SENATE BILL 232

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Bernadette M. Sanchez

AN ACT

RELATING TO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE; REQUIRING THAT ANY SUBSTANCE ADDICTION SERVICES THAT THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROVIDES INCLUDE TIMELY OFFICE-BASED ACCESS TO OFFICE-BASED BUPRENORPHINE TREATMENT OF OPIOID ADDICTION; REQUIRING THAT COVERAGE OF OFFICE-BASED BUPRENORPHINE TREATMENT OF OPIOID ADDICTION INCLUDE PROVIDER OFFICE VISITS; REQUIRING THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS AUTHORIZED AND WILLING TO TIMELY ADMINISTER OFFICE-BASED BUPRENORPHINE TREATMENT OF OPIOID ADDICTION; EXEMPTING OFFICE-BASED BUPRENORPHINE TREATMENT OF OPIOID ADDICTION FROM COST-SAVING MEASURES.

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] ACCESS TO OFFICE-BASED BUPRENORPHINE TREATMENT OF OPIOID ADDICTION--COVERAGE OF OFFICE VISITS--EXEMPTION FROM COST-SAVING MEASURES.--

          A. The department shall ensure that recipients of the substance addiction services that it provides shall have timely access to office-based buprenorphine treatment of opioid addiction. In addition to coverage of buprenorphine, this coverage shall include office visits to providers of office-based buprenorphine treatment of opioid addiction.

          B. The department shall ensure that there is a supply of primary care providers statewide who are authorized and willing to administer patients office-based buprenorphine treatment of opioid addiction that is adequate to ensure timely office-based buprenorphine treatment.

          C. The department shall exempt any medication-based therapy related to the treatment of opioid addiction from any cost-saving measures that it implements.

          D. For the purposes of this section, "primary care provider" means a health care practitioner acting within the scope of the health care practitioner's license who provides the first level of basic or general health care for a person's health needs, including diagnostic and treatment services, who initiates referrals to other health care practitioners and who maintains the continuity of care when appropriate."

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