Mar 3, 2025

Maine’s DHHS is applying for an 1115 waiver. In this post, we’ll share the basics you need to know about what this waiver is, and why DHHS is applying for it.

What is a Medicaid 1115 waiver?

A Medicaid 1115 waiver is a federal tool that allows states to test new approaches to delivering Medicaid services that would not normally be allowed under federal rules. These waivers allow states to test and measure the effectiveness of new policy approaches.

• Read more about The Department of Health and Human Services Introduces Maine's Whole Person Care Waiver

• Read more about CORRECTION: Home and Community Based Supports (HCBS) Sections 18, 20, 21 and 29, and New Lifespan Waiver: Draft Rate Public Review and Comment

Please be aware our earlier notice contained an error. The forum will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on April 14, 2025. Please see the corrected information below.

Public Review & Comment

• Read more about Attention MaineCare Providers: Status of Temporary MaineCare Payment Holds

On March 5, 2025, the Department shared the plans to temporarily hold certain MaineCare provider payments beginning with the payment cycle that ran on March 12, 2025. On Friday, March 21, 2025, the Legislature passed a budget bill which appropriated funds sufficient to pay MaineCare providers in full through the end of the

• Read more about CORRECTION: Home and Community Based Supports (HCBS) Sections 18, 20, 21 and 29, and New Lifespan Waiver: Draft Rate Public Review and Comment

Our earlier notice contained an error.  

The forum will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on April 14, 2025. 

Please see our original notice to register for this virtual forum. 

• Read more about CORRECTION: Home and Community Based Supports (HCBS) Sections 18, 20, 21 and 29, and New Lifespan Waiver: Draft Rate Public Review and Comment

Our earlier notice contained an error.  

The forum will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on April 14, 2025. 

Please see our original notice to register for this virtual forum. 

• Read more about Home and Community Based Supports (HCBS) Sections 18, 20, 21 and 29, and New Lifespan Waiver: Draft Rate Public Review and Comment

Public Review & Comment

On April 14, 2025, the Department is hosting a public forum with our vendor, Burns and Associates (HMA-Burns), to present the recommended draft rates and rate models in addition to rationale for Sections 18, 20, 21, 29, and the new Lifespan waiver.

Interested parties will have the opportunity to provide public comment. Following the presentation, the draft rates and models will be available online, and HMA-Burns will accept written comments.

• Read more about 10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 301; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Rules; Section 111-7

10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 301; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Rules; Section 111-7

SNAP Rule #238 – ABAWD Update

PRINCIPAL REASON(S) OR PURPOSE FOR PROPOSING THIS RULE: The Department proposes routine technical changes to amend 10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 301; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Program Rules to ensure consistency with 7 C.F.R. § 273.24(c).

• Read more about Attention Primary Care Practices: Primary Care Plus (PCPlus) Program Reorientation Meeting

Please join us on March 28, 2025, for a PCPlus Program Reorientation Meeting on the following topics:

• Structure and goals of the current service model
• Status of the program
• Aims of MaineCare’s upcoming work to evolve and advance the program and its Alternative Payment Model (APM)

Date: March 28, 2025

Time: 12:00 to 1:00 PM

Registration link: Please register prior to the meeting.

• Read more about Treatment Connection

• Read more about Section 90, Physician Services Rate Update, CR 129756

Effective January 1, 2025, MaineCare updated Section 90, Physician Service rates. You may view the updated fee schedule on the rate setting page of the Health PAS Online Portal.