MaineCare Adds More People to the Non-Cat Program
In June, MaineCare began adding about 5300
people from the “Non-Cat” waiting list onto
MaineCare, Maine’s Medicaid program.
(Non-cats are sometimes called ‘childless
adult’. The waiting list had over 15,000 people
on it.)
Those 5300 people will either automatically be
added or will get a letter with a form to fill out.
If you get one of these forms, be sure to fill it
out and return it to the Department of Health
and Human Services right away so that you
don’t lose the chance to get MaineCare.
The “Non-Cat” MaineCare program helps
non-disabled adults between the ages of 22-
64. Non-Cats have no minor children at home.
Their monthly income must be less than 100%
of the federal poverty level - about $900 per
month for a single individual; $1,167 for a
couple. The program is run through a federal
Medicaid “waiver” that limits enrollment to
keep costs under federal and state spending
caps.
New people had not been added to the program
for over a year. The Maine Department of
Health and Human Services (DHHS) was not
adding new people to the program because
they thought that the program costs
were nearly up to the spending cap.
DHHS looked again at the data and saw
that the program’s cost is well below
the cap. That means that DHHS must
add people to the program.
People must be added or else the state violates
the new federal Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 (ARRA). ARRA gave states
additional Medicaid funds to help them get
through these tough times. To get these funds,
states must promise not to make certain cuts in
their Medicaid programs. In Maine, this means
that we can’t reduce the number of people on
the non-cat program that would be eligible to be
served.
DHHS believes that the program can provide
healthcare coverage to about 15,000 people.
Since some people leave the program each
month, there will be room to take new people
off the waiting list from time to time.
If you or someone you know may
qualify for this program and you want
MaineCare services, be sure to apply.
The waiting list is first come- first serve,
so the sooner you sign up, the better.
Want to apply for MaineCare? Call or visit the Department
of Health and Human Services (DHHS) local office closest to where you live.
For more information on your local DHHS office, you can call DHHS at 877-543-7669
or look on the DHHS website.
You can also print out an application
from the DHHS website.
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