Sections 13, 17, 28, 65, and 92, Targeted Case Management and Behavioral Health Services – Rate Studies Comment Summary with Department Response

In the Spring of 2022, the Office of MaineCare Services (OMS) initiated rate determinations for MaineCare Benefits Manual (MBM) Sections 13, 17, 28, 65, and 92. Burns and Associates, a Division of Health Management Associates, conducted these rate studies. Providers submitted cost surveys in April and May of 2022. Burns used information obtained through the surveys, as well as stakeholder feedback, to inform the development of draft payment methods and rates. In September of 2022, after P.L. 2021 Ch.

Maine CDC confirms death from Powassan virus disease

The tickborne infection remains rare, death is the first identified case in Maine this year

AUGUSTA – The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has confirmed a fatal case of Powassan virus disease in a Sagadahoc County resident. The adult developed neurologic symptoms and died while in the hospital after becoming infected, likely in Maine. This is the first case of the tickborne illness identified in the state this year.

MaineCare Updates: Preparing for the End of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) 

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a PHE and relaxed certain requirements to ensure Medicaid members could continue to access healthcare services. The federal government has declared that the PHE will end on May 11, 2023.   

Starting May 12, 2023, some billing flexibilities and how MaineCare members access health care services will revert to how they were administered prior to the declaration of the PHE.   

Maine Child Who Tested Positive for Measles Was Not Infectious

U.S. CDC identifies non-contagious strain of the virus, no secondary infections reported

AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) was informed today by the U.S. CDC that a child who tested positive for measles earlier this month did not have an infectious strain of the virus. No additional cases of potential measles infections have been identified.

Boosting Implementation of Maine’s Children’s Behavioral Health Plan

May 5, 2023

The U.S.-declared COVID-19 public health emergency is over, but some of its effects persist, including a heightened need for children’s behavioral health services. This is why Governor Mills’ “Part 2” biennial budget proposal, including the change package, requests nearly $20 million for the next biennium to accelerate and intensify implementation of Maine’s comprehensive children’s behavioral health plan. 

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.

NOTE:  The Absorb training system has been updated to allow providers to register for trainings and/or forums more than once.

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