How to get MaineCare or low-cost care in Maine

MaineCare in plain words

Medicaid is a program that pays for health care for people with low incomes. In Maine the program is named MaineCare, and it sits inside the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. One branch of that department, the Office for Family Independence (OFI), handles applications and renewals.

Maine took an unusual road to Medicaid expansion. Voters approved Medicaid expansion in a statewide vote in November 2017. The governor at the time held it back, and the courts ordered the state to carry it out. Expansion took effect on January 10, 2019, according to KFF, a health policy research group.

These days, adults under 65 can qualify when their household income is at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level. That level is a yearly dollar amount the government uses to measure poverty. The exact figure depends on how many people live in your home. Adults 65 and older and people who qualify through a disability also face a limit on savings and property. Our guide on who qualifies for Medicaid explains each group.

Applying through My Maine Connection

My Maine Connection is the state's online system. The site lets you apply, renew, check your case, send in changes and see your benefit history for the past 12 months. You can also print a paper application and mail it to the Farmington office at 114 Corn Shop Lane, Farmington, ME 04938. If you would rather apply by phone, call 1-855-797-4357. You can also get in-person help at a local DHHS office.

The same paper form also works for food aid and cash help for families. Our guide on how to apply for Medicaid lists the papers to gather first, such as proof of income and ID.

You can also get free help from a group outside the state government. Consumers for Affordable Health Care runs a free helpline at 1-800-965-7476. The state's own partner page names this group as the home of Maine's Medicaid ombudsman program, which helps people with applications and renewals. An ombudsman is a person whose job is to help you sort out a problem with a government program.

The MaineCare work rule starts January 1, 2027

The Department of Health and Human Services says new work requirements start on January 1, 2027. They apply to MaineCare Expansion adults who want to get or keep coverage. These are adults ages 19 to 64 who qualify based on income. They do not have Medicare, and they do not meet Social Security disability guidelines.

A current member must meet the rule in at least one calendar month since the last renewal. A new applicant must meet it in the calendar month before applying. You meet it by earning at least $580 in a month, or by doing 80 hours of work, school, a work program or volunteering. You can also meet it by being in school at least half time.

Many people are exempt, and the state publishes the full list. Parents and guardians of a child 13 or younger are exempt, as are caretakers of a person with a disability. People who are pregnant, or up to 12 months after a pregnancy, are exempt too. So are veterans with a total disability rating and people in substance use treatment. People with a health condition that limits their work and American Indians and Alaska Natives are also exempt. To claim an exemption, you must tell OFI.

The state began contacting affected members in August 2026 and will keep going this fall by letter, text and phone. Members learn at their 2027 renewal, starting in March, whether they must meet the rule. The state also says expansion adults will renew every six months instead of every twelve, and that help with past medical bills will be reduced. Our Medicaid work requirement guide explains the national rules.

For now, keep your mailing address and phone number current with OFI, and read every letter. Report changes such as a pregnancy, a disability or a new job. You can also make a My Maine Connection account and opt in to e-notices, which are notices sent by email.

If your income is above the MaineCare limit

CoverME.gov is Maine's health insurance marketplace, and the Department of Health and Human Services runs it. A marketplace is a website where you compare private health plans. It also shows if you qualify for a tax credit, which is government money that lowers your monthly payment. The help line is 1-866-636-0355, Monday through Friday, from 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.

The site says tax credits are still available, although some bonus credits have ended. If you lose MaineCare and have no other coverage, you can use a special enrollment period on CoverME.gov by choosing Recently Lost MaineCare. If your insurer sends a letter saying it is leaving CoverME.gov in 2027, pick a new plan during open enrollment. Your current coverage stays in effect through 2026.

If you lost a job and its insurance, our guide on losing job-based coverage explains the 60-day window.

Clinics, license checks and emergencies

Community health centers are clinics that get federal money and set fees by income and family size. These clinics treat everyone, with or without coverage. Use the free Find a Health Center tool from the Health Resources and Services Administration and enter your zip code. The Maine Primary Care Association represents the centers in the state, and its website has a Find My Health Center link. Our guide to sliding-scale clinics can help you compare prices.

The Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine runs a search tool called ALMS Online Services. It shows the status of a doctor's license and whether the doctor has been disciplined.

Some Maine doctors charge a flat monthly fee for primary care without billing insurance, which is called direct primary care. Our directory lets you search for cash-pay doctors. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing or any other emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Federal law says a hospital with an emergency room must examine you whether or not you can pay. If a bill comes later, ask the hospital about its financial assistance program.