UNIT RATE REIMBURSEMENT.

(a) In this section, "unit rate reimbursement" means reimbursement for a service paid at a specified rate for a unit of the service provided to a client multiplied by the number of units provided.

(b) The department shall study the procurement of and payment for chemical dependency treatment services on a unit rate reimbursement basis.

(c) If the department determines, after consideration of the study, that procurement of and payment for chemical dependency treatment services on a unit rate reimbursement basis in appropriate areas of the state would result in obtaining the highest quality treatment services at the best price and the lowest administrative cost to the department, the department shall adopt a unit rate reimbursement system for those services. The system must:

(1) include competitive procurement;

(2) monitor provider performance;

(3) monitor the reasonableness of provider costs and expenditures;

(4) verify provider costs before and after a contract term to ensure rates are set appropriately;

(5) ensure accountability of providers; and

(6) contain costs.

(d) The department may procure and pay for chemical dependency prevention and intervention services under a unit rate reimbursement system when the department determines it is appropriate.