Sec. 3. 24-A MRSA §2832-A is enacted to read:

§2832-A.__Unmarried couples; partner benefits

1.__Definition.__For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "unmarried partner" means the life partner of a certificate holder who:

A.__Is not a blood relative of the certificate holder;

B.__Is not the same gender as the certificate holder;

C.__Has lived with the certificate holder for at least 6 months; and

D.__Is not legally married to another individual.

2.__Benefits.__All group or blanket health insurance policies or contracts issued by any insurer operating pursuant to this chapter must provide to certificate holders the benefits or the options for benefits for the unmarried partner of the certificate holder, at appropriate rates and under the same terms and conditions as those benefits or options for benefits are provided to spouses of married certificate holders.

Sec. 4. 24-A MRSA §4249 is enacted to read:

§4249.__Unmarried couples; partner benefits

1.__Definition.__For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "unmarried partner" means the life partner of an enrollee or member who:

A.__Is not a blood relative of the enrollee or member;

B.__Is not the same gender as the enrollee or member;

C.__Has lived with the enrollee or member for at least 6 months; and

D.__Is not legally married to another individual.

2.__Benefits.__All individual or group policies or contracts issued by any health maintenance organization operating pursuant to this chapter must provide to enrollees or members the benefits or the options for benefits for the unmarried partner of the enrollee or member, at appropriate rates and under the same terms

and conditions as those benefits or options for benefits are provided to spouses of married enrollees or members.

SUMMARY

This bill requires health insurance carriers to offer policies providing coverage for unmarried couples under the same terms and conditions as coverage for married couples relative to the benefits or options for benefits extended to spouses of health plan members.