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LD 1511

An Act To Expand Direct Health Care Service Arrangements

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Josh Morris

Expands direct health care service arrangements, enabling providers to contract directly with patients or employers, possibly exempt from insurance rules, with protections.

Signed by Governor
#directhealthcareagreements #healthinsurance #insurance
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Bill Summary · LD 1511

Summary — LD 1511: An Act To Expand Direct Health Care Service Arrangements

Status: Signed by the Governor (June 18, 2025)
Introduced: April 8, 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Morris of Turner
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services

Purpose / Intent

The bill’s stated aim (by title) is to expand the use and legal recognition of "direct health care service arrangements" — arrangements in which health care providers contract directly with patients (or employers) for specified services in exchange for periodic fees or other payment, without routing those services through a traditional health insurance plan. The legislative record shows the bill moved through committee, was amended (Committee Amendment H‑668), passed both chambers and was enacted.

Key provisions (overview)

The full bill text is not included in the materials provided here. Based on the bill title, sponsor, committee handling and the common structure of similar statutes, LD 1511 likely does one or more of the following:

  • Expands the statutory definition or scope of permitted direct health care service arrangements (e.g., which providers or services may participate).
  • Clarifies that qualifying direct care agreements are not subject to state insurance laws or are exempt from being classified as insurance, reducing regulatory uncertainty for providers.
  • Establishes disclosure or consumer‑protection requirements for providers offering direct agreements (for example, required contracts, notice to patients, or prohibited representations).
  • Sets boundaries for billing, enrollment, portability, or interactions with health savings accounts and other payment mechanisms.
  • May address employer-sponsored direct care arrangements and how they interact with employee benefit rules.

Because the adopted Committee Amendment H‑668 was part of the enacted version, that amendment likely refined definitions, scope, or protections; readers should consult the enacted bill text to see the amendment’s specifics.

Who is affected

  • Patients/consumers: greater access to or clarity about contracting directly with clinicians for primary or other care services.
  • Health care providers: expanded ability to offer subscription or direct‑contract services with reduced insurance regulatory risk (depending on statutory language).
  • Insurers/regulators: potential changes in the boundary between insurance-regulated activities and direct provider contracts.
  • Employers: may affect employers that sponsor or facilitate direct care arrangements for employees.

Fiscal impact

Multiple fiscal notes (preliminary and as amended) were prepared and each reports: No fiscal impact.

Legislative timeline / procedural notes

  • Introduced: 04/08/2025; referred to Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services.
  • Committee work session: 05/08/2025; committee recommended OTP‑AM (amended).
  • Committee Amendment "A" (H‑668) adopted and bill passed both chambers (06/12–06/13/2025).
  • Report read and accepted; sent for concurrence and enacted.
  • Signed by Governor: 06/18/2025.

Next steps / where to read the law

To see exact statutory changes, required consumer protections, and the precise language of Committee Amendment H‑668, consult the final enrolled bill text or the published Public Laws on the Maine Legislature website (search LD 1511 / session 132 or contact the Legislative Information Office).

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

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