Oct 10, 2023

As Open Enrollment approaches on November 1, 2023, Maine residents can get an early look at 2024 health insurance options that meet their needs and budgets

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) announced today that Maine people can now visit CoverME.gov to preview quality health plans for 2024 in advance of Open Enrollment, which begins on November 1, 2023.

• Read more about Maine People Can Now Preview 2024 Health Plans on CoverME.gov

• Read more about Section 1915(c) Waiver Appendix K Updates​

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) declared a national public health emergency (PHE) and relaxed certain requirements ensuring the health and safety and continued access to healthcare services for Medicaid members.

• Read more about Maine CDC Announces Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Portland Restaurant

AUGUSTA — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified a case of hepatitis A in a Portland food service worker. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. It can spread through person-to-person contact or by consuming contaminated food or water.

The individual worked during their infectious period at Green Elephant Bistro, 608 Congress St., Portland on the following dates:

• Read more about Rate Determination Initiation Notice for Section 25, Dental Service Providers: Rebasing of Dental Benchmarks 

This bulletin provides notice that the Department has initiated a Rate Determination Process* for Section 25, Dental Services. MaineCare’s Rate Setting Unit will be conducting this rate determination. Rates are being rebased, pursuant to P.L. 2021, Ch. 639 which requires that services that are benchmarked to a non-Medicare source be updated to the most current year of data for the payer source at least once every two years.     

• Read more about Attention MaineCare Section 67, Nursing Facilities (NFs):  Extraordinary Circumstance Allowance (ECA) Application Guidance and Submission Deadline October 27, 2023 

As authorized by P.L. 2023, Ch. 412, Part NNNNN, the Department will reimburse NFs who qualify for an ECA. These payments will be dispersed in State Fiscal Year 2024.      

• Read more about MaineCare Rate Reform Expert Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) Consultation on Draft CY2024 Rate Determination Schedule: Presented Materials and Proposed Schedule

On October 4, 2023, MaineCare held its Annual Draft Rate Determination Schedule Consultation with the TAP which was open to the public. See the recording of the presentation to the TAP, along with the presented

• Read more about Attention MaineCare Providers: Processing Delays for Enrollment and Revalidation

MaineCare is experiencing a high volume of enrollment cases and Gainwell Technologies is experiencing staffing shortages. These challenges cause provider enrollment and revalidation cases to take longer to process than normal, some taking over 60 days to complete. We understand that these challenges may impact your day-to-day operations. 

• Read more about Rate Determination Initiation Notice for a New Service Model Under Review for Future Proposal as MaineCare Benefits Manual (MBM), Section TBD: Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Team Services

This bulletin provides notice that the Department has initiated a rate determination process* for a new service model under review for future proposal as MBM, Section TBD: Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Team Services. The Office of MaineCare Services will conduct this rate determination with data and cost analytics support from the National Academy for State Health Policy’s (NASHP’s) Institute to Improve Care for People with Serious Illness.

Oct 10, 2023

Today, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced that Ian Yaffe will become the new Director of the Office for Family Independence (OFI) and current OFI Director Tony Pelotte will become a Senior Advisor for Eligibility System Reform in the Commissioner’s Office effective October 30, 2023. These changes will expand capacity and increase the Department’s ability to respond to Maine’s changing demographics, economy, and policies.

• Read more about DHHS Announces New Director of the Office for Family Independence

• Read more about Family Provider Service Option

*As of July 26, 2024, FPSOs are no longer required to register in Maine.

Please see letter for explanation here.