Sec. 1. 24-A MRSA §429 is enacted to read:

§429.__Maintain benefits

If an insurer enters into a health insurance binder with an employer and that employer is contractually obligated to provide a health insurance benefit to an employee of that employer, the insurer must provide the same benefit required by the contract to that employee during the term of the contract unless the parties to the contract agree to a change.__For a violation of this section the superintendent may levy a fine against the insurer up to the amount of the annual premium for the binder and may levy a sanction against the insurer as provided in section 417.__An aggrieved party may seek redress in Superior Court against the insurer for damages incurred due to a violation of this section.

SUMMARY

This bill requires an insurer who enters into a health insurance binder with an employer to provide any health benefit to employees that the employer is contractually obliged to provide to employees during the term of the contract or risk a fine, suspension or revocation of the insurer's certificate of authority and be sued in Superior Court by any aggrieved parties.