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AUGUSTA— The Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) is recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to promote the importance of mental health, reduce stigma, and spotlight resources for support.
This routine technical rulemaking operationalizes the statutory requirements of PL 2023 Ch. 309, An Act to Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to License and Ensure the Quality of Personal Care Agencies. This rulemaking repeals and replaces 10-144 CMR Ch. 129, Rules and Regulations Governing In-Home Personal Care and Support Workers, which became effective on January 1, 1999.
Notice of Agency Rule-making Proposal
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), MaineCare Services, Division of Policy
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: 10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 101, MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 43, Hospice Services
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER:
CONCISE SUMMARY:
Eligible families to receive $120 per child to ease summer grocery bills
AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Office for Family Independence (OFI) today announced SUN Bucks, a program to help eligible families access food for their children during the summer months. SUN Bucks provides families with a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible school-aged child to supplement the summer grocery budget until classes and regular school meals resume in the fall.
Public Review & Comment
On May 17, 2024, MaineCare held an online public meeting to present a draft rate model and rate, along with the rationale for the Section 23, Child Abuse Evaluation service. Interested parties had the opportunity to provide public comments.
The draft rate model and video recording of the meeting will be posted on our Rate System Reform website by the end of today.
In alignment with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) quarterly rate update, the Department has retroactively updated the Physician Drug Rates Effective April 1, 2024. These new rates were implemented for billing on May 15, 2024.
The updated rates can be found on the Rate Setting page of the Health PAS Online Portal.
Adjustment of Claims
This notice is to clarify and provide instructions on the appropriate processes for submitting Authorization to Release Information forms (Authorizations) to DHHS offices. This form is signed by the patient to give DHHS permission to speak with someone else about their benefits.
Educational Resources for Providers
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Count the Kicks are pleased to provide free educational materials and resources for those who serve expectant parents in Maine. These materials are available in the following languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Lingala, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Kinyarwanda, and Somali.
Webinar for Nurses & Doulas
Due to Change Healthcare’s recent national cyber security issue, some providers have not been able to submit Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) transactions to MaineCare. These electronic transactions include, but are not limited to, claim submission and eligibility verification. MaineCare worked with Change Healthcare/Optum to re-establish a connection, and they are now certified to submit EDI transactions in production. Contact your vendor(s) to submit EDI transactions they’ve been holding since February 2024.
May 5, 2024
The Maine DHHS Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) announced today new child care reimbursement rates taking effect in July 2024 that will improve access to high-quality child care and early childhood learning for families across Maine.