When therapy is nonreimbursable under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare), the Department of Health and Human Services shall reimburse an intermediate care facility or skilled nursing facility directly for the costs of physical and occupational therapy to individual residents or for professional consultants, or both, to the staff of the facility in accordance with professional standards of practice. [PL 1977, c. 646 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).]

Reimbursement shall be included either as an allowable cost of operation in determining the per diem rate or as a separate service for which the facility bills the Medical Assistance Program, whichever method is the less costly to that program while providing adequate and timely reimbursement to the therapist. [PL 1977, c. 646 (NEW).]

In developing regulations to administer this section, the Department of Health and Human Services shall consult with the Maine Chapter of American Physical Therapists Association, the Maine Occupational Therapists Association and other groups as appropriate. The regulations shall be published within 60 days of the effective date of this section. [PL 1977, c. 646 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).]