An Act To Provide Adequate Reimbursement under MaineCare for Ambulance and Neonatal Transport Services

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3174-JJ,  as amended by PL 2013, c. 441, §1, is further amended to read:

§ 3174-JJ. MaineCare reimbursement for ambulance services

The department shall reimburse for ambulance services under MaineCare at a level that is not less than the average allowable reimbursement rate under Medicare for such services or at the highest percent of that level that is possible within resources appropriated for those purposes. Beginning March 1, 2015, the department shall reimburse for ambulance services under MaineCare at a level that is not less than 65% of the average allowable reimbursement rate under Medicare for such services. Beginning September 1, 2019, the department shall reimburse for ambulance services under MaineCare at a level that is not less than the average allowable reimbursement rate under Medicare for such services and shall reimburse for neonatal transport services under MaineCare at the average rate for critical care transport services under Medicare.

SUMMARY

This bill specifies that beginning September 1, 2019 the reimbursement rate for ambulance services under the MaineCare program may not be less than the average allowable reimbursement rate under Medicare and reimbursement for neonatal transport services under MaineCare must be at the average rate for critical care transport services under Medicare.