44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO HEALTH; INCLUDING SERVICES OF CHIROPRACTORS IN THE MEDICAID MANAGED CARE SYSTEM.

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

Section 1. Section 27-2-12 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1973, Chapter 376, Section 16, as amended) is amended to read:

"27-2-12. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.--Consistent with the federal act and subject to the appropriation and availability of federal and state funds, the medical assistance division of the [human services] department shall by regulation provide medical assistance, including the services of licensed chiropractors, and may by regulation provide medical assistance, including the services of licensed doctors of oriental medicine [and licensed chiropractors], to persons eligible for public assistance programs under the federal act."

Section 2. Section 27-2-12.3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1987, Chapter 269, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

"27-2-12.3. MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT--EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL PHYSICIANS', CHIROPRACTORS', DENTISTS', OPTOMETRISTS', PODIATRISTS' AND PSYCHOLOGISTS' SERVICES.--The [human services] department shall establish a rate for the reimbursement of physicians, chiropractors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and psychologists for services rendered to medicaid patients that provides equal reimbursement for the same or similar services rendered without respect to the date on which such physician, chiropractor, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist or psychologist entered into practice in New Mexico, the date on which the physician, chiropractor, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist or psychologist entered into an agreement or contract to provide such services or the location in which such services are to be provided in the state; provided, however, that the requirements of this section shall not apply when the [human services] department contracts with entities pursuant to Section 27-2-12.6 NMSA 1978 to negotiate a rate for the reimbursement for services rendered to medicaid patients in the medicaid managed care system."