Blog

Archive August 2025

All of the articles archived for the month that you have specified are displayed below.

Register Now for the September 9th LTCOP Direct Care Worker Conference

The Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) invites direct care workers to attend.
 
Policy in Action: Driving Change for Direct Care and Support Professionals
Tuesday, September 9th, 2025
Augusta Civic Center
9am -3pm
 
Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Speaker of the House, Ryan Fecteau
Learn more about the bill he is sponsoring to increase direct care worker wages.
 
We hope you will join us to create a plan to support this legislation that proposes an increase in wages for direct care and support professionals across the state!
 
Please register using the link below:
 https://forms.gle/qzc7qBRiFA2u6vbM7
 
Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

Wanted: Your Feedback to Inform Maine Public Medical School Feasibility Study

Tripp Umback, the nation’s leading medical education consultant, is seeking input from Maine stakeholders on the feasibility of establishing a public medical school within the University of Maine System (UMS). Please complete this short survey by September 5th.

In response to a critical shortage of physicians, especially in rural Maine, and in recognition of the System’s leadership in healthcare workforce development and research, in 2023 the Legislature and Governor Mills directed UMS to study the feasibility of establishing an MD-granting public medical school in Penobscot County, likely associated with the University of Maine.

Tripp Umbach was selected by the System to undertake the study and has conducted in-depth interviews with dozens of key stakeholders in the state, including representatives of our association. 

To further inform its recommendations and the System’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access and outcomes in the state, Tripp Umbach is seeking additional input through a survey, which can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Maine_Medical_Ed.

We encourage you to provide your important perspective via the survey by the Sept. 5 deadline and to also forward the survey to others you think would provide important insights. It will take no more than 15 minutes to complete and all responses will be kept confidential. Thank you!

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

Reminder: September 3rd NF Specialty Units Rate Reform Forum & VBP Update

On September 3, 2025, at 9:00 AM, DHHS and their vendor, Guidehouse Inc., will host a public forum, to present the recommended draft rates and rate models in addition to rationale for NF Specialty Units under Section 67 of the MaineCare Benefits Manual. Following the forum, interested parties will have the opportunity to provide public comments. Link to register below.

At this forum, the Department will also provide an update on Phase I of NF rate reform as it relates to the VBP requirements. In preparation of this forum, DHHS encourages you to review the presented materials, PDF and recording, resulting from the May 1, 2025, round table discussion.

Meeting Information:

Date & Time: Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Zoom Registration link:
Meeting Registration - Zoom

As providers and interested parties, your feedback is important. DHHS encourages your participation.

For questions about this process, please contact NFSpecialtyCare@maine.gov.

*This notice is sent pursuant to Rate Reform law.

Questions and comments on the rate determination process, or suggestions for the next Annual Rate Determination Schedule, can be submitted to RateReform.OMS@Maine.gov. 

Learn more about this process on the Rate System Reform webpage.

Staff Contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

Final MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final version of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets, version 1.20.1v3, along with the updated Item Matrix. Both are now available for download on the MDS 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual page. The revised item sets will go into effect on October 1, 2025.

These updates incorporate changes finalized in the FY 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) Final Rule. Key revisions include:
  • Demographic and service-related items: adjustments to the documentation of sex and transportation needs.
  • Therapy-related data elements: streamlined to reduce provider burden and improve clarity.
  • Section R (Social Determinants of Health): removed in alignment with recent policy decisions.
CMS encourages providers to review the final item sets now to ensure readiness for implementation and to maintain accuracy in assessment and reporting practices.

You can access the updated MDS 3.0 RAI Manual and related materials directly from CMS here.
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org

Calling all IPs- Register Now for the APIC PTC Fall Conference.

Maine’s Pine Tree Chapter of  APIC is hosting their 2025 conference in Freeport Maine on September 12, 2025.   Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in a full day of education, networking, and 6 IPUs. Multiple vendor tables will be on-site, and breakfast and lunch are included. Click here to see the full session lineup.

If you haven’t registered yet, head to www.apicmainepinetree.org:
  1. Scroll down to Upcoming Meetings and Events and click on Fall Conference.
  2. Click the Register Now button (blue box).
  3. Click Continue as Guest – no membership required.
  4. Member pricing will be automatically applied.
A limited number of rooms remain available at the Hilton Garden Inn with special conference block rate—$100 off the regular price—for those wishing to stay the night before.

Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org
 

Update on Final Adoption of 10-144 CMR Ch. 113, Assisted Housing Programs Licensing Rule

On August 19th, DHHS sent a message to all programs licensed under 10-144 CMR Ch 113. This rule has been finally adopted and is now available in its final version here: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/dlc/licensing-certification/assisted-housing.

Per the major substantive rulemaking process, the Assisted Housing Programs Licensing Rule, (containing Part A for Assisted Living Facilities, and Part B for Residential Care Facilities) has been signed and will become effective on September 17, 2025. Providers, please review and become familiar with this new rule. Compliance is mandatory for Maine’s Assisted Living providers and Residential Care Facilities.
 
The Department plans to issue guidance to providers regarding the timeline for enforcement, which will be emailed to providers and posted on the DLC website. 
 
Final Version of Part A (Assisted Living) and Part B (Residential Care Facilities) of the rule are available along with an updated basis statement. A redlined version of Part B, which shows the changes that were made to the provisionally adopted rule in response to the legislative review (PL 2025 C 92) is also available here.
 
As a reminder for Part B, Residential Care Facilities Level I-IV PNMI and Level I-IV Residential Care Facilities categories no longer exist and associated regulations are now replaced by this final rule.
 
Other Highlights of Important Changes for Part B, Residential Care Facilities:

1. Page 54, Section 7, Administration:The administrator must ensure that the new data reporting requirements is met on no less than a quarterly basis. Data required to be reported will include:
  • Daily number of staff by shift who were working and providing direct care to residents during each shift
  • Number of staff who are working as temporary staff and were hired through a temporary nurse agency or other temporary staffing agency or Internet-based system, and the name of the agency.
  • The facility’s staff turn over rate for each quarter.
  • The facility’s resident census for each day. 
2. Page 75, Section 14, Staffing: Proposed staffing ratios changes have been struck and will remain unchanged:
  • 1:12 from 7 am – 3 pm
  • 1: 18 from 3 pm to 11 pm
  • 1:30 from 11 pm to 7 am

3. Page 89-90, Section 17, Specialized Care Unit Standards: Proposed staffing ratios changes for Memory Care Units have been struck and will remain unchanged:
  • 1:12 from 7 am – 3 pm
  • 1:18 from 3 pm – 11 pm
  • 1:30 from 11 pm – 7 am

4. And as a reminder on page 50, under Section 7, Administration, Part F. changes include:
“Maximum number of facilities and bed capacity for a single administrator. A licensed administrator may not have oversight responsibility for more than 160 residents in a licensed facility, or, if overseeing multiple facilities, no more than 3 facilities with a total licensed capacity of 50 residents. [Class II, III]”
 
*Please note, providers of Home and Community Services (commonly referred to as “HCBS” providers) will no longer be licensed under 10-144 CMR Chapter 113 after September 16, 2025. The Department plans to propose rules for Home and Community Settings in the coming weeks. Providers of Home and Community Services will be provided with notice of rulemaking and compliance guidance via email, and information will be posted on the DLC website.

Staff Contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

Register for Sept. 3rd Nursing Facility Specialty Units Rate Reform Forum & Update on VBP

On September 3, 2025, at 9:00 AM, DHHS and their vendor, Guidehouse Inc., will host a public forum, to present the recommended draft rates and rate models in addition to rationale for NF Specialty Units under Section 67 of the MaineCare Benefits Manual. Following the forum, interested parties will have the opportunity to provide public comments.

At this forum, the Department will also provide an update on Phase I of NF rate reform as it relates to the VBP requirements. In preparation of this forum, DHHS encourages you to review the presented materials, PDF and recording, resulting from the May 1, 2025, round table discussion.

Meeting Information:
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Zoom Registration link:
Meeting Registration - Zoom

As providers and interested parties, your feedback is important. DHHS encourages your participation.

For questions about this process, please contact NFSpecialtyCare@maine.gov.

*This notice is sent pursuant to Rate Reform law.

Questions and comments on the rate determination process, or suggestions for the next Annual Rate Determination Schedule, can be submitted to RateReform.OMS@Maine.gov. 

Learn more about this process on the Rate System Reform webpage.

