The information, documents, and links on this webpage are available for historical reference only. The information is current and accurate as of the date listed on the webpage but is not current or accurate now.
COVID-19 Testing, Treatment, and Vaccines for Members
Does MaineCare cover COVID-19 testing?
Yes, MaineCare covers COVID-19 treatment and COVID-19 at-home tests or tests at the pharmacy with no cost to members. For more detail, see the COVID-19 At-Home Tests and Kits (PDF) - April 24, 2023.
Are COVID-19 vaccines covered by MaineCare?
Yes, MaineCare covers COVID-19 vaccines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to schedule an appointment to get a vaccine.
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COVID-19 PHE Historical Information for Members
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End of the Public Health Emergency (PHE)
The federal DHHS declared the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ended on May 11, 2023. Starting May 12, 2023, there were changes to how you accessed health care services as things went back to how they were before the PHE. For more information about what changed back to how it used to be, see the End of the PHE Member Letter (PDF) - April 19, 2023.
We have translated the End of the PHE Member Letter (PDF) into the following languages:
al arabiya) العربية | français | ភាសាខ្មែរ (bhāsā khmɛ̄r) | kiswahili |
中国人 | português | af Soomaali | español/castellano | tiếng việt (㗂越)
COVID-19 Vaccines, Tests, and Treatment
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are covered by MaineCare with no cost to members. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, see the Getting Vaccinated for COVID-19 (PDF) - Updated May 5, 2023.
Transportation to COVID-19 Services
Does MaineCare cover transportation to COVID-19 appointments?
Yes, MaineCare members can get transportation to get a COVID-19 vaccine, booster, test, or treatment. For more information see the Transportation and COVID-19 Questions and Answers (PDF) - Updated July 15, 2022
Coverage for the Uninsured
Does MaineCare cover COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccines for uninsured people?
MaineCare testing, treatment, and vaccine coverage for people who do not have health insurance ended on May 11, 2023 with the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). If your coverage ended, you received a letter, text, or email from the Office for Family Independence. This letter gave you options for health coverage. You can also apply for full MaineCare online through My Maine Connection.
For more information, see the COVID-19 Coverage for Uninsured Individuals (PDF) - April 27, 2023.
Emergency MaineCare
Does MaineCare cover COVID-19 emergency treatment?
After May 11, 2023, MaineCare covers COVID-19 treatment if you have Emergency MaineCare only if your healthcare provider determines that it is necessary as part of treating a medical emergency. Emergency treatment for COVID-19 is covered at no cost.This benefit does not cover vaccines. For more information, see the Emergency MaineCare and COVID-19 Services (PDF) - May 12, 2023.
We have translated the Emergency MaineCare and COVID-19 Services (PDF) into the following languages"
al arabiya) العربية | français | ភាសាខ្មែរ (bhāsā khmɛ̄r) | kiswahili |
中国人 | português | af Soomaali | español/castellano | tiếng việt (㗂越)
Who is eligible for Emergency MaineCare?
Individuals who are not citizens of the United States and do not have documentation with Homeland Security may receive emergency services. For more information about Emergency Services, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document (PDF).
Older Member Information
See the MaineCare Changes to Improve Members' Access to Healthcare Services (PDF) for ways we tried to make sure you receive the services you need during the PHE. - Updated April 24, 2023.
COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Shots for Six Months and Older (PDF) - February 6, 2023
MaineCare members will not be charged for Monoclonal Antibody Treatment if you are eligible for it. For more information about this treatment, see the Monoclonal Treatment for COVID-19 Questions and Answers (PDF) - Updated November 29, 2022
Information about COVID-19 Vaccines Member Letter: Youth Ages Six Months and Older (PDF) - Updated August 4, 2022
MaineCare's Pharmacy Services and Coronavirus: Questions and Answers for Members (PDF). - March 23, 2020
MaineCare's Pharmacy Services and Coronavirus: Questions and Answers for Members (PDF). - March 23, 2020
Other Resources
- Provider COVID-19 PHE Historical Information
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Starting May 12, 2023, some billing flexibilities and how MaineCare members access health care services reverted to how they were administered prior to the declaration of the PHE. The documents and links below are available for historical reference so please be aware of the publication dates.
Provider-specific guidance is also available on the federal CDC's Information for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage.
