Access to Health Care

MaineCare provides free and low-cost health care coverage to Maine’s children through CubCare, and to adults who are elderly, disabled, or with low incomes. Maine residents can apply for MaineCare at any time of year.  

CoverME.gov is Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace for affordable health coverage. Maine residents can sign up for coverage on CoverMe.gov during the annual Open Enrollment Period (November 1-January 15), or any time of year if they have a qualifying life event such as pregnancy, loss of employer-sponsored health insurance, moving to Maine, or adding dependents. 

Early Periodic Screening Detection and Treatment (EPSDT) entitles any individual enrolled in MaineCare to certain health care benefits until the age of 21. Children can receive medical, behavioral, vision, dental, and other services and treatment that are medically necessary.  

Maine Immunization Program (MIP) strives to ensure full protection of all Maine children and adults from vaccine-preventable disease. MIP provides information on vaccines, accessing vaccinations and vaccination clinics, vaccination requirements for attending school, and accessing vaccination records.  

Maine Rx Plus (PDF) is a program funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to provide discounts on prescription medications. Maine Rx Plus prescription discounts are available to all eligible Maine residents, including Mainers who are elderly and disabled. 

Maine Center for Disease Control (Maine CDC) Oral Health Program seeks to reduce dental disease and improve the oral health of all Maine citizens. The oral health program provides dental clinics and services for Maine residents, including Maine’s school oral health program, and provides information on maintaining good oral health. 

Maine State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides trained health insurance counselors throughout Maine to provide older Mainers with information about Medicare and other health insurance options. They provide information on programs in Maine that help lower the cost of prescription medication and other out-of-pocket medical expenses.  SHIP services are free, confidential, and available to older adults and people who have Medicare because of a disability. Information is available by phone at 1-877-353-3771.