Bill > LD960

This bill directs the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to modify its MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid) rules to allow hospitalized patients to be placed in nursing facilities located farther from their homes under specific circumstances. Currently, patients are typically placed in nursing facilities within 60 miles of their residence, but this bill creates exceptions for placements between 60-100 miles and beyond 100 miles. For placements 60-100 miles away, hospitals must first document their attempts to find a closer facility, including any facility refusals. When a placement is beyond 60 miles, patients must receive information about the long-term care ombudsman program, which helps protect the rights of patients in long-term care settings. For placements over 100 miles from a patient's home, the patient or their guardian must provide explicit consent. This bill aims to provide more flexibility in nursing facility placements while ensuring patient rights and preferences are considered.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=960&snum=132