Bill > LD977

This bill requires the Maine Health Data Organization (MHDO) to develop a comprehensive plan for measuring gaps in home and community-based services (HCBS), focusing on the difference between services authorized and services actually delivered under MaineCare and state-funded programs. Specifically, the MHDO must create an annual measurement approach using existing claims and care authorization data that meets federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reporting requirements. The Department of Health and Human Services is obligated to provide sample data to assist MHDO in developing this measurement plan. By January 15, 2026, MHDO must submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services detailing available data, identifying data gaps, and estimating the cost of implementing an ongoing care gap measurement system. To support this initiative, the bill allocates one-time funding of $18,620 from the General Fund and Federal Expenditures Fund for the Department of Health and Human Services, and $45,000 from Other Special Revenue Funds for MHDO to contract a consultant to help comply with the legislation's requirements. The care gap measurement will cover specific MaineCare benefit manual sections and Office of Aging and Disability Services policy manual sections related to home and community-based services.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=977&snum=132