An Act Regarding Reimbursement for Speech and Language Pathology Services
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0687
Committee Amendment CA_A_H382 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT «A " to H.P. 478, L.D. 687, Bill, "An Act 
Regarding Reimbursement for Speech and Language Pathology Services" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Regarding Reimbursement for Speech and Language Pathology Services' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 
Department of Health and Human Services to increase 
MaineCare reimbursement rates. Resolved: That, no later than January 1, 2018, 
the Department of Health and Human Services shall amend its rules in Chapter 101: 
MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 109 to increase reimbursement rates for 
speech-language pathology services provided by an agency to no less than 69% of the 
federal Medicare reimbursement rate for these services as long as the rate is no lower 
than the rate reimbursed as of January 1, 2017; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Independent rates. Resolved: That, no later than January 1, 2018, the 
Department of Health and Human Services shall amend its rules in Chapter 101: 
MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 109 to increase reimbursement rates for 
speech-language pathology services provided by an independent speech-language 
pathologist to 90% of the agency rate established in section 1 as long as the rate is no 
lower than the rate reimbursed as of January 1, 2017; and be it further 
Sec. 3. 
Speech-language pathology assistant agency rates. 
Resolved: 
That, no later than J anumy 1, 2018, the Department of Health and Human Services shall 
amend its rules in Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 109 to 
reimburse services provided by an agency speech-language pathology assistant for 
treatment within a group of 2 or mote individuals at 69% of the federal Medicare 
reimbursement rate for the same service provided by a speech-language pathologist; and 
be it further 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITIEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 478, L.D. 687 
Sec. 4. Speech-language pathology assistant independent rates. Resolved: 
That, no later than January 1, 2018, the Department of Health and Human Services shall 
amend its rules in Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 109 to 
reimburse services provided by an independent speech-language pathology assistant for 
treatment within a group of 2 or more individuals at 90% of the agency rate established in 
section 3 as long as the rate is no lower than the rate reimbursed as of January 1, 2017. 
Services provided by independent speech-language pathology assistants for individual 
treatment must be reimbursed at 90% of the agency rate reimbursed as of January 1, 
2017; and be it further 
Sec. 5. Routine technical rules. Resolved: That rules adopted pursuant to this 
resolve are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A; and be it further 
Sec. 6. 
Appropriations and allocations. 
Resolved: 
That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS) 
Medical Care - Payments to Providers 0147 
Initiative: Provides appropriations and allocations for increased reimbursement of ce1tain 
speech and language pathology services currently provided under Chapter 101: 
MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 109, Speech and Hearing Services. 
GENERAL FUND 
All Other 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND 
All Other 
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOT AL 
SUMMARY 
2017-18 
$182,457 
$182,457 
2017-18 
$329,345 
$329,345 
2018-19 
$182,509 
$182,509 
2018-19 
$329,294 
$329,294 
This amendment, which is the majority report of the committee, replaces the bill with 
a resolve. 
The amendment sets the reimbursement rates for speech and language 
pathology services provided by an agency under Department of Health and Human 
Services rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 109 at 69% 
of the federal Medicare rate as long as the reimbursement rate is no lower than the current 
rate. It establishes that services provided by independent speech-language pathologists 
are set at 90% of the reimbursement rate for agencies. The amendment also establishes 
reimbursement rates for agency speech-language pathology assistants for group therapy at 
69% of the federal Medicare rate for equivalent services for speech-language pathologists 
since there is no established Medicare rate for assistants. Rates for agency assistants 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to H.P. 478, L.D. 687 
providing individual therapy do not change from the rate reimbursed as of January 1, 
2017. Independent speech-language pathology assistant reimbursement rates are set at 
90% of the agency rates for assistants. The amendment also adds an appropriations and 
allocations section. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/28/17 feac. 
LD687 
LR 1156(02) 
An Act Regarding Reimbursement for Speech and Language Pathology Services 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,ft [H' 38d\ 
Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
Appropriations/Allocations 
General Fund 
Federal Expenditures Fund 
Revenue 
Federal Expenditures Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Committee: Health and Human Services 
n 
':) 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
FY2017-18 
$182,457 
$182,457 
$329,345 
$329,345 
FY2018-19 
$182,509 
$182,509 
$329,294 
$329,294 
Projections 
FY 2019-20 
$182,509 
$182,509 
$329,294 
$329,294 
Projections 
FY 2020-21 
$182,509 
$182,509 
$329,294 
$329,294 
The bill includes General Fund appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services of $182,457 in fiscal 
year 2017-18 and $182,5 09 in fiscal year 2018-19 for increased reimbursement of certain speech and language 
pathology services currently provided under Cha,pter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 109, 
Speech and Hearing Services. Federal Expenditures Fund allocations will also be required for the FMAP match. 
LRl 156(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1