ME LD1652

Creates a tax credit of up to $5,000 for eligible dental professionals to offset licensing fees and malpractice insurance costs, effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2025

Eligible dental professionals must be licensed, enrolled as MaineCare providers, maintain an active list of MaineCare patients, and be certified annually by the Department of Health and Human Services

Requires DHHS to increase MaineCare dental reimbursement rates to 75% of national state Medicaid rates and provide reimbursement for all dental case management codes

Establishes 3 new positions in the Office of MaineCare Services (Health Program Manager, Provider Relations Specialist, Medical Care Coordinator) dedicated to dental programs, funded 50% General Fund and 50% Federal Expenditures Fund

Appropriates $156,179 (FY 2025-26) and $161,257 (FY 2026-27) from each funding source, totaling approximately $312,358 and $322,514 respectively per year