Bill > LD1470

This bill directs the Bureau of Insurance to create a liaison program to help consumers navigate issues with self-insured entities, which are employers or organizations that choose to directly cover potential financial risks instead of purchasing traditional insurance policies. The program will provide several key services: maintaining a publicly accessible website and toll-free number for consumer assistance, offering information about state and federal self-insurance laws and consumer rights, helping consumers with inquiries and complaints related to coverage and reimbursement, and acting as an intermediary between consumers, regulatory authorities, and self-insured entities. The bureau will establish a complaint process, compile aggregate complaint data to be published online, and maintain confidentiality of all related records. While the program aims to facilitate complaint resolution and provide information, it explicitly does not provide legal representation for consumers. The bureau has discretion in establishing program guidelines, considering available staffing resources, and may adopt routine technical rules to implement the program. Importantly, the program covers various types of self-insurance, including health, worker's compensation, property, automobile, and general liability coverage.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1470&snum=132