the department may not reimburse a provider of health care services under the MaineCare program unless the provider is a business or sole proprietorship based in the State.__The restriction imposed by this section does not apply if the department has made a determination that obtaining the necessary health care service from a Maine-based business or sole proprietorship is not practical.

SUMMARY

This bill provides that, beginning January 1, 2006, the Department of Health and Human Services may not reimburse a provider of MaineCare health care services unless the provider is a business or sole proprietorship based in the State. The bill provides an exception to this restriction if obtaining the necessary health care service from a Maine-based business or sole proprietorship is not practical.