• Read more about Maine CDC Warns of Increase in Rabid Animal Cases

Urges precautions to avoid rabies

AUGUSTA — Following a rise in animals testing positive for rabies in the state since the start of this year, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) urges Maine people and visitors to take steps to prevent rabies.

Between January and May of 2023, the Maine CDC confirmed 30 cases of rabies in raccoons, skunks, bats, a fox, and a woodchuck. Cumberland County recorded 12 of the 30 cases. Rabies activity was significantly lower in 2022, with a total of 35 cases for the year.

• Read more about Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Trainings and Forums

The federal deadline to implement the EVV requirements for Home Health providers delivering services under Section 40 and Hospice providers delivering services under Section 43 happened January 1, 2023.  

We continue to offer weekly provider and aggregator trainings and forums. All trainings and forums are online via Microsoft Teams. 

• Read more about Materials for MaineCare Communications Toolkits

The materials on this page were developed by the Office of MaineCare Services for anyone who wishes to give out information about the recent MaineCare coverage expansion to:

• Read more about Maine DHHS Reopens Lewiston District Office

Office at 200 Main Street resumed normal operations on June 1 following February cold weather damage

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced today that its district office located at 200 Main St. in Lewiston reopened and resumed normal operations on June 1, 2023. DHHS closed the office in February to allow for repair of significant water and electrical damage resulting from extreme cold weather.

• Read more about ​​MaineCare Issuing First Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Supplemental Payments​

MaineCare recently implemented its new VBP supplemental sub-pool payments, totaling $600,000, which the Department will distribute each year to eligible hospitals based on performance on one or more quality measures. This sub-pool helps align incentives across the health care system to drive desired outcomes. The 2022 and 2023 distribution of these funds will focus on primary care access among MaineCare members within designated Hospital Service Areas (HSAs).  

• Read more about Assessment and Access to Lethal Means Counseling Webinar, Maine Pediatric and Behavioral Health Partnership

June 14, 2023, 7:30-8:30 AM  

Via Zoom Webinar  

Please Register HERE  

• Read more about Attention Providers: Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) Online Portal Training

Kepro, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services, invites you to participate in an upcoming training opportunity for the Ages & Stages Questionnaire® (ASQ) online portal. ASQ was introduced by the State to increase developmental screening rates to connect young children under age 5 with needed health and educational services.

• Read more about ​Attention Section 25 Providers: Learn How to Bill for Interpreter Services

On Monday, June 5, 2023, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM, MaineCare will host a public forum for Section 25, Dental Services providers to learn how to bill for interpreter services and comply with relevant requirements. 

Zoom Meeting link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/88509241238  

Jun 6, 2023

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) has made six additional awards in its second round of Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Innovation Pilot Grants to support projects that promote greater independence and community participation among individuals with disabilities. 

• Read more about DHHS Awards Second Round of Grants for Innovative Projects Supporting People with Disabilities

• Read more about 10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 332; MaineCare Eligibility Manual, Chart 4.3, Rule #302 - Penalty Divisor Rule

The adopted rule updates the average nursing care private rate, listed in Chart 4.3 of the MaineCare Eligibility Manual, to the most current figure available from the Department's internal audit team. Effective Jun 1, 2023, the average nursing care private rate is determined from rates reported by nursing facilities on the MaineCare Cost Report.