Chapter 629
H.P. 1608 - L.D. 2247
PART I
Sec. I-1. 24-A MRSA §2736-C, sub-§10  is enacted to read:
10. Pilot projects; persons under 30 years of age.
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The superintendent shall authorize pilot projects in accordance with this subsection that allow a health insurance carrier that offers individual insurance, is marketing an individual insurance policy in this State and has a medical-loss ratio of at least 70% in the individual market to offer individual medical insurance products to persons under 30 years of age beginning July 1, 2009. A. The superintendent shall review pilot project proposals submitted in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to paragraph E. The superintendent shall approve a pilot project proposal if it meets the minimum benefit requirements set forth in rules adopted pursuant to paragraph E and may not approve a proposal that does not provide such minimum benefit requirements.
B. Notwithstanding any requirements in this Title for specific health services, specific diseases and certain providers of health care services, the superintendent may adopt minimum benefit requirements that exclude certain benefits if determined by the superintendent to provide affordable and attractive individual health plans for persons under 30 years of age.
C. A pilot project approved by the superintendent pursuant to this subsection qualifies as creditable coverage under this Title. Notwithstanding section 2849-B, subsection 4, a policy that replaces coverage issued under a pilot project approved under this subsection is not subject to any preexisting conditions exclusion provisions. Each carrier that offers an individual product pursuant to a pilot project approved under this subsection must combine the experience for that product with other individual products offered by that carrier as filed with the bureau when determining premium rates. The experience of a carrier's closed pool may not be taken into account in determining pilot project premium rates.
D. Beginning in 2010, the superintendent shall report by March 1st annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance matters on the status of any pilot project approved by the superintendent pursuant to this subsection. The report must include an analysis of the effectiveness of the pilot project in encouraging persons under 30 years of age to purchase insurance and an analysis of the impact of the pilot project on the broader insurance market, including any impact on premiums and availability of coverage.
E.  The superintendent shall establish by rule procedures and policies that facilitate the implementation of a pilot project pursuant to this subsection, including, but not limited to, a process for submitting a pilot project proposal, minimum requirements for approval of a pilot project and any requirements for minimum benefits. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A and must be adopted no later than 90 days after the effective date of this subsection.