With this year’s unusually mild winter and early, warmer-than-normal temperatures experts predict that there will be an increase in ticks and Lyme disease.  In 2010 there were a total of 752 probable and confirmed cases of Lyme disease that were reported to the Maine CDC.

(Lyme disease is a tickborne illness with variable dermatologic, rheumatologic, neurologic, and cardiac manifestations. It is caused by a type of bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi,that is carried by infected deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis). Transmission occurs when individuals have an infected deer tick attached to their bodies for 24 - 48 hours. The first clinical sign of the disease is a skin lesion referred to as the “bull’s-eye” rash or erythema migrans (EM), which occurs in 70-80% of cases 3-30 days after a tick bite. Untreated infections can lead to late clinical findings in skeletal, cardiac, and nervous systems. Late manifestations of disease include: arthritis characterized by recurrent, brief attacks of joint swelling; lymphocytic meningitis; cranial neuritis (such as Bell’s palsy); encephalitis; and second or third degree atrioventricular block. ) MeCDC

Kennebec Pharmacy & Home Care can support Lyme patients with compounded medications and IV antibiotics.

For more information on Lyme disease visit Maine Center for Disease Control.

Did you know that Kennebec Pharmacy & Home Care is one of MaineCare's DME approved suppliers.

MaineCare's changes in services:

MaineCare will no longer pay for nutritional supplements, such as baby formula or Ensure, at retail pharmacies.

MaineCare will still pay for nutritional supplements if purchased at medical supply dealers. In some cases, you may be able to get these products through the Woman,Infants and Children (WIC) program.  

These products may be covered for members who have a chronic illness or trauma and cannot eat orally but Prior Authorization is required.

Enteral or parenteral nutritional therapy is covered for members who have a chronic illness or trauma that cannot be sustained through oral feeding.
Coverage for nutritional therapy may be provided to a member that has an inoperative internal body organ or function thereof. For more information check out MaineCare's updated rules at Maine.gov.

Reduction of DME supplies to medical supply stores – MaineCare members will not be able to purchase some DME supplies at medical supply stores. You will need to buy them at a retail pharmacy. These include diabetic supplies such as: Lancets, Lancet Device, Syringes/Needles, Monitor devices, and Test strips.