An Act To Increase the Number of Suboxone Prescribers

Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §2594-E, sub-§5, ¶D,  as enacted by PL 2015, c. 242, §3, is amended to read:

Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §2594-E, sub-§6  is enacted to read:

Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §2600-D  is enacted to read:

§ 2600-D.  Waiver application for buprenorphine

An individual licensed under this chapter whose scope of practice includes prescribing opioid medication shall obtain a physician waiver from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration for the purpose of treating opioid dependency with buprenorphine products.

Sec. 4. 32 MRSA §3270-E, sub-§5, ¶D,  as enacted by PL 2015, c. 242, §5, is amended to read:

Sec. 5. 32 MRSA §3270-E, sub-§6  is enacted to read:

Sec. 6. 32 MRSA §3300-G  is enacted to read:

§ 3300-G.  Waiver application for buprenorphine

An individual licensed under this chapter whose scope of practice includes prescribing opioid medication shall obtain a physician waiver from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration for the purpose of treating opioid dependency with buprenorphine products.

Sec. 7. MaineCare reimbursement rates for buprenorphine-medication-assisted treatment of substance use disorder. The Department of Health and Human Services shall increase reimbursement rates under the MaineCare program for buprenorphine-medication-assisted treatment, including prescriptions and accompanying behavioral health services, such as case management, counseling and drug testing, by 30% no later than January 1, 2018.

summary

This bill requires osteopathic and allopathic physicians whose scope of practice includes prescribing opioid medication to obtain a physician waiver from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration to treat opioid dependency using buprenorphine products. It also requires physician assistants whose scope of practice includes prescribing opioid medication to apply for a waiver as long as they are authorized under federal law. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to increase reimbursement rates under the MaineCare program for buprenorphine-medication-assisted treatment including prescriptions and accompanying services by 30% no later than January 1, 2018.