An Act To Ensure That MaineCare Reimbursements to Hospitals Do Not Pay For Hospital Advertisements

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3174-LL  is enacted to read:

§ 3174-LL.  MaineCare hospital reimbursement deduction

By October 1, 2009 the department shall amend the rules for reimbursement to hospitals under the MaineCare program to ensure that reimbursement for inpatient hospital care is reduced by the cost paid by a hospital for advertisements for its inpatient care or treatment that were paid for during the applicable fiscal year that were published in printed form or broadcast through radio or television. The amendment must apply to hospital fiscal years beginning July 1, 2009 or after. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

summary

This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to amend the MaineCare rules for reimbursement to hospitals to deduct from the reimbursement due to a hospital the cost paid by the hospital for advertisements for its inpatient care or treatment that were paid for during the applicable fiscal year. The rules, which must apply to hospital fiscal years beginning July 1, 2009 or after, are routine technical rules.