• Read more about Opportunity Available for Section 19 Home and Community Based Services for Older and Disabled Adult Caregivers

The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) is excited to announce a virtual training opportunity scheduled to begin October 26, 2023. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session educational program for family, significant others, and friends of people with mental health conditions. It is a designated evidenced-based program. This means that research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition.

• Read more about 10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 323, General Assistance Program Manual, Section IV - GA 25A - Recovery Residence Participation

The adopted rule updated the General Assistance (GA) Program Manual, Section IV to provide clarity and align this manual with Public Law 2023, Chapter 133.

• Read more about 10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 330, HOPE - Section 3, Rule 102A -Eligibility Criteria

The adopted rule change to Part 3 aligns with Public Law 2023 Chapter 2 and is consistent with 22 M.R.S. § 3790-A(2)(E) (2017), amended by P.L. 2023, ch. 21 to increase the income limit from 185% of the Federal Poverty Limit to 225% of the FPL.  The adopted rule change expanded income eligibility.

• Read more about DHHS Distributing $8.5 Million to Maine Municipalities for General Assistance and Related Costs

Funding supports unsustainably high recent costs for only this fiscal year, as Department works with partners to advance essential reforms

• Read more about 10-144 CMR Ch 111, Temporary Nurse Agency Registration Rule

This new rule operationalizes the changes made to 22 MRS § 2313 under PL 2023 Ch 434. The rule reflects the following requirements of statute:

• Read more about Maine CDC Encourages Continued Precautions Against Tick Bites This Fall

AUGUSTA – The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) reminds Maine residents and visitors that ticks remain active well into the fall, despite dropping temperatures, and urges continued steps to prevent tick bites. Adult deer ticks are active in the fall through at least November.

• Read more about 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 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

• Read more about ​COVID-19 Vaccine Updates for Fall 2023

On October 2, 2023, the Office of MaineCare Services (OMS) sent a bulletin regarding the coverage of COVID-19 vaccines. OMS has determined reimbursement rates for COVID-19 vaccine codes and their administration as outlined below. Please continue to hold claims until our systems are updated, at which time an additional e-message will be sent.    

• Read more about End of Section 1915(c) Waiver Appendix K Flexibilities

In response to the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE), Maine established temporary changes to its five existing federally approved 1915(c) home and community-based waivers through a standalone Appendix K: Emergency Preparedness and Response amendment. 

• Read more about Blood Glucose Test Strip Dosing Limit with Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM)

Effective October 1, 2023, a maximum of 100 blood glucose test strips will be available every 90 days without Prior Authorization for members utilizing CGM.