MaineCare Benefits Manual, January 1, 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment

Date posted:

Attachment(s):

Notice of MaineCare Reimbursement Methodology Change

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services

SERVICES INCLUDED: Chapter 101, MaineCare Benefits Manual, January 1, 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment

NATURE OF PROPOSED CHANGES: The Department plans to submit a state plan amendment to increase reimbursement rates for the following sections by a 1% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) which was appropriated by the Maine State Legislature.

Section

Title

Section 2

Adult Family Care Services

Section 12

Consumer Directed Attendant Services

Section 13

Targeted Case Management Services

Section 17

Community Support Services

Section 26

Day Health Services

Section 28

Rehabilitative and Community Support Services for Children with Cognitive Impairments and Functional Limitations

Section 60

Medical Supplies and Durable Medical Equipment (only certain services where reimbursement rates are not benchmarked to Medicare)

Section 65

Behavioral Health Services

Section 67

Nursing Facility Services (direct and routine care rates only)

Section 90

Physician Services (only certain services where reimbursement rates are not benchmarked to Medicare)

Section 92

Behavioral Health Home Services

Section 96

Private Duty Nursing and Personal Care Services

Section 103

Rural Health Clinic Services APM

 

Additionally, as a result of these reimbursement changes, the Department will also increase the Private Duty Nursing (Section 96) level of care caps by an amount proportional to the reimbursement changes. The cap increases are to ensure that members maintain appropriate access to covered services.

REASON FOR PROPOSED CHANGES: All changes are pursuant to Maine P.L. 2025 Ch. 388 - An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027

ESTIMATE OF ANY EXPECTED INCREASE OR DECREASE IN ANNUAL AGGREGATE EXPENDITURES: The Department anticipates that this change will result in an increase of $1,808,385 in federal fiscal year 2026 which includes $1,157,746 in federal funds and $650,639 in state funds, and will cost $7,233,543 in federal fiscal year 2027 which includes $4,583,838 in federal funds and $2,649,705 in state funds.

ACCESS TO PROPOSED CHANGES AND COMMENTS TO PROPOSED CHANGES: The public may review the proposed methodology changes and written comments at any Maine DHHS office in every Maine county. To find out where the Maine DHHS offices are located, call 1-800-452-1926.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR RECEIPT OF COMMENTS:   Kristin Merrill  

                                                                                                         Kristin.Merrill@maine.gov

AGENCY NAME:                            Office of MaineCare Services

ADDRESS:                                       109 Capitol Street, 11 State House Station

                                                         Augusta, Maine 04333-0011

TELEPHONE:                                 (207) 624-4006 FAX: (207) 287-6106

                                                        TTY: 711 Maine Relay (Deaf or Hard of Hearing)

See http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oms/rules/index.shtml for rules and related rulemaking documents.

State Plan Amendment

Office: MaineCare Services

Email: Kristin.Merrill@maine.gov

Comment deadline:

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