Attention: Providers of Sections 18, 19, 20, 21, and 29: Appendix K to Maine’s Home and Community Based Waivers Continues to Provide Temporary Flexibilities on Service Caps

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Attention: Providers of Sections 18, 19, 20, 21, and 29: Appendix K to Maine's Home and Community Based Waivers Continues to Provide Temporary Flexibilities on Service Caps, Staffing Appendix K to Maine's Home and Community-Based Services 1915(c) waivers provides the state certain flexibilities in waiver program operations during an emergency. Maine's Appendix K and amendments may be found here. Section K-2.b.ii. of Maine's Appendix K, which allows staffing at a lower percentage of authorized levels, was originally set to expire on May 31, 2020. Due to continuing need related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, however, the Department has extended this provision eight times, most recently through June 30, 2022. At this time, given ongoing challenges related to COVID-19 throughout Maine, the Department will continue to provide flexibility under Section K-2.b.ii through September 30, 2022, including the provision that allows staffing at 70% of authorized levels. The Department is monitoring pandemic workforce shortages closely in light of permanent rate increases that have now been implemented retroactively to January 1, 2022, and one-time retention and recruitment bonus funds that were distributed to provider agencies in February and March of 2022. The Department expects to begin transitioning back to non-pandemic staffing requirements as appropriate later this year. The Department expects to restore staffing level requirements to 80% on October 1, 2022, and to 92.5% on January 1, 2023.  Questions on use of Appendix K flexibilities may be sent to OADS@maine.gov.  Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by Maine Department of Health & Human Services. This email was sent to ooseims.archieves@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Health & Human Services · 109 Capitol St · Augusta, ME 04333