In addition to the right of recovery set forth in this subsection, the commissioner must also be subrogated, to the extent of any benefits provided under the MaineCare program, to any cause of action or claim that a member has against a 3rd party who is or may be liable for medical costs incurred by or on behalf of the member. The Attorney General, or counsel appointed by the Attorney General, to enforce this right may institute and prosecute legal proceedings in the name of the injured person, member, guardian, personal representative, estate or survivor. If necessary to enforce the commissioner's right of recovery, the Attorney General, or counsel appointed by the Attorney General, may institute legal proceedings against any member, including the agent, representative or attorney of that member, who has received a settlement or award from a 3rd party.

The commissioner's right to recover the cost of benefits provided constitutes a statutory lien on the proceeds of an award or settlement from a 3rd party if recovery for MaineCare costs was or could have been included in the recipient's claim for damages from the 3rd party to the extent of the recovery for medical expenses. The commissioner is entitled to recover the cost of the benefits actually paid out when the commissioner has determined that collection will be cost-effective to the extent that there are proceeds available for such recovery after the deduction of reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs from the gross award or settlement. In determining whether collection will be cost-effective, the commissioner shall consider all factors that diminish potential recovery by the department, including but not limited to questions of liability and comparative negligence or other legal defenses, exigencies of trial that reduce a settlement or award in order to resolve the recipient's claim and limits on the amount of applicable insurance coverage that reduce the claim to the amount recoverable by the recipient. The department's statutory lien may not be reduced to reflect an assessment of a pro rata share of the recipient's attorney's fees or litigation costs. The commissioner may, at the commissioner's discretion, compromise, or otherwise settle and execute a release of, any claim or waive any claim, in whole or in part, if the commissioner determines the collection will not be cost-effective or that the best possible outcome requires compromise, release or settlement.