‘Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3174-WW is enacted to read:
§ 3174-WW. Dental hygiene therapy reimbursement
1. Reimbursement. By October 1, 2014, the department shall provide for the reimbursement under the MaineCare program of dental hygiene therapists practicing as authorized under Title 32, chapter 16, subchapter 3-C for the procedures identified in their scope of practice. Reimbursement must be provided to dental hygiene therapists directly or to a federally qualified health center pursuant to section 3174-V when a dental hygiene therapist is employed as a core provider at the center.
2. 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. 24 MRSA §2317-B, sub-§19, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 256, Pt. M, §10, is amended to read:
19. Title 24-A, chapter 67. Medicare supplement insurance policies, Title 24-A, chapter 67; and
Sec. 3. 24 MRSA §2317-B, sub-§20, as amended by PL 2003, c. 428, Pt. G, §1, is further amended to read:
20. Title 24-A, chapters 68 and 68-A. Long-term care insurance, nursing home care insurance and home health care insurance, Title 24-A, chapters 68 and 68-A . ; and
Sec. 4. 24 MRSA §2317-B, sub-§21 is enacted to read:
21. Title 24-A, sections 2765-A and 2847-U. The practice of dental hygiene by a dental hygiene therapist, Title 24-A, sections 2765-A and 2847-U.
Sec. 5. 24-A MRSA §2765-A is enacted to read:
§ 2765-A. Coverage for services provided by dental hygiene therapist
1. Services provided by dental hygiene therapist. An insurer that issues individual dental insurance or health insurance that includes coverage for dental services shall provide coverage for dental services performed by a dental hygiene therapist licensed under Title 32, chapter 16, subchapter 3-C when those services are covered services under the contract and when they are within the lawful scope of practice of the dental hygiene therapist.
2. Limits; coinsurance; deductibles. A contract that provides coverage for the services required by this section may contain provisions for maximum benefits and coinsurance and reasonable limitations, deductibles and exclusions to the extent that these provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements of this section.
3. Coordination of benefits with dental insurance. If an enrollee eligible for coverage under this section is eligible for coverage under a dental insurance policy or contract and a health insurance policy or contract, the insurer providing dental insurance is the primary payer responsible for charges under subsection 1 and the insurer providing individual health insurance is the secondary payer.
4. Application. The requirements of this section apply to all policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State. For purposes of this section, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.
Sec. 6. 24-A MRSA §2847-U is enacted to read:
§ 2847-U. Coverage for services provided by dental hygiene therapist
1. Services provided by dental hygiene therapist. An insurer that issues group dental insurance or health insurance that includes coverage for dental services shall provide coverage for dental services performed by a dental hygiene therapist licensed under Title 32, chapter 16, subchapter 3-C when those services are covered services under the contract and when they are within the lawful scope of practice of the dental hygiene therapist.
2. Limits; coinsurance; deductibles. A contract that provides coverage for the services required by this section may contain provisions for maximum benefits and coinsurance and reasonable limitations, deductibles and exclusions to the extent that these provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements of this section.
3. Coordination of benefits with dental insurance. If an enrollee eligible for coverage under this section is eligible for coverage under a dental insurance policy or contract and a health insurance policy or contract, the insurer providing dental insurance is the primary payer responsible for charges under subsection 1 and the insurer providing group health insurance is the secondary payer.’