APPROVED CHAPTER
APRIL 22, 2024 661
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR
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S.P. 889 - L.D. 2096
An Act to Ensure Access to Pain Management Services in Health Insurance
Plans
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 24-A MRSA §4311-A is enacted to read:
§4311-A. Access to pain management services
1. Access to pain management services. A carrier shall develop a plan to provide
adequate coverage of and access to a broad spectrum of pain management services,
including, but not limited to, nonopioid, nonnarcotic medication for pain management and
nonmedication pain management services that serve as alternatives to the prescribing of
opioid or narcotic drugs in accordance with guidelines developed by the bureau.
2. Approval by bureau. A carrier shall file a plan required under subsection 1 with
the bureau for approval. In its review, the bureau shall consider the adequacy of access to
a broad spectrum of pain management services under the plan and whether any policies
adopted by the carrier may create unduly preferential coverage of and access to prescribed
opioids for pain management without consideration of other pain management services.
3. Information for enrollees. A carrier shall distribute educational materials to
network providers about a pain management access plan under subsection 1 and post
information about the pain management access plan on the carrier's publicly accessible
website.
Sec. 2. Application. This Act applies to all policies, contracts and certificates
executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in the State on or after
January 1, 2026. For purposes of this Act, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later
than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION, DEPARTMENT OF
Insurance - Bureau of 0092
Page 1 - 131LR2904(03)
Initiative: Provides a one-time allocation for a consultant to develop guidance on pain
management plans.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 2023-24 2024-25
All Other $0 $25,000
__________ __________
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL $0 $25,000
Page 2 - 131LR2904(03)