DHHS Notice of Final Statewide Transition Plan (STP) for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published regulations that define the settings in which it is permissible for states to pay for Medicaid HCBS services. The Statewide Transition Plan is required as part of ensuring Maine comes into full compliance with the federal regulations. This Final STP describes the strategies, processes, and resources the state has deployed to complete all efforts necessary to come into full compliance with the federal regulations by the end of the transition period afforded to the state. The Final STP serves as the state’s roadmap for implementing the federal HCBS rule and outlines a detailed work plan and timeline for ensuring that all settings in which HCBS services are provided comply with the federal standards by March 17, 2023. WAIVERS: The following waivers are subject to the new federal and state requirements within CMS 2249-F/CMS 2296-F:
For the aspects of the rule that apply to HCBS settings, states have until March 2023 to align the state’s policies, programs, and provider settings with the federal settings criteria. States must submit a Statewide Transition Plan (STP) that describes the state’s overall strategies, processes, and resources it will deploy to complete all implementation efforts by the end of the transition period. The STP describes Maine’s efforts to implement the federal HCBS rule with fidelity and outlines a detailed work plan and timeline for ensuring that all settings in which HCBS services are provided comply with the federal standards by March 2023. The State of Maine is using the federal rule as a catalyst for implementing other improvements to policy, payment, and practice associated with Medicaid-funded HCBS to improve access to and quality of HCBS services and options throughout the state. The state will continue to work with stakeholders on several additional systems change efforts that complement the vision of the federal HCBS rule. STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 42 CFR 441.301(c)(6) DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF PUBLIC HEARING: May 10, 2022, 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Due to the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19, DHHS has determined that its public hearing will be conducted solely remotely, via Zoom. This is in accordance with the DHHS Remote Rulemaking Hearings Policy issued September 10, 2021. The Department requests that any interested party requiring special arrangements to attend the hearing contact the agency person listed below before May 3, 2022. The Department welcomes public comments on Maine’s Final HCBS Statewide Transition Plan. Comments may be submitted:
Meeting ID: 816 6846 7764 One tap mobile +13017158592,,81668467764# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,81668467764# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 816 6846 7764 Find your local number: https://mainestate.zoom.us/u/kcflxx8EVz In addition to the public hearing, individuals may submit written comments to DHHS by the date listed in this notice. COMMENT DEADLINE: May 20, 2022 by 11:59 p.m. (EST) AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Heather Bingelis, Comprehensive Health Planner II AGENCY NAME: MaineCare Services ADDRESS: 109 Capitol Street, 11 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0011 TELEPHONE: 207-624-6951 FAX: (207) 287-6106 TTY: 711 (Deaf or Hard of Hearing) |
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