Date posted:
Attachment(s):
Notice of Agency Rulemaking Proposal
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, MaineCare Services
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 101, MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 66, Crisis Services
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER:
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking establishes 10-144 C.M.R. ch. 101, MaineCare Benefits Manual (the “MBM”) Chapter II, Section 66, Crisis Services. This proposed rule covers three distinct crisis services: Crisis Residential, Mobile Crisis Intervention Response, and Site-Based Crisis Stabilization. Crisis Residential and Site-Based Crisis Stabilization are removed from Ch. II, Sec. 65 and substantially enhanced for inclusion in a single section of policy consisting of all three crisis-specific services. In a provision of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, 42 U.S.C. § 1396w-6, Congress authorized states to waive certain Medicaid requirements, and established enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for this service, during a five-year period that will expire on March 31, 2027. The Department anticipates that State Plan authorization for this service will continue after March 31, 2027, pursuant to § 1905(a)(13) of the Medicaid Act (Title XIX of the Social Security Act) (42 U.S.C. § 1396d(a)(13)). The Department proposes to update descriptions of covered services and make other changes in part to assure compliance with the state of Maine’s settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The proposed rule and accompanying Fact Sheet detailing these and other changes may be viewed in their entirety at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oms/rules/index.shtml.
PUBLIC HEARING: The Department will hold a combined in-person and remote (via Zoom) public hearing.
Date and time: Monday, December 22nd, 2025, at 2:00 PM
Location: State Office Building, Conference Rooms Maine A and Maine B, 109 Capitol Street, Augusta, ME 04330
Zoom Meeting link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/83682948117
Meeting ID: 836 8294 8117
Some devices may require downloading a free app from Zoom prior to joining the public hearing event. The Department requests that any individual requiring special arrangements to attend the hearing in person contact the agency person listed below 5 days in advance of the hearing.
In addition to the public hearing, individuals may submit written comments to DHHS by the date listed in this notice.
COMMENT DEADLINE: Comments must be received by 11:59 PM on Thursday, January 1st, 2026
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Steven Fritzsche, Comprehensive Health Planner II
109 Capitol Street, 11 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0011
(207) 624-4031
FAX: (207) 287-1864
TTY users call Maine relay 711
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT:
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: The Department anticipates that this rulemaking will not have any impact on municipalities or counties.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: Title XIX of the Social Security Act § 1947; P.L. 2023, ch. 643; 22 M.R.S. §§ 42, 3173, 3173-J
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED: same as above
Proposed
Office: MaineCare Services
Routine technical
Email: Steven.Fritzsche@maine.gov
Comment deadline:
Off