Bill > LD1713

This bill introduces new regulations for health care provider contracts with insurance carriers in Maine, set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The legislation prohibits three types of contractual provisions: anti-steering clauses (which restrict an insurance carrier's ability to guide patients to specific providers), anti-tiering clauses (which prevent carriers from creating or modifying tiered network plans), and all-or-nothing clauses (which would require carriers to include all members or affiliates of a provider in their network). The bill provides detailed definitions for these terms and applies to both health care providers and insurance carriers. It allows carriers to take civil action against providers who violate these provisions and empowers the Attorney General to investigate suspected violations, issue subpoenas, and seek injunctive relief or civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation. The goal of the legislation appears to be increasing flexibility for insurance carriers in network design and provider selection, potentially promoting more competitive and cost-effective health care options for consumers by preventing restrictive contractual practices that might limit patient choice or increase costs.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1713&snum=132