• Read more about SNAP Rule #233A - Lottery and Gambling Winnings

The adopted rule updates Section 444-12 based on a legislative change to 22 M.R.S. § 3104(16) made by P.L. 2024, ch. 501. The adopted rule change aligns Maine law with the Code of Federal Regulations as it relates to disqualifications based on gambling or lottery winnings. Applying one standard instead of two clarifies requirements for recipients and the Department without having an adverse impact on program integrity.

In addition, the Department determined it necessary to make non-substantial changes in FS 444-12 for consistency within the rule. These changes include:

• Read more about MaineCare Rule #308P - Eligibility and Verification Changes

The Department proposes rule changes to the MaineCare Eligibility Manual, Part 2, Basic Eligibility Criteria consistent with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services’ “2023 Streamlining Medicare Savings Program Enrollment” final rule (89 FR 22780). The proposed rule removes the requirement that applicants apply for other benefits as a condition of MaineCare eligibility.

• Read more about MC 307A - Medicare Savings Program Income Eligibility Changes

The adopted rule effectuates the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) increases in the MaineCare Eligibility Manual, Part 8, Medicare Savings Program (Buy-In) and are based on a legislative change to 22 M.R.S. § 3174-LLL made by P.L. 2023, ch. 412. Part 8, Section 4.1(I)(B) increases the FPL to 185% from 150% FPL. Part 8, Section 4.2 adds “The rules in this Section apply through June 30, 2024.”

• Read more about MaineCare Rule #306A - Mortuary Trust Allowance Changes

The adopted rule updated the MaineCare Eligibility Manual, Part 16, Section 4.6 consistent with amendments made by Resolves 2023, Ch. 34, Resolve to Update Allowable Limits on Mortuary Trusts for the Purposes of MaineCare Eligibility.

• Read more about MaineCare Rule #303A - Household Income Standard for Children and CHIP Changes

The adopted rule increased the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to 300% from 208% of the FPL for all children. The adopted rule aligns the MaineCare Eligibility Manual with a legislative change to 22 M.R.S. § 3174-G(B) made by P.L. 2024 ch. 597, §5. The adopted rule is anticipated to increase access to health insurance coverage.

• Read more about MaineCare Notice of Agency Rule-making Proposal, MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 45, Principles of Reimbursement for Hospital Services

The Division of Policy posts all proposed and recently adopted rules on MaineCare’s Policy and Rules webpage. This website keeps the rules on file until they are finalized and until the Secretary of State website is updated to reflect the changes. The MaineCare Benefits Manual is available on-line at the Secretary of State’s website.

• Read more about Maine CDC and MDIFW Identify Eastern Equine Encephalitis in a Wild Bird

Maine people and visitors urged to protect themselves given elevated mosquito activity

• Read more about HIV Testing Now Recommended Quarterly by Maine CDC

The Health Alert Network notice issued on April 19, 2024, describes the current situation in the state and recommends quarterly testing for certain people. These Fast Facts for Providers on HIV Screening summarize testing recommendations.  

• Read more about Text Messaging Not Accepted Method of Substantive Contact for Section 13, Targeted Case Management (TCM) Services

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) wants to inform providers of TCM services under Section 13 of the MaineCare Benefits Manual (MBM) of the accepted methods for delivering services via Telehealth. Communication with MaineCare members by Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), or any other type of mobile or text messaging is not an accepted form of substantive contact.

• Read more about Attention Pharmacy Providers: Status of Restoration of Maine Point of Purchase System (MEPOPS) and Office Hours with MaineCare’s Pharmacy Team

The Office of MaineCare Services continues a phased recovery following the outage that occurred from February 21, 2024, through March 26, 2024, due to the national cyber security issue affecting Change Healthcare.