• Read more about ​Pfizer and Moderna Monovalent COVID-19 Vaccines No Longer Authorized for Use, CR 116981

On April 18, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced changes to simplify the use of Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. As a result, the Monovalent COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer BioN-Tech and Moderna are no longer authorized for use in individuals aged six months and older. See the codes below that are no longer authorized for use:  

• Read more about Service Locator Tool – Invitation to Behavioral Health Providers

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is excited to announce the creation of a Service Locator Tool hosted on Bamboo Health’s TreatmentConnection.com. The Tool will improve access to treatment for substance use and mental health issues. The goal is to publicly launch this tool in summer 2023. 

• Read more about ​Implementation of January 1, 2023, Rate Study Increases for Section 2, Adult Family Care Homes (AFCH), CR 116777​

As of today, April 19, 2023, updated rates for Section 2, AFCH are now available for billing in MIHMS. These changes will be effective retroactively to January 1, 2023, and are a result of our recent rate study conducted in relation to P.L. 2021 Ch.398, Part AAAA.

• Read more about CoverME.gov Launches Special Enrollment Period for Maine People Transitioning from MaineCare

Individuals losing eligibility for MaineCare can enroll in plans on CoverME.gov through July 31, 2024

• Read more about Clone of COVID-19 & Public Health Emergency (PHE)

• Read more about 10-144 CMR Ch. 241, Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

BRIEF SUMMARY: On December 14, 2022, the Maine CDC proposed amendments to the Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rule and solicited public comments until January 13, 2023. The Department reviewed and considered all comments received and as a result plans to make additional changes to the rule.

• Read more about Section 2, Adult Family Care Homes (AFCH) – Public Comment Summary with Department Response and Final Draft Rates, CR 116777

In August 2022, the Office of MaineCare Services initiated a rate determination for Section 2, AFCH, with our vendor Burns and Associates and interested stakeholders. We presented our goals for this study and provided an overview of the cost survey. In October 2022, we met with stakeholders to go over the findings of the cost survey and obtain additional feedback.

• Read more about Attention Primary Care Plus (PCPlus) Practices - PCPlus Application and Recertification Opening – Required for all PCPlus Practices

MaineCare Services is pleased to announce that the PCPlus application period is now open. The open application period runs through Friday, May 12, 2023. 

• Read more about 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.

• Read more about Attention Providers of Sections 17, 28, and 65: Behavioral Health Rate FAQs Update

As a follow up to the notice on February 2, 2023, the Department has updated the Behavioral Health Rate FAQ document on billing and authorizations for services for Sections 28 and 65.