An Act Regarding Home Health Care Services Ordered by a Physician Licensed Outside of Maine
Sponsored By: Kristen Cloutier (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Out-of-state doctors can order home health care
Maine-licensed home health agencies that are certified for Medicare/Medicaid can now take orders from doctors licensed in other states. The order can cover up to 90 days. The doctor must be in good standing and must examine you in person in the state where they are licensed. The services must match what that exam shows, and both the doctor and agency must follow Maine DHHS and federal home health rules. The doctor is exempt from a Maine license only to place this order, may use telehealth only with you, and may order care only while you are receiving home health services.
Limits on out-of-state doctor care in Maine
The law sets tight limits on what those out-of-state doctors can do in Maine. They cannot give telehealth or in-person care to Maine patients beyond what this section allows. If state licensing or federal certification surveys find a violation, Maine’s health department will consult the state medical boards to decide whether the doctor loses the exemption. These guardrails keep the exemption focused on ordering short-term home health care.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kristen Cloutier
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Daniel Shagoury
Democratic • House
Drew Gattine
Democratic • House
Holly Sargent
Democratic • House
James D. Libby
Republican • Senate
Julia McCabe
Democratic • House
Kristi Mathieson
Democratic • House
Peggy R. Rotundo
Democratic • Senate
Mark W. Lawrence
Democratic • Senate
Nathan Wadsworth
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 567
3/19/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
3/12/2026SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/10/2026HouseCOMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-811), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
3/5/2026SenateReport READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-811) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
3/3/2026SenateCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-811).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
2/26/2026HouseCarried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
6/25/2025HouseThe Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES in concurrence
4/10/2025SenateCommittee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/10/2025House
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (H-811), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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