H.P. 286 - L.D. 350
Resolve, to Establish a Task Force to Study the Feasibility of a Single Claims Processing System for 3rd-party Payors of Health Care Benefits
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, in current practice, 3rd-party payors of health care benefits use multiple claims processing systems; and
Whereas, other jurisdictions have begun exploring the feasibility of implementing a single claims processing system for all 3rd-party payors and are also exploring ways to streamline claims processing; and
Whereas, it is necessary to begin the study of the feasibility of a single claims processing system or a more streamlined system for 3rd-party payors of health care benefits in this State; and
Whereas, the members of the task force established by this resolve must be appointed prior to the expiration of the 90-day period; 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. Task force established. Resolved: That the Task Force to Study the Feasibility of a Single Claims Processing System for 3rd-party Payors of Health Care Benefits, referred to in this resolve as the "task force," is established to study the feasibility of a streamlined claims processing system for 3rd-party payors of health care benefits and to study the feasibility of a single claims processing system for 3rd-party payors of health care benefits; and be it further
Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 15 members appointed as follows:
1. One representative of the Maine Medical Association or the Maine Osteopathic Association appointed by the Governor;
2. One Maine-based representative of the Health Insurance Association of America appointed by the Governor;
3. One representative of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine appointed by the Governor;
4. One representative of the Home Care Alliance of Maine appointed by the Governor;
5. One representative of the interests of independent occupational, physical and speech therapists appointed by the Governor;
6. One representative of the Maine Pharmacy Association appointed by the Governor;
7. One representative of the Maine Hospital Association appointed by the Governor;
8. One representative of the Maine Association of Community Mental Health Centers appointed by the Governor;
9. One representative of the Maine Health Management Coalition appointed by the Governor;
10. The Commissioner of Human Services or the commissioner's designee;
11. The Superintendent of Insurance or the superintendent's designee; and
12. Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate and 2 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. One member of the Senate and one member of the House shall serve as cochairs of the task force; and be it further
Sec. 3. Appointments. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than July 1, 1997. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council must be notified by all appointing authorities once the selections have been made. Within 15 days of appointment of all members, the Chair of the Legislative Council shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force; and be it further
Sec. 4. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall:
1. Gather and examine information from other jurisdictions that have implemented a single claims processing system or have implemented a streamlined claims processing system;
2. Identify barriers and problems that need to be addressed to implement a single claims processing system or to streamline the current claims processing system;
3. Determine resources necessary to implement a single claims processing system or a streamlined system and develop a model for a single claims processing system;
4. Determine the impact on health care providers and health insurance carriers in a single claims processing system or a streamlined system; and
5. Identify the necessary steps for protecting the confidentiality of medical records and proprietary information in a single claims processing system or a streamlined system; and be it further
Sec. 5. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the task force shall request staffing and clerical assistance from the Legislative Council; and be it further
Sec. 6. Reimbursement. Resolved: That the members of the task force are not entitled to any reimbursement or compensation for attendance at meetings of the task force, except that the members of the task force who are Legislators are entitled to receive the legislative per diem and reimbursement for travel expenses for attendance at meetings of the task force. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall administer the task force's budget; and be it further
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That the task force shall submit its report, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 118th Legislature no later than January 1, 1998. If the task force requires an extension, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension; and be it further
Sec. 8. Transfer of funds. Resolved: That the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation shall transfer up to $3,860 from the Bureau of Insurance to the Legislature toward the actual expenses incurred by the task force; and be it further
Sec. 9. Allocation. Resolved: That the following funds are allocated from Other Special Revenue funds to carry out the purposes of this resolve.
1997-98
LEGISLATURE
Task Force to Study the Feasibility of a Single Claims Processing System for 3rd-party Payors of Health Care Benefits
Personal Services $1,760
All Other 2,100
__________
TOTAL $3,860
Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of legislative members and miscellaneous costs of the Task Force to Study the Feasibility of a Single Claims Processing System for 3rd-party Payors of Health Care Benefits.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.
Effective June 12, 1997.
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