PUBLIC Law, Chapter 522, An Act To Enact the Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program

An Act To Enact the Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 24-A MRSA c. 56-A, sub-c. 2-A is enacted to read:

SUBCHAPTER 2-A

HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

§ 4326. Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program

1. Establishment. The Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program, referred to in this section as "the consumer assistance program," is established to provide support for consumers, including prospective consumers, of health insurance, referred to in this section as "consumers," and to customer assistance programs and public and private health insurance assistance programs.

2. Consumer assistance program services. The services provided by the consumer assistance program may include:

A. Assisting consumers with filing complaints and appeals with a group health plan, health insurance carrier or independent review organization and providing information about the internal and external appeal and grievance processes of a group health plan, health insurance carrier or independent review organization;

B. Collecting, tracking and quantifying inquiries regarding health insurance and problems encountered by consumers;

C. Educating consumers on their rights and responsibilities with respect to health insurance coverage;

D. Assisting consumers with obtaining health insurance coverage by providing information, referrals or other assistance;

E. Assisting with obtaining federal health insurance premium tax credits under Section 36B of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and

F. Providing information to the public about the services of the consumer assistance program through a comprehensive outreach program and a toll-free telephone number.

3. Contract for operation. The Attorney General shall contract with a nonprofit, independent health insurance consumer assistance entity, which may not be an insurer, to operate the consumer assistance program.

4. Report. The operator of the consumer assistance program shall report to the Attorney General, according to the requirements of the contract under subsection 1, on aggregate data relevant to the services provided by and activities of the consumer assistance program, and annually, by January 15th, the Attorney General shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health insurance matters on the aggregate data.

Sec. 2. Transfers from available fiscal year 2019-20 and fiscal year 2020-21 Department of Professional and Financial Regulation Other Special Revenue Funds balances to the Department of the Attorney General. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, on October 1, 2019 and on July 1, 2020 the State Controller shall transfer $200,000 from available balances in the Bureau of Insurance Other Special Revenue Funds account within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation to the Department of the Attorney General.

Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE

Administration - Attorney General 0310

Initiative: Provides allocations for the Attorney General to contract with a designated, nonprofit and independent health insurance consumer assistance entity to operate the Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 2019-20 2020-21

All Other
$200,000 $200,000

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OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL $200,000 $200,000

Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 129th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.

SP0394 LD 1274	PUBLIC Law, Chapter 522 on - Session - 129th Maine Legislature
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OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2019-20	2020-21
All Other	$200,000	$200,000

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$200,000	$200,000