Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Amend MaineCare Rules as They Pertain to the Delivery of Covered Services via Telecommunications Technology
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1596
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: McELWEE, JACKSON, FREDETTE, MAKER, MASTRACCIO, POULIOT, SANBORN, WILLETTE, BURNS, CRAVEN

Legislative Document 
No. 1596 
H.P. 1167 
House of Representatives, December 30, 2013 
Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services 
To Amend MaineCare Rules as They Pertain to the Delivery of 
Covered Services via Telecommunications Technology 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Received by the Clerk of the House on December 23, 2013.  Referred to the Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 401. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative McELWEE of Caribou. 
Cosponsored by Senator JACKSON of Aroostook and 
Representatives: FREDETTE of Newport, MAKER of Calais, MASTRACCIO of Sanford, 
POULIOT of Augusta, SANBORN of Gorham, WILLETTE of Mapleton, Senators: BURNS 
of Washington, CRAVEN of Androscoggin. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, registered nurses and behavioral health specialists provide covered 
services via telecommunications technology to patients who are covered by MaineCare; 
and 
Whereas, registered nurses and behavioral health specialists are not reimbursed by 
MaineCare for any covered services provided via telecommunications technology; and 
Whereas, medical doctors, physician assistants and family nurse practitioners are 
reimbursed by MaineCare for covered services provided via telecommunications 
technology; and 
Whereas, requiring MaineCare reimbursement for covered services provided via 
telecommunications technology by registered nurses and behavioral health specialists will 
increase access to health care services for patients and lower the costs of delivering health 
care; and 
Whereas, providing for this legislation to take effect upon approval will contribute 
to expanding access to, and lowering the costs of delivering, health care as soon as 
possible; 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.  Reimbursement.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human 
Services shall amend MaineCare rules to include registered nurses and behavioral health 
specialists as providers that may be reimbursed for providing covered services via 
telecommunications technology to MaineCare patients.  Rules adopted pursuant to this 
resolve are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services to amend 
MaineCare rules to allow registered nurses and behavioral health specialists to be 
reimbursed for providing covered services via telecommunications technology as are 
medical doctors, physician assistants and family nurse practitioners.