Jul 7, 2022

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) continually strives to keep the public informed about its work. This includes redesigning the DHHS website, creating and regularly updating a blog, developing and updating data dashboards, and regularly engaging with the press, constituents, stakeholders, the Legislature, and the public. Mostly recently, the Department concluded a comprehensive review that resulted in a set of improvements to responding to Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) requests.  

• Read more about Improving Responsiveness to Requests for Public Information 

• Read more about Correction: MaineCare’s HOME Provider Orientation Webinar Dates and Application Opening on July 22, 2022 

Please note: We have corrected the webinar registration link in the message from July 21, 2022. 

• Read more about The Impact of Language and Stigma on Adolescent Mental Health Webinar

• Read more about Re-entry Update #10

July 25, 2022

Good morning, 

On Friday, July 29, we are hoping to round out the third phase of implementing the Department of Health and Human Services’ Telework Policy. This month supervisors review workers’ requests. These reviews will help us plan office space, coverage, and meetings. 

• Read more about MaineCare in Education: Instructions for Providers of Section 28 and Section 96 Services Experiencing Difficulties with Modifier Guidance for Education-related Services 

On May 17, 2022, MaineCare issued billing guidance, MaineCare in Education: New Modifier Guidance for Sections 28 and 96, that all providers submitting claims for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) services delivered under Section 28 or Section 96 of the MaineCare Benefit Manual should include the TL or TM modifier on the claim line to indicate if the service w

• Read more about Attention Section 90 Providers: Upcoming Changes for Billing Topical Fluoride Varnish 

On August 22, 2022, the Department will remove Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT) code D1206, Topical Application of Fluoride Varnish, from non-dental provider contracts so that it is no longer billable by non-dental providers. This change is part of the rulemaking for MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 90, Physician Services, which was adopted on May 9, 2022.       

• Read more about MaineCare’s HOME Provider Orientation Webinar Dates and Application Opening on July 22, 2022   

HOME Services Provider Orientation

Effective July, 22, 2022, MaineCare is accepting Housing Outreach and Member Engagement (HOME) Provider applications from providers interested in delivering HOME services for eligible individuals experiencing long-term homelessness, as described in the newly adopted MaineCare

Jul 7, 2022

The Office of MaineCare Services has launched Primary Care Plus (PCPlus), a new initiative to support primary health care, advance health care quality, and improve the efficiency of health care spending. PCPlus enables MaineCare to replace the prior outdated and convoluted system of payments and offer primary care practices a single, integrated process for reimbursement with greater flexibility and incentives to meet MaineCare members’ health care needs. 

• Read more about MaineCare Launches New Payment Model to Improve Primary Care Services

• Read more about Drug Rate Updates

Additional 2021 Drug Rate Updates, CR 106867 

On January 12, 2022, we updated certain drug code rates retroactively to either January 1, 2021, or July 1, 2021, in MIHMS based on updates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  

• Read more about Rate Update for 2022 Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASC) Rates, CR 107519 

On February 10, 2022, as part of a regular annual update, we updated the rates for MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 4, Ambulatory Surgical Center Services, in MIHMS retroactively to January 1, 2022.