Maine Medicaid Provider Bond Guide
If you’re a durable medical equipment or home health aide provider enrolling in the MaineCare Medicaid program, you’ll need a surety bond.
Bond Overview
- Purpose: To ensure healthcare providers bill Medicaid and handle funds properly
- Who Needs It: DME and HHA providers enrolled in the Maine Medicaid program
- Regulating Body: The Department of Health and Human Services, MaineCare
- Required Coverage: $50,000–$500,000
- Premium Rate: 1–10%, credit-based
Learn all about the bond requirements and process in this guide.
What Is a Maine Medicaid Provider Bond?
A Maine Medicaid provider bond ensures healthcare providers comply with state and federal regulations when billing Medicaid. It helps prevent fraud and mishandling of funds.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) requires this bond as part of the enrollment process for durable medical equipment and home health aide service providers.
How Much Bond Coverage Do I Need?
Your required bond amount will depend on your enrollment type and/or your volume of Medicaid payments:
- Home health aide (HHA) providers: Bond coverage must equal the greater of $50,000 or 15% of the previous fiscal year’s Medicaid payments per location
- Durable medical equipment (DME) providers: $50,000 bond per National Provider Identifier (NPI)
If you’re a DME provider with a record of adverse legal actions in the prior 10 years, you’ll need an additional $50,000 bond per action.
How Much Do Medicaid Provider Bonds Cost?
Maine Medicaid provider bond premiums cost a small percentage of the total bond coverage, typically 1–10%. Exact rates vary based on credit score.
For example, you could pay as low as $500 for a $50,000 Medicaid bond with excellent personal credit. Apply for your free, personalized quote now!
SuretyBonds.com offers the lowest available rates from our nationwide provider network with no added fees.
Who Needs a Medicaid Provider Bond?
The Maine DHHS requires this bond for home health agencies and durable medical equipment providers that are:
- Enrolling in the MaineCare program for the first time,
- Revalidating enrollment, or
- Adding a service location.
How Does a Maine Medicaid Provider Bond Work?
As with all surety bonds, a Medicaid provider bond creates a legal contract between three parties:
- Principal: You, the healthcare provider filing the bond
- Obligee: The Maine DHHS, Office of MaineCare Services requiring the bond
- Surety: The provider issuing the bond
This holds you financially responsible for upholding all MaineCare program regulations and properly billing Medicaid.
If you mishandle funds or provide inaccurate reports, the Office of MaineCare Services can file claims. The surety will pay valid claims up to the bond amount. However, you are ultimately responsible for refunding the surety.
How Do I Renew My Bond?
To renew your Medicaid provider bond, simply pay your renewal invoice when prompted.
We’ll begin contacting you by phone and email 90 days before the expiration date.
