128th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 445		LR 484(03)
	An Act To Encourage Maine Consumers To Comparison-shop for Certain Health Care Procedures and To Lower Health Care Costs
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with: C "A" (S-236)
	Committee: Insurance and Financial Services
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium savings - All Funds Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	Beginning January 1, 2019, carriers in the State must offer, on all small group health plans compatible with a health savings account, a health plan designed to incentivize shopping for comparable health care services.  The State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) is not a small group plan and is not required to provide an incentivied plan. However, the SEHP could create a plan to provide incentives (i.e. cash payments, gift cards or premium credits) for members who shop for and receive a lower cost, but similar quality, health care service. If enough members receive these lower cost services, the SEHP could realize savings. The potential savings are dependant on the SEHP setting up an incentivied plan and on member behavior modification, which will only happen through education about the program. No estimate of potential savings can be made at this time.
	Any additional costs to the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation to adopt the changes in this bill are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.