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This bulletin provides notice that the Department has initiated a Rate Determination Process* for Community Paramedicine, a new service tentatively planned to be incorporated into Section 5 of the MaineCare Benefits Manual: Ambulance Services. The Office of MaineCare Services will be conducting this rate determination.
As Lyme cases reach record levels, ticks remain active
AUGUSTA – The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) encourages Maine residents and visitors to remain vigilant against tick bites this winter, as the number of Lyme disease cases continues to rise and ticks remain active above freezing temperatures.
The Maine CDC has reported a record number of Lyme disease cases so far in 2023, with 2,706 cases as of December 7, 2023. The Maine CDC has also reported a record five cases of Powassan in 2023.
Effective October 28, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) quarterly updates are complete in MIHMS.
The following CMS documents provide the details of the APC updates:
You are invited to a provider enrollment presentation and listening session where the Office of MaineCare Services (OMS) and Gainwell Technologies will deliver presentations on enrollment and listen to any comments from providers, including ideas for potential solutions to challenges. The objectives of this session include:
Notice of MaineCare Reimbursement Methodology Change
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services
SERVICES INCLUDED: Chapter 101, MaineCare Benefits Manual, Section 67, Nursing Facility Services
NATURE OF PROPOSED CHANGES: The Department plans to submit a State Plan Amendment in the near future identifying the following:
The MaineCare team is working to develop a MaineCare logo that will be used to strengthen our identity when we engage with stakeholders and assist in outreach in our communities.
We want your help! Please take a couple of minutes to complete this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SHXNW2F
Joined by Acting Child and Family Services Director Bobbi Johnson
Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew appeared before the Government Oversight Committee today to provide testimony on the child welfare system. She was joined by Bobbi Johnson, Acting Director of the Office of Child and Family Services.
The remarks of Commissioner Lambrew and Acting Director Johnson, as prepared for delivery, are below.
Commissioner Lambrew:
The proposed rule change would remove the asset test, Section 2.1, effective retroactive to January 1, 2024. The proposed rule change is based on a legislative change to 22 M.R.S. § 254-D(4)(B) made by P.L. 2023, ch. 412, Part EEEEE. This rule change is consistent with a recent MaineCare Eligibility Manual proposed rule change which would remove the asset test for all Medicare Savings Plan coverage types. Retroactive rulemaking is permissible under 22 M.R.S.
Maine exercises an option for Broad Based Categorical Eligibility under 7 C.F.R. § 273.2(j)(2) which includes a 200% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) test.