Annual 1115 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Waiver Post Award Forum

Jun 23, 2023

In July 2022, the Office of MaineCare Services received federal approval to expand services for MaineCare-enrolled parents with SUD, who are involved with Child Protective Services (CPS), or at risk of being involved with CPS. The expanded services are available through three pilot programs under a Medicaid SUD 1115 Waiver first approved by CMS on December 22, 2020, which allows federal Medicaid reimbursement for SUD treatment in facilities with more than 16 beds. The Implementation Plan to allow MaineCare to begin collecting federal funds for residential treatment facilities that expand their capacity has been in operation since July 2021.  

These pilots are intended to address current gaps in coverage for services fundamental to parents’ successful recovery and relationships with their children, such as home-based skill development, parenting support services, and, as directed by the Legislature, maintenance of MaineCare coverage during the CPS assessment process. With this waiver, Maine is the first state in the nation approved to offer continued Medicaid coverage for members who might otherwise lose access during the CPS process due to changes in household size. Parents who are successfully engaging with the Department through the rehabilitation and reunification process can continue their coverage, supporting them in accessing SUD treatment and other critical medical care.    

For more information regarding MaineCare’s approved waiver, please visit CMS’s State Waiver List for Maine’s Substance Use Disorder Care Initiative.     

For further updates and discussion on this waiver, MaineCare will host a Post Award Forum, where we will review the waiver, provide updates on implementation, and seek public comment. The Post Award Forum details are as follows:     

Date: Monday, July 24, 2023  

Time: 1:00 - 2:30 PM   

Where: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYscO-opjoiGNJrQXLCt3a-4EFR8oZ9G6zT   

  

Please contact SUD Program Manager Allison Weeks with questions.