§1718-G. Requirements for notice to patients of costs for COVID-19 screening and testing and prohibited charges for COVID-19 vaccination for uninsured patients
1.
COVID-19 defined.
For the purposes of this section, “COVID-19” has the same meaning as in Title 24‑A, section 4320‑P, subsection 1, paragraph A.
[PL 2021, c. 28, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
2.
Notice of costs for COVID-19 screening and testing.
A provider, as defined in Title 24‑A, section 4301‑A, subsection 16, shall, at the time a patient schedules or registers for screening or testing services and before providing screening or testing services for COVID‑19:
A.
Provide notice of any payment or upfront charge and the amount of that payment or charge that will be due from the patient for the services, including payments or charges for which the provider will submit a claim on the patient’s behalf or for which the patient will need to submit a claim for reimbursement to the patient's health insurance carrier or to the department;
[PL 2021, c. 28, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
B.
To the extent applicable, provide the form for requesting coverage from the department through emergency MaineCare coverage; and
[PL 2021, c. 28, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
C.
To the extent applicable, inform any patient who will be required to make a payment or upfront charge that there are locations where COVID-19 screening and testing services are provided without such payments and that those locations are identified on the State’s publicly accessible website.
[PL 2021, c. 28, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
[PL 2021, c. 28, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
3.
Charges to uninsured patients for COVID-19 vaccination prohibited.
A provider, as defined in Title 24‑A, section 4301‑A, subsection 16, may not charge an uninsured patient any amount for administering a COVID-19 vaccine or any associated costs of administration.
[PL 2021, c. 28, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
4.
Rules.
The department may adopt rules to implement and administer this section to align with any applicable federal regulations. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
[PL 2021, c. 28, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2021, c. 28, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).