Covid Testing, Treatment, and Vaccines
- New Codes for Pfizer and Moderna Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines - May 26, 2023
- Discontinued Laboratory Codes Related to COVID-19 - May 26, 2023
- MaineCare Standing Order for COVID-19 At-Home Tests and Collection Kits (PDF) - Updated May 5, 2023
- COVID-19 Vaccination Code Update (PDF) - Updated April 18, 2023
- COVID-19 Coding and Billing Guidance (PDF) - Updated November 28, 2022
- Standing Order for COVID-19 Lab Testing (PDF) - Updated June 29, 2021
General Guidance
- MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter I, Section 5, COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Services Provider Billing Guidance for COVID-19 (PDF) - June 6, 2023
- Update on Verbal Consent in Place of Signitures: End of PHE - May 26, 2023
- Flexibilities Continuing: After the End of PHE (PDF) - May 16, 2023
- End of PHE Copayment Guidance (PDF) - May 11, 2023
- Provider Enrollment Processes Changes: End of PHE (PDF) - May 5, 2023
- Provider Guidance for Uninsured Individuals (PDF) - Updated April 27, 2023
- General Information for Providers Regarding the End of the PHE (PDF) - April 25, 2023
- Alternate Settings Guidance (PDF) - Updated May 12, 2022
- 1135 Waiver: Prior Authorization Flexibility (PDF) - Updated January 28, 2021
- MaineCare and DOE Back to School Guidance (PDF) - September 1, 2020
- Verbal Consent Update (PDF) - July 14, 2020
- Provider Relief Fund Tip Sheet (PDF) - July 16, 2020
- Provider Relief Fund Fact Sheet (PDF) - July 8, 2020
- Guidance for Health Care Providers on Restarting Maine's Economy (PDF) - April 30, 2020
- Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) and COVID-19 Related Impacts (PDF) - April 17, 2020
Federal Approvals
- Appendix K Application (PDF) - May 20, 2020
- Appendix K Approval Letter (PDF) - May 20, 2020
- Disaster Relief State Plan Amendment Overview (PDF) - April 27, 2020
- 1135 Waiver Overview (PDF) - April 8, 2020 1135 Waiver Approval Notice
- April 7, 2020 - 1135 Waiver Application (PDF) - April 2, 2020
Behavioral Health
- End of PHE Guidance for Behavioral Health (PDF) - May 16, 2023
- COVID-19 Guidance for Section 97, PNMI Appendix E Providers (PDF) - November 1, 2021
- Guidance for Opioid Treatment Providers and Third Party Poxy Methadone Permission Form - May 21, 2020
- MaineCare Behavioral Health Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) - Updated May 6, 2020
- MaineCare Guidance on Section 65, Home and Community-Based (HCT) Providers (PDF) - March 31, 2020
- MaineCare Guidance on Sections 17, 28, and 65 (PDF) - March 20, 2020
Long Term Care Services and Supports
- Supplemental Payment FAQs for Sections 2, 67, 97 (Appendix C) (PDF) - Updated April 26, 2023
- DHHS Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) FMAP Plan webpage HCBS Recruitment and Retention FAQs (PDF) - Updated February 28, 2022
- Maine CDC Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities (PDF) Maine CDC Letter to Long-Term Care Facilities and Assisted Housing Facilities (PDF) Section 19 and 20 Appendix K Flexibility Guidance.pdf - October 20, 2023
- End of PHE Guidance for Long Term Services and Supports (PDF) - May 16, 2023
- Temporary Rate Increase Update for Congregate Care Facilities (Includes Outbreak Rates) (PDF) - Updated May 1, 2023
- Retainer Payment Guidance and Attestation Form (PDF) - Updated April 24, 2023
- Section 18, 21, and 29 Appendix K End of Flexibility Guidance.pdf - March 14, 2024
Pharmacies
- COVID-19 Update for Pharmacies (PDF) - May 11, 2023
- MaineCare Coverage of COVID-19 Testing at Pharmacies - July 17, 2020
- MaineCare Guidance for Pharmacies and Prescribers (PDF) - March 26, 2020
- MaineCare Notice to Pharmacies: Important Information for MaineCare Members (PDF) - March 17, 2020
Telehealth
- MaineCare Telehealth Codes Update (PDF) - March 25, 2021
- Telehealth Guidance for HCBS Providers - May 28, 2020
- FCC Guidance on COVID-19 Application Process (PDF) - April 17, 2020
- MaineCare Telehealth and COVID-19 Guidance (PDF) - Updated April 16, 2020
- NETRC Telehealth Implementation Toolkit – Maine Edition - April 9, 2020
- NETRC's Provider's Guide (PDF) - Updated April 9, 2020
- CMS Telehealth Video - April 3, 2020
- Telehealth Best Practices for Providers - April 2, 2020
- Telehealth Townhall for Maine Healthcare Providers - March 26, 2020
- CMS Guidance on Telehealth (PDF)- March 12, 2020