1. Services from out-of-network provider; lower prices. Beginning January 1, 2019, if an enrollee covered under a health plan other than a health maintenance organization plan elects to obtain a covered comparable health care service as defined in section 4318-A, subsection 1, paragraph A from an out-of-network provider at a price that is the same or less than the statewide average for the same covered health care service based on data reported on the publicly accessible health care costs website of the Maine Health Data Organization, the carrier shall allow the enrollee to obtain the service from the out-of-network provider at the provider's charge and, upon request by the enrollee, shall apply the payments made by the enrollee for that comparable health care service toward the enrollee's deductible and out-of-pocket maximum as specified in the enrollee's health plan as if the health care services had been provided by an in-network provider. A carrier may use the average price paid to a network provider for the covered comparable health care service under the enrollee's health plan in lieu of the statewide average price on the Maine Health Data Organization's publicly accessible website as long as the carrier uses a reasonable method to calculate the average price paid and the information is available to enrollees through a website accessible to the enrollee and a toll-free telephone number that provide, at a minimum, information relating to comparable health care services. The enrollee is responsible for demonstrating to the carrier that payments made by the enrollee to the out-of-network provider should be applied toward the enrollee's deductible or out-of-pocket maximum pursuant to this section. The carrier shall provide a downloadable or interactive online form to the enrollee for the purpose of making such a demonstration and may require that copies of bills and proof of payment be submitted by the enrollee. For the purposes of this section, "out-of-network provider" means a provider located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire or this State that is enrolled in the MaineCare program and participates in Medicare. [PL 2017, c. 232, §9 (NEW).] 2. Rules. The superintendent may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [PL 2017, c. 232, §9 (NEW).] 3. Repeal. [PL 2023, c. 224, §2 (RP).]
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