RESPITE CARE SERVICES PROVIDER IN MAINE

Fatumata Kaba
Aug 12
4 min read

SUPPORTING FAMILY CAREGIVERS BY PROVIDING TEMPORARY RELIEF AND SAFE, COMPASSIONATE SUBSTITUTE CARE

Respite Care Services in Maine provide short-term relief to primary caregivers of individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or age-related conditions. These services allow families to take scheduled breaks or manage emergencies while ensuring their loved one receives the care and supervision they need. Respite is available through MaineCare (Medicaid) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, as well as select state-funded caregiver support programs.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) — Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS)

Role: Oversees waiver-based respite care for aging adults and individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities

Agency: Maine DHHS — Office of MaineCare Services (OMS)

Role: Administers Medicaid waiver programs, including provider enrollment and billing policies

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures federal compliance with respite care delivery under 1915(c) HCBS waivers

Agency: Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)

Role: Coordinate respite under the National Family Caregiver Support Program and Section 63 Older Americans Act services

2. RESPITE CARE SERVICE OVERVIEW

Respite Care offers temporary substitute care provided by trained staff to give relief to a family or unpaid caregiver. Services can be in-home or in licensed settings and are tailored to the participant’s support needs.

Approved services may include:

In-home respite: short-term caregiving in the participant’s residence
Out-of-home respite: care at a licensed day program or residential setting
Emergency respite: available when caregivers face health, family, or work-related disruptions
Overnight or weekend care (as authorized)
Support with ADLs/IADLs, medication reminders, safety monitoring, and behavioral support

All services must be included in the participant’s Plan of Care (POC) and meet the requirements of the relevant waiver or support program.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Maine Secretary of State
Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI
Enroll as a provider under the applicable MaineCare waiver section (e.g., Sections 19, 20, 21, or 29)
For out-of-home respite, apply for facility licensure through the Division of Licensing and Certification
Maintain general liability and workers’ compensation insurance
Hire qualified Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) or respite workers
Develop a Respite Care Policy & Procedure Manual
Ensure HIPAA-compliant documentation, time tracking, and care protocols

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: MaineCare Enrollment

Apply via the MaineCare Provider Enrollment Portal: https://mainecare.maine.gov
Select appropriate waiver or service category (e.g., Section 29 — Support Waiver, Section 21 — Comprehensive Waiver)

Step 2: Licensing (for facility-based services)

If offering overnight or day-based out-of-home respite, obtain licensure from the Division of Licensing and Certification

Step 3: Staff Hiring and Credentialing

Train and credential respite workers in safety, ADL support, and participant rights

Step 4: Referral Coordination and Service Launch

Work with case managers and AAAs for participant placement and service authorization

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or sole proprietor registration
IRS EIN and NPI confirmation
Proof of insurance (liability and worker’s comp)
Licensure confirmation (if facility-based)
Respite Care Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
- Participant intake and respite scheduling forms
- Daily care logs and incident reports
- Emergency response and behavioral support protocols
- Staff training records and supervision logs
- Client consent and rights documentation
- Medicaid billing logs and compliance audit materials

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Respite Worker / Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements: High school diploma or GED; background check; CPR/First Aid certification; experience in personal care or disability support (preferred)

Role: Program Supervisor / Coordinator

Requirements: Experience in caregiving service delivery, scheduling, and compliance oversight

Training Requirements for All Staff:

HIPAA and confidentiality
Elder and disability abuse prevention
ADL/IADL support skills
Emergency procedures and evacuation planning
Participant rights and documentation protocols

7. MAINECARE WAIVER & CAREGIVER PROGRAMS

Respite Care Services are reimbursed or supported through:

Section 19 — Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver
Section 21 — Comprehensive Waiver for Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
Section 29 — Support Waiver
Section 20 — Children with Complex Medical Needs Waiver
State-funded respite via the National Family Caregiver Support Program (via AAAs)

Service models include: