NOTICE OF MAINECARE 1115 WAIVER APPLICATION
Notice of Public Hearing and Public Comment Period
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services
PUBLIC HEARINGS: Pursuant to 42 CFR Part 431.408, notice is hereby given that the Department of Health and Human Services ("DHHS") will host two public hearings on the DHHS 1115 waiver application that will be submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS").
Table 1. Public Hearings
Hearing 1: Augusta Public Hearing
Date: March 6, 2019
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: 111 Sewall St. Augusta, Maine 04330
Room 103A&B
Conference Line: 1-877-455-0244
Passcode: 7319892834
Hearing 2: Portland Public Hearing
Date: March 7, 2019
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: 151 Jetport Blvd. Portland, ME 04101
Room 139A&B
Conference Line: 1-877-455-0244
Passcode: 7319892834
DESCRIPTION: This waiver seeks to implement the changes below. More information, including the proposed waiver application and the full public notice, can be found at: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oms/rules/demonstration-waivers.shtml. More information about 1115 waivers may be accessed here: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/index.html.
DHHS is seeking waiver authority under Section 1115 to claim Federal Financial Participation (FFP) for the medically necessary services provided to eligible individuals ages 21-64 with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and/or children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), residing in facilities meeting the regulatory definition of an Institute for Mental Disease (IMD). Current Medicaid statue does not allow FFP for care or services for any individual who has not attained 65 years of age and who is a patient in an IMD. This restriction is known as Medicaid's IMD exclusion. This 1115 waiver will provide the state flexibility in the service delivery system with the aim of expanding access to treatment modalities and bridging medical and behavioral health needs to ensure a full continuum of care for people with SUD and SMI/SED.
PUBLIC COMMENT: This notice also serves to open the 30-day public comment period, which closes at 11:59PM on March 25, 2019.
Comments and questions about the proposed 1115 waiver application can also be submitted by email to: Policy.DHHS@maine.gov or by mail to: Division of Policy/MaineCare Services, 242 State St. 11 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011. All comments must be received by 11:59PM March 25, 2019.
The public may review the proposed waiver application at any Maine DHHS office in every Maine County. To find out where the Maine DHHS offices are, call 1-800-452-1926.
