Maine House Bill LD1583

Maine 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/10/25
• Refer: 4/10/25
• Engrossed: 2/26/26
• Enrolled: 3/5/26
• Passed: 3/12/26

Caption

An Act Regarding Home Health Care Services Ordered by a Physician Licensed Outside of Maine

Summary

LD 1583 creates a new statutory framework allowing certain Maine-licensed, Medicare-certified home health agencies to provide home health care services for up to 90 days to a Maine resident based on an order from a physician licensed in another state. The out-of-state physician must have a current license in good standing, must have performed an in-person physical examination of the patient in the state where the physician is licensed, and may only order services within the medical purpose and clinical scope of that examination. The bill also requires compliance with Department of Health and Human Services rules and federal Medicare home health agency regulations. The bill further exempts qualifying out-of-state physicians from Maine medical licensure requirements solely for the purpose of ordering home health care services, but only while the patient is actively receiving such services and only for up to 90 days. The physician may provide telehealth services only to that patient in connection with the order, and may not otherwise provide telehealth or in-person care in Maine. If a physician is found to be violating these conditions during licensing or federal survey processes, the department may consult with the relevant Maine licensing board to determine whether the physician should lose the exemption. The department is authorized to adopt routine technical rules to implement the law.

Impact

This bill amends Maine law by adding a new section to Title 22 governing home health care orders from physicians licensed outside the state, and it creates a limited exemption from Maine physician licensure laws in Title 32 for this narrow purpose. It affects home health agencies certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, out-of-state physicians who treat Maine residents, and state regulators responsible for home health licensing and medical licensure oversight. The practical effect is to make it easier for Maine patients to continue receiving home health services when the ordering physician is located in another state, while preserving state oversight and limiting the exemption to a short, defined period.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or vote history in the provided materials, the measure appears to be a targeted administrative and access-to-care bill rather than a broadly controversial one. Its structure suggests a generally pragmatic approach aimed at reducing barriers to home health care for patients who may already be under the care of an out-of-state physician. No recorded votes or transcript excerpts indicate strong opposition or support, so the available record does not show a clear partisan or ideological divide.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are the scope of the licensure exemption, the reliance on out-of-state physicians, and the safeguards around telehealth and in-person care. Supporters would likely emphasize continuity of care and access for patients needing home health services, while critics might worry about reduced Maine licensure oversight, the adequacy of an in-person exam performed outside Maine, and whether the 90-day limit and rulemaking authority are sufficient protections. Another possible issue is how strictly the department and licensing boards will enforce the conditions before revoking the exemption.