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LD 1470

An Act To Create A Liaison Program To Self-Insured Entities And Consumers

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Billy Bob Faulkingham and 4 co-sponsors

Creates a Maine Bureau of Insurance liaison program and formal complaint process to help consumers get coverage or claim reimbursements from self-insured entities.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#claimsprocessing #insurancepractices #self-insuredentities
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Bill Summary · LD 1470

Summary of LD 1470: An Act To Create a Liaison Program To Self-insured Entities And Consumers

Status

  • Status: Dead (Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files)
  • Last actions: Placed in legislative files on 2025-05-28; prior actions include referral to committee (2025-04-03), work session and ONTP vote (2025-05-08), and report out (ONTP) on 2025-05-27.
  • Introduced: April 3, 2025
  • Sponsor: Rep. Poirier of Skowhegan
  • Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services

Purpose and intent

LD 1470 aims to create a formal liaison program within the Maine Bureau of Insurance to assist consumers who are seeking coverage or reimbursement of claims from self-insured entities. The bill would establish a structured complaint process to help consumers navigate disputes with self-insured employers or entities that fund their own benefit plans, improving accessibility to assistance and oversight of claims handling practices.

Key provisions (as indicated by the Fiscal Note)

  • Establishment of a liaison program within the Bureau of Insurance (Department of Professional and Financial Regulation).
  • Creation of a complaint process to address consumer complaints related to coverage or reimbursement of claims from self-insured entities.
  • Staffing: Funding to establish 3 Senior Insurance Examiner positions to implement and manage the liaison program and its complaint process.
  • Effective date: October 1, 2025 (program implementation date if enacted).
  • Fiscal responsibilities: Program funded through Other Special Revenue Funds, not General Fund.
  • Primary purpose of the staffing and program: Provide assistance to consumers and oversee aspects of coverage and claims processing by self-insured entities.

Fiscal impact ( Preliminary Fiscal Note)

  • FY 2025-26: $311,082 (Other Special Revenue Funds)
  • FY 2026-27: $440,094
  • FY 2027-28: $463,137
  • FY 2028-29: $489,236
  • Notes: Funds support 3 Senior Insurance Examiner positions and related program administration to implement the liaison program and complaint mechanism.

Who is affected

  • Consumers seeking coverage or reimbursement for claims involving self-insured entities.
  • Self-insured entities (e.g., employers that self-fund benefits) subject to the new liaison and complaint process.
  • Maine Bureau of Insurance and the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.
  • Potentially insurers and third-party administrators indirectly, as they interact with the liaison program and consumer complaints.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced and referred to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services on April 3, 2025.
  • Work session and vote (ONTP) occurred on May 8, 2025.
  • Reported Out - ONTP on May 27, 2025.
  • Placed in Legislative Files and deemed dead under Joint Rule 310.3 on May 28, 2025.
  • If enacted, the program would be implemented starting October 1, 2025.

Bottom line

LD 1470 proposes creating a state-managed liaison program within the Bureau of Insurance to assist consumers with claims and coverage disputes involving self-insured entities, including a formal complaint process and dedicated staffing funded by Other Special Revenue Funds. Despite the fiscal allocations and outlined program design, the bill did not advance and is currently considered dead.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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