Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a five-year renewal of Maine’s Whole Person Care Waiver section 1115 demonstration. Approval of this demonstration authorizes the state to continue the state’s previously approved authorities, which include the authority to receive federal financial participation (FFP) for providing Medicaid services to eligible individuals diagnosed with a substance use disorder residing in facilities that meet the definition of an Institution for Mental Disease (IMD). In addition, the state has received new authority to receive FFP for providing (1) Medicaid services to eligible individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness residing in an IMD; (2) traditional health care practices through Indian Health Services or Tribal facilities to eligible individuals; and (3) coverage of certain pre-release services for eligible incarcerated individuals prior to release.

This demonstration renewal is effective from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031. Today’s approval and other administrative documents can be found on the Medicaid.gov demonstration page.