Pennsylvania Act 2011-121 — PUBLIC WELFARE CODE - MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING METHADONE TREATMENT

Act text

Session of 2011

No. 2011-121

SB 638

AN ACT

Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public welfare laws of the Commonwealth," in public assistance, further providing for definitions; and, in public assistance, providing for mileage reimbursement for individuals receiving methadone treatment.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 402 of the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, is amended by adding definitions to read:

Section 402. Definitions.--As used in this article, unless the content clearly indicates otherwise:

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"Medical assistance transportation program" means the program funded in part by the Department of Public Welfare that provides transportation to medical services for medical assistance patients who have no other transportation available to them.

"Methadone" means a synthetic opioid agonist which binds with opioid receptors in the brain to initiate drug actions that mimic the effects of opiates.

"Mileage reimbursement" means the reimbursement provided to an individual who uses a personal vehicle in order for the individual to receive methadone treatment at a licensed provider of service.

"Narcotic treatment program" means a program for chronic drug users that either administers or dispenses agents under a narcotic treatment physician's order for detoxification or maintenance purposes or provides a comprehensive range of medical and rehabilitative services to alleviate adverse medical, psychological or physical effects incident to an addiction to narcotics, or both.

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"Paratransit service" means any personal transportation service operating on a nonfixed route basis, excluding mileage reimbursement or volunteer-driven rides.

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Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read:

Section 443.11. Mileage Reimbursement and Paratransit Services for Individuals Receiving Methadone Treatment.--(a) An individual receiving methadone treatment by a licensed provider, pursuant to a narcotic treatment program, shall be eligible for the following:

(1) mileage reimbursement equal to the distance from the individual's residence to the treatment program closest to the individual's residence; or

(2) paratransit services if the treatment is received at the treatment program closest to the individual's residence based on a one-way trip calculation.

(b) The department shall develop an exceptions process based on medical emergency, physical health, safety issues and availability of closest provider.

(c) County medical assistance transportation programs in consultation with the department shall develop procedures for the prevention, detection and reporting of suspected fraud and abuse relating to the reimbursement of mileage for methadone treatment.

(d) The department shall issue biennial reports to the General Assembly and the Governor detailing costs and cost savings related to implementing the provisions of this section. The first biennial report shall be issued not later than one year from the effective date of this section.

Section 3. This act shall take effect in 30 days.

APPROVED--The 22nd day of December, A.D. 2011.

TOM CORBETT