USDA Begins Annual Oral Rabies Vaccine Drop for Wildlife in Maine
Annual distribution aims to reduce disease among racoons in Northern and Western Maine
REMINDER: Behavioral Health and Targeted Case Management Supplemental Payment Reporting Due by August 4, 2023
As a follow-up to our June 21, 2022 e-message regarding Behavioral Health and Targeted Case Management supplemental payments for providers of:
Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Phase 2 Trainings
The EVV requirements for Home Health providers delivering services under Section 40 were implemented on January 1, 2023.
We continue to offer weekly provider and aggregator trainings. All trainings are online via Microsoft Teams.
NOTE: The Absorb training system has been updated to allow providers to register for trainings more than once.
EVV Training Schedule
Maine DHHS releases data on MaineCare eligibility reviews
Jul 7, 2023
Today, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is releasing the first data related to the end of the MaineCare (Medicaid) continuous coverage requirement, known for short as “unwinding.” In March 2020, as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government temporarily waived eligibility reviews for people enrolled in state Medicaid programs. This helped prevent people with Medicaid from losing their health coverage during the pandemic, even if their circumstances impacting eligibility changed during that period.
New Compliance Report Available to Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Providers, CR 117048
Two new reporting options are available in the Sandata Portal. These reports will assist Agencies to meet their goal to have as many auto-verified visits as possible. The report data will assist Agencies to:
Public Forum Postponed: Attention Section 97, Private Non-Medical Institutions (PNMI), Appendix D, Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) Services: Draft Rate Model Public Review and Comment
The public review and comment forum scheduled for August 1, 2023, to present the draft rates and service model for TFC services, is postponed. The Department will reschedule this forum at a later date and will send notice of the new date and time. Please watch for future notices.
Change in Criteria for Adolescent Bariatric Surgeries
Effective August 1, 2023, bariatric surgery centers that hold an accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) with Adolescent Qualification will no longer be required to seek a surgical recommendation by an endocrinologist for members under the age of 21.
Section 60 Medical Supplies and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Update on Pricing and Prior Authorization (PA) Requirements, CR 119002
On March 23, 2023, the Office of MaineCare Services (OMS), sent notification of a reimbursement methodology change for MaineCare Benefits Manual (MBM), Chapter II, Section 60, DME.
State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024 Rate Letters and Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for Nursing Facilities (NF) and Residential Care Facilities (RCFs, PNMI Appendix C)
SFY24 Rate Letters for providers of Section 67, NFs and Section 97, Appendix C, RCFs will be posted on the secure Health PAS Online Portal by July 31, 2023. Rates are effective as of July 1, 2023.
Providers may bill for the new rates provided on their July 1, 2023, rate letters on or after the implementation dates noted below:
DHHS Commissioner Lambrew Announces Director for Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Puthiery Va, a graduate of the University of New England, brings broad experience in public health, emergency response, clinical care, and epidemiology