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Committee hears department request to remove MaineCare from chapter 56‑C carrier definition
Summary
Rep. Anne Marie Mastracchio and MaineCare officials told the HCIFS committee LD 2011 is a technical clarification removing MaineCare from the definition of “carrier” in chapter 56‑C of the Maine Insurance Code, intended to reduce confusion and have no substantive effect on coverage.
Representative Anne Marie Mastracchio introduced LD 2011 on behalf of the Office of MaineCare Services, saying the bill would remove the MaineCare program from the definition of “carrier” in chapter 56‑C of the Maine Insurance Code to clear repeated uncertainty about the statute’s applicability.
The bill, Mastracchio said, is intended as a clarification and would not change MaineCare coverage policy. “This simple change will provide needed clarity, but would have no substantive impact on health coverage,” she told the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services.
Kristen Merrill, acting associate policy director for the Office of MaineCare Services, testified the provision in chapter 56‑C routinely prompts requests for clarification about whether proposals are meant to include MaineCare. Merrill said removing MaineCare from the chapter’s definition of carrier would prevent future confusion and ensure the program is not unintentionally affected by unrelated changes to chapter 56‑C. “Doing so would provide clarity, ensure the MaineCare program is not unintentionally impacted by future changes, and have no substantive impact on MaineCare or other health coverage,” Merrill said.
Committee members had no substantive questions during the public hearing. The committee closed the hearing and will consider the bill further in work session, where staff and the department can provide additional technical language if requested.
