LEWISTON — Patients who receive MaineCare and use a Central Maine Medical Center doctor would have to find a new place to get their health care if the federal government stops paying CMMC for Medicare and Medicaid next month.
Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. Sun Journal file photo
That payment loss is not certain.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services, or CMS, has told Central Maine Medical center it will stop paying for Medicare and Medicaid patients there unless the hospital fixes problems uncovered by federal investigators. The hospital has until June 30 to address its issues.
MaineCare is Maine’s Medicaid program for low-income, elderly and disabled residents. It is unclear exactly how many MaineCare patients could be affected, but the hospital and its affiliates serve a significant portion of MaineCare patients in the area.
“Patients covered by MaineCare would need to plan to receive services at other providers for MaineCare to cover the cost of those services,” DHHS said in a statement Friday.
Hospital leaders say they are working on the issues cited by investigators and do not expect to lose those payments.
“We have every expectation that CMS will find our hospital in compliance with standards,” hospital leaders said in a statement released Friday.
In its statement, DHHS said it “takes seriously any matters potentially affecting Maine people’s access to health care, including those covered by MaineCare. As the CMS review process continues, we are prepared to respond promptly to ensure MaineCare members are appropriately informed.”
