Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Increase MaineCare Reimbursement Rates for Targeted Case Management Services To Reflect Inflation

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  due to extensive waiting lists for both children's services and adult services, targeted case management services are necessary to meet the essential health needs of people with disabilities; and

Whereas,  for more than 250 families on the waiting list for Section 29 services, targeted case management services are the only connection to essential support; and

Whereas,  the reimbursement rate for targeted case management services has not been adjusted since 2009 despite rising costs of wages, health insurance, technology and travel and other costs; and

Whereas,  case managers' duties and mandates have increased over the past decade including required activities that are unreimbursed; and

Whereas,  the State discontinued its own case management services in 2017 and increased the case load for targeted case management services delivered by community providers by more than 1,200 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and

Whereas,  without an immediate increase in reimbursement to offset a decade of inflation, providers will be unable to maintain the capacity needed to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have access to targeted case management services; and

Whereas,  it is therefore essential that the Department of Health and Human Services amend its reimbursement rules to increase rates for targeted case management services no later than April 1, 2020; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Department of Health and Human Services to amend rules. Resolved: That, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no later than April 1, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services shall amend its rules in Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 13, Targeted Case Management Services to increase reimbursement rates for targeted case management services by a percentage equivalent to the cumulative increase in costs measured by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index medical care services index in each year from 2010 to 2019.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services to amend its rules governing MaineCare reimbursement for targeted case management services to provide an increase reflecting cost increases from 2010 to 2019.