Staff Contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

Alfond Grant Funding Available for Frontline Workforce Training

We’re excited to share a major funding opportunity to support workforce development across Maine’s long term care sector. The Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce has launched the third round of its grant initiative—with $75.5 million available over the next five years (2025–2030).

This grant provides up to $1,200 per employee, per calendar year to support training for frontline and incumbent workers. The goal? To help build the skills of Maine’s direct care workforce and create meaningful pathways for advancement.

Who is eligible?
This funding is designed specifically for those on the front lines (not board members, volunteers, or C-suite staff). Eligible participants include:
  • CNAs, LPNs, RNs
  • DONs and ADONs
  • Housekeeping, dietary, and maintenance staff
  • Other incumbent employees working in direct care and support roles
What types of training are covered?
  • Third-party or in-house training
  • Skills-based programs that support career growth
  • Not covered: annual compliance trainings or routine policy reviews
How it works:
  • Facilities must be members of the Compact to access the funding
  • Training must be approved in advance
  • 100% reimbursement is provided upon submission of completion data (within 45 days post-training)
  • Facilities can include a 10% administration fee (within the $1,200 total)
  • Each employer is eligible for up to $250,000 per year
  • A new grant management system launched in 2025 to streamline the process
*Please Note:
Facilities (or individual attendees) must pay for training upfront. Because reimbursement occurs after completion, MHCA is not able to submit on behalf of attendees for our events and conferences. Each facility will need to submit its own completion data to receive reimbursement.

Next Steps:
  • Learn more at mccsworks.com
  • Joining is free and open to all businesses in Maine. We strongly encourage you to sign on to access this funding opportunity
  • Regional Workforce Development Coordinators are available to guide you through the process
We hope many of you will take advantage of this significant investment in Maine’s direct care workforce, and as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to MHCA!

Staff Contact: mbooth@mehca.org 

VBP Performance Score Report Now Available in iQIES

Download your August 2025 Performance Score Reports for the FY 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program from iQIES. The reports include the incentive payment multiplier CMS will apply to your Part A claims. For FY 2026 claims payments, CMS will multiply the adjusted federal per diem rate by your incentive payment multiplier.

Starting in the FY 2026 Program year, CMS is expanding the SNF VBP Program to assess performance on multiple quality measures rather than a single measure of all-cause hospital readmissions. Performance is based on 4 quality measures:
  1. SNF 30-Day all-cause readmission
  2. SNF health care-associated infections requiring hospitalization
  3. Total nursing staff turnover
  4. Total nurse staffing hours per resident day

Submit corrections until August 31. See the Confidential Feedback Reporting & Review and Corrections webpage for more information. Questions?   
Staff Contact: mcarland@mehca.org
 

Still Time to Advertise in this Year’s Directory & Buyer’s Guide – August 29th Deadline

The Directory is a great resource for consumers, providers, vendors, and long term care stakeholders. The Directory will be printed and distributed onsite at the our upcoming Fall Health Care Conference & Expo (October 28-30), with an electronic copy distributed to all MHCA members after the conference.
 
Pricing:
 
Quarter Page Ad (4.5” w x 1.5” h)
Black/white: $100 OR Color: $125
 
Half Page (4.5” w x 3.5” h)
Black/white: $175 OR Color: $225
 
Full Page (4.5” w x 7” h)
Black/white: $250 OR Color: $325
 
Features of this valued publication include:
  • A complete listing of all Maine long term care facilities by county - MHCA members are differentiated;
  • A listing of all organizational members of MHCA
  • A directory of important governmental and regulatory agencies and contacts;
  • An advertising/buyer’s guide showcasing vendors of long term care services and products - indexed by type of business;
  • A listing of Fall Conference Exhibitors;
  • With the electronic publication, we added navigational features, like bookmarks, for ease of finding information and facility listings. We also hyperlink to websites and email addresses.
 
Specifications:
  • Sized, camera-ready advertisements are preferred;
  • Electronic files format preferences (300 dpi): tif, jpeg, PDF. Be sure to collect fonts for PDFs.
  • If artwork is not camera-ready, we can produce your advertisement from business cards, letterhead or other copy you provide.
 
If you need assistance in creating an ad, we would be happy to help you.
 
All ads must be received by August 29. Email ad copy to dchicoine@mehca.org.
 
Staff contact: dchicoine@mehca.org
<< [1] 2 3 >>

Calendar

View Calendar