SENATE BILL 106

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2012

INTRODUCED BY

Richard C. Martinez

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT TO REQUIRE THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE TO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS COVERAGE FOR METHADONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY TO TREAT OPIOID ADDICTION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public Assistance Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] MEDICAL ASSISTANCE--METHADONE OPIOID REPLACEMENT THERAPY BENEFIT.--

          A. Through its medical assistance programs, the department shall provide recipients for whom an authorized practitioner prescribes methadone replacement therapy with coverage for methadone replacement therapy.

          B. For the purposes of this section:

                (1) "authorized practitioner" means a person who is licensed in a federally accredited methadone maintenance program to prescribe or administer methadone to treat opioid addiction;

                (2) "medical assistance programs" means the joint federal and state programs that provide payment for medically necessary health services furnished to eligible recipients pursuant to Title 19 or 21 of the federal Social Security Act or a federal waiver pursuant to that act; and

                (3) "methadone replacement therapy" means the administration of methadone for the detoxification treatment or maintenance treatment of opioid addiction."

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