New Maine Medicaid Policy Limits Most Mental Health Community Support Services To People With Schizophrenia Or Schizoaffective Disorder

On April 8, 2016, the Maine Medicaid program implemented a new policy limiting most mental health community support services (CSS) to people diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The goal is to limit CSS eligibility to people with serious mental illness (SMI) and functional impairments in performing activities of daily living. About 17,000 people were receiving CSS; about 8,000 who have other diagnoses will be redirected to other interventions, such as medication or counseling.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) made the change because it had been maintaining a wait list for CSS. About 350 . . .