​​Over the Counter (OTC) Naloxone Standing Order for MaineCare Members​

On September 8, 2023, in partnership with the Maine Center for Disease Control and prevention, MaineCare authorized a standing order for licensed pharmacists to create a single use prescription for OTC naloxone two dose nasal spray kit. This standing order can be accessed on the MaineCare website in the Provider Resources section under the Pharmacy header. 

Attention Section(s) 18, 21, and 29 Providers: Updated Section 1915(c) Waiver Appendix K Flexibility Guidance

As previously shared in our October 31, 2023 provider bulletin, certain Appendix K flexibilities for sections 18, 21, and 29 have continued beyond November 11, 2023. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to approve the corresponding 1915(c) waiver amendments necessary to make these changes permanent effective March 1, 2024. 

Microdyn Update for Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs) CRs 122405 & 122406

Effective February 10, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) quarterly updates are complete in MIHMS. The following CMS documents provide the details of the APC updates:   

  • January 2024 Integrated Outpatient Code Editor Specs

https://www.cms.gov/files/document/r12419cp.pdf

  • January 2024 Update of Hospital OPPS

https://www.cms.gov/files/document/r12421cp.pdf

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 EVV 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

EVV Phase 2 Training and Aggregator Content – State and Provider Trainings

 

Section 30, Family Planning, Implementation of Base Rate and Resulting Final Rate, CR 122825

Effective January 1, 2024, the Department has updated the base rates and resulting final rates for certain Family Planning Services delivered by eligible providers. These new rates were implemented for billing on February 15, 2024.

Only providers engaged primarily in the delivery of sexual and reproductive health care services, as described in 42 United States Code, Section 1396d(a)(4)(c) are eligible to bill add-on rates. 

Training Opportunity Available for Section 19 Home and Community Based Services for Older and Disabled Adult Caregivers

The Office of Aging and Disability Services is excited to announce a virtual training opportunity scheduled for Monday, March 18, 2024- Mental Health First Aid. This training is being provided under collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Maine and is available for caregivers providing care to Section 19 members. Caregivers can include personal support staff, attendants, home health aides, CNAs, nurses or other natural and family supports.

Provider Survey- Attitudes Towards Contingency Management (CM) for Treatment of Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

The Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with the Substance Use Research & Evaluation (SURE) unit at the Catherine E. Cutler Institute, University of Southern Maine to evaluate the system of care for SUD. We have identified that more information is needed to understand attitudes of providers towards CM within the SUD continuum of care. To assist the Department, the SURE unit developed an electronic survey of provider beliefs about CM as a treatment option for SUD.

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