Resolve, To Enhance Access to Medication Management for Individuals with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1147
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: MADIGAN, BRENNAN, MEYER, STOVER, WARREN, CLAXTON

Legislative Document
No. 1147
H.P. 825
House of Representatives, March 22, 2021
Resolve, To Enhance Access to Medication Management for 
Individuals with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Clerk of the House on March 18, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative MADIGAN of Waterville.
Cosponsored by Representatives: BRENNAN of Portland, MEYER of Eliot, STOVER of 
Boothbay, WARREN of Hallowell, Senator: CLAXTON 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, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day 
period because MaineCare reimbursement rates for providing medication management 
services are stagnant and are insufficient to enable some providers to continue to provide 
services; and
Whereas, the parameters and requirements for medication management must be 
reformed immediately in order to reflect the increased complexity of the demand and to 
sustain the availability and effectiveness of these services by providing resources and 
adjusting criteria; 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 increase MaineCare 
reimbursement for adults with serious mental illness.  Resolved:  That the 
Department of Health and Human Services shall amend its rule Chapter 101:  MaineCare 
Benefits Manual, Chapters II and III, Section 65, Behavioral Health Services, to increase 
reimbursement rates for medication management services by 25% and to respond to the 
increased demand and complexity of the need for medication management services and 
make the following changes: 
1.  Provide for new rates consistent with the 25% rate increase and for subsequent 
adjustments to ensure that adequate resources continue to be available;
2.  With stakeholder input, develop a per member, per month reimbursement rate 
method that covers the cost for all services provided; and
3.  With stakeholder input, create 3 levels of care and reimbursement to meet the 
diverse needs of those receiving these services:
A.  Level 3:  An enhanced rate for any client involved in a progressive treatment plan, 
or recently released from inpatient psychiatric treatment, or forensic services at a state-
run hospital;
B.  Level 2:  A standard rate for care that accounts for regular monitoring and updating 
as needed to achieve stabilization; and
C.  Level 1:  A lower maintenance rate for those that have achieved a very stable, 
consistent response and adherence to their regimen.
Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in the 
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  Resolved:  That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Medical Care – Payments to Providers 0147
Initiative:  Provides funding for an increase to certain rates under Department of Health 
and Human Services rule Chapter 101:  MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapters II and III, 
Section 65, Behavioral Health Services, by 25%.
GENERAL FUND
2021-22
2022-23
All Other
$1,500,000
$1,500,000
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$1,500,000
$1,500,000
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND
2021-22
2022-23
All Other
$2,700,000
$2,700,000
__________
__________
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL
$2,700,000
$2,700,000
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve provides for a 25% rate increase for the medication management services 
provided under Department of Health and Human Services rule Chapter 101:  MaineCare 
Benefits Manual, Chapters II and III, Section 65, Behavioral Health Services, and requires 
the department to amend its rules governing medication management services to respond 
to the increased demand and complexity of the need.
The resolve also includes an appropriations and allocations section to reflect the cost 
of these changes.