An Act To Provide Medically Necessary Speech Therapy Services
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3174-FF, sub-§3, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 673, Pt. MMM, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
A. A member is eligible for speech therapy benefits if the member has been assessed to have rehabilitation potential or a demonstrated medical necessity for speech therapy to avoid a significant deterioration in the member's ability to communicate orally, safely swallow or masticate. In order for the member to be eligible for speech therapy benefits, a physician must document that the member has experienced a significant decline in ability to communicate orally, safely swallow or masticate or may reasonably suffer a significant deterioration in these functions if therapy is not provided. Speech therapy benefits must cover one initial evaluation of the member per provider per year and one reevaluation every 6 months per provider. Speech therapy benefits must cover outpatient therapy provided in the home, independent practitioners' offices and speech and hearing clinic sites.
Effective September 20, 2007