An Act To Reduce the Incidence of Obesity and Chronic Disease in the State

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §§3174-BBB and 3174-CCC  are enacted to read:

§ 3174-BBB.  Medical nutritional therapy; rules

The department shall provide for the reimbursement under the MaineCare program for medical nutritional therapy services to treat obesity, unhealthy weight, hypertension, diabetes, prediabetes, disorders of lipid metabolism, HIV infection, unintended weight loss in older adults, chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal conditions, malnutrition and inappropriate eating habits. Medical nutritional therapy services may be provided by physicians licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 36 or 48, dietitians licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 104 or nurse practitioners licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 31 who practice in hospitals, outpatient settings or private offices.

As used in this section, "medical nutritional therapy" means a therapeutic approach to treating medical conditions and their associated symptoms by use of counseling and a specifically tailored diet devised and monitored by a physician licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 36 or 48, a dietitian licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 104 or a nurse practitioner licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 31.

The department shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

§ 3174-CCC.  Prescription drug therapy; rules

The department shall provide for the reimbursement under the MaineCare program for prescription drug therapy services to treat obesity, unhealthy weight, hypertension, diabetes, prediabetes, disorders of lipid metabolism, HIV infection, unintended weight loss in older adults, chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal conditions, malnutrition and inappropriate eating habits. Prescription drug therapy services may be provided by physicians licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 36 or 48 or nurse practitioners licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 31 who practice in hospitals, outpatient settings or private offices.

The department shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

SUMMARY

This bill provides for reimbursement under the MaineCare program for medical nutritional therapy and prescription drug therapy.