Section 103: Rural Health Center (RHC) Calendar Year 2026 (CY26) Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
Effective January 1, 2026, MaineCare will adjust RHC rates to reflect a 1.0% COLA.
The 1.0% COLA is provided in accordance with P.L. 2025, Ch. 388, (Part GGG), which has notwithstanding language that requires the department to give this appropriated adjustment over any other COLA specified in state law.
In accordance with federal requirements, MaineCare has ensured that RHC Alternative Payment Method (APM) rates continue to exceed their Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates. This means no additional adjustments are federally required. Providers that continue to receive a PPS rate will have their rates adjusted based on Medicare Economic Index (MEI).
Section 103, RHC CY26 rate letters will be accessible on the secure Health PAS Online Portal by January 1, 2026. You can view them by logging into your Trading Partner Account and following this pathway: File Exchange > Reports > Rate Setting Letters.
If you have questions about accessing the letters, please contact Provider Services at 1-866-690-5585.
For questions about the content of the letters, please contact Rate Setting directly by using the contact name and phone number provided on your letter(s).
For all other questions, please contact your Provider Relations Specialist.