Feb 2, 2023

Maine is making progress in restoring access to a range of long-term support services in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Second Annual Report on Efforts and Progress in Implementing the Recommendations of the Commission to Study Long-term Care Workforce Issues (PDF). This new report shows actions taken in the face of the significant challenges posed by the pandemic as well as preliminary results.

• Read more about Annual Report Shows Direct Support Workforce Stabilizing as Progress Continues on Long-Term Care Initiatives

• 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. 

• Read more about Attention Providers of Section 65, Behavioral Health Services (Crisis Resolution/Crisis Response): Draft Service Model and Provider Survey Public Meeting

Mobile Crisis Response Redesign: Public Review and Provider Survey Discussion  

MaineCare is holding an online public meeting on February 24, 2023, to present a draft redesigned mobile crisis response service model along with the rationale for the recommended model. In addition to the presentation of the draft service model, DHHS’s rate determination vendor, Burns & Associates, will present a data collection process and survey to be completed by providers of crisis response services.  

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

As mentioned in the notice on February 2, 2023, the Department now has available the Behavioral Health Rate FAQ document on billing and authorizations for services for Sections 28 and 65.

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

As mentioned in the notice on February 2, 2023, the Department now has available the Behavioral Health Rate FAQ document on billing and authorizations for services for Sections 28 and 65.

• Read more about History of Augusta Mental Health Institute

Learn more about the long history of Riverview Psychiatric Center, formerly the Augusta Mental Health Institute.

Feb 2, 2023

Today, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Plan for Maine (PDF) to improve the continuum of behavioral health services available to Maine people from childhood throughout the lifespan.

• Read more about DHHS Releases Comprehensive Behavioral Health Plan for Maine

• 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 substance use and mental health treatment. The goal is to publicly launch this tool in spring 2023. 

There is NO COST to your agency to participate in this initiative. To learn more about this and how to onboard to the platform, we encourage you to attend an orientation event listed below.  

• Read more about Primary Care Plus (PCPlus) Providers Open Office Hour on Thursday, February 16, 2023, Reminder

MaineCare’s Delivery System Reform Unit (DSRU) is holding a PCPlus Open Office Hour on Thursday, February 16, 2023, from 12:00-1:00 PM as an online venue for PCPlus providers to ask MaineCare questions concerning the PCPlus program.

• 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.