An Act to Create a Liaison Program to Self-insured Entities and Consumers

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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1470
H.P. 962 House of Representatives, April 3, 2025
An Act to Create a Liaison Program to Self-insured Entities and
Consumers
Reference to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative POIRIER of Skowhegan.
Cosponsored by Representatives: FAULKINGHAM of Winter Harbor, FOLEY of Wells,
MORRIS of Turner, Senator: HAGGAN of Penobscot.

Page 1 - 132LR1311(01)
1Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
2Sec. 1. 24-A MRSA §238 is enacted to read:
3§238. Consumer assistance related to coverage and claims for reimbursement from
4self-insured entity
51. Self-insured entity defined. For the purposes of this section, "self-insured entity"
6 means an employer or other entity that assumes the financial risk of potential loss in lieu
7 of purchasing an insurance policy for health, worker's compensation, property, automobile
8 or general liability coverage from an insurer authorized to transact insurance in this State
9 pursuant to this Title.
102. Liaison program. The bureau shall establish a liaison program, referred to in this
11 section as "the program," to provide assistance to consumers related to coverage and claims
12 for reimbursements from a self-insured entity as set forth in this section.
133. Duties. The duties of the program include:
14 A. Providing information to consumers on how to contact the program for assistance
15 through the bureau's publicly accessible website and through a toll-free number;
16 B. Providing information to consumers on the bureau's publicly accessible website
17 regarding state and federal laws, rules and regulations for self-insurance and the rights
18 and responsibilities of consumers related to coverage and claims for reimbursements
19 from a self-insured entity;
20 C. Assisting consumers with inquiries and complaints related to coverage and claims
21 for reimbursements from a self-insured entity, including referral to an appropriate
22 regulatory authority, if any; and
23 D. Acting as a liaison between consumers, regulatory authorities and self-insured
24 entities to facilitate the resolution of complaints.
254. Consumer complaint process. The bureau shall establish a process to receive
26 complaints from consumers regarding coverage or reimbursement of claims from a self-
27 insured entity.
285. Confidentiality. Complaints, records and correspondence relating to the program
29 are confidential to the same extent as complaints, records and correspondence relating to
30 consumer complaints are confidential under section 216.
316. Procedures for data collection. The bureau may establish procedures for
32 collecting, tracking and quantifying requests for assistance and complaints.
337. Aggregate information. The bureau shall compile and publish aggregate
34 information regarding complaints received under subsection 4 on its publicly accessible
35 website.
368. Staffing resources. The bureau may consider staffing resources and any limitations
37 on those resources when establishing guidelines regarding the assistance provided through
38 the program and complaint process.
399. Rules. The bureau may adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted
40 pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375,
41 subchapter 2‑A.
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110. No legal representation. This section does not authorize the bureau to act as a
2 legal representative of a consumer in any manner through the program or complaint
3 process.
4SUMMARY
5 This bill directs the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of
6 Insurance to establish a liaison program, including a complaint process, to provide
7 assistance to consumers seeking coverage or reimbursement of claims from a self-insured
8 entity.
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