LEWISTON — The Maine Bureau of Insurance is releasing more documents related to a new insurance plan proposed by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, though not enough to end a court action by Central Maine Healthcare. The bureau announced plans to release some documents, including actuarial memorandums, a cost comparison tool for the individual […]
health care
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Democrats weigh Republican study group proposal as way to expand Medicaid
AUGUSTA — Democrats who have championed an expansion of Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act have one legislative avenue left this year to pass it into law. Ironically, the last chance this year to enact one of the Democrats’ top priorities hinges on a bill proposed by the Republican leader in the Maine House. […]
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Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Oxford Hills, River Valley
Maine’s health insurance exchange likely limited to two companies
LEWISTON — Mainers who want to buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s upcoming health insurance exchange likely will have two insurance companies to choose from. But only if both are federally approved. The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act created health insurance exchanges, or marketplaces, through which individuals and small groups can […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Maine, The Franklin Journal
Judge sets date for oral arguments in suit over Anthem plan
PORTLAND — A judge on Tuesday will hear arguments for and against postponing an upcoming public hearing on a new health insurance plan proposed by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Central Maine Healthcare would like the public hearing postponed. Officials for the Lewiston-based health-care organization say the public hasn’t been able to learn enough […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
CMMC hires new trauma program director
LEWISTON — Central Maine Medical Center has hired a new director for its trauma program. James F. Reilly, a specialist in trauma surgery, emergency surgery and surgical critical care, has served as a temporary trauma surgeon for CMMC for the past several months. He was recently named medical director for CMMC’s trauma program and general […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine hospitals agree to join network sharing health records
All of Maine’s acute-care hospitals have agreed to participate in statewide network that allows health care providers to share and view patients’ health records electronically. HealthInfoNet, a Portland nonprofit that operates the health records exchange, announced Tuesday that 34 of the state’s hospitals already are connected to the system and four more are under contract […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers refuse to repeal health care law
AUGUSTA— The Legislature has said no to a move to bar enforcement of the national health care law. The Senate on Tuesday agreed with the House and voted to kill a bill that labeled the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 a violation of the United States Constitution, and null and void […]
Posted inMaine
Committee passes bill linking hospital payment to Maine Medicaid expansion
AUGUSTA — The debate over whether state government should link the payment of its $484 million debt to Maine hospitals to an expansion of Medicaid ratcheted up again Thursday. The debate began with dueling press conferences and moved on to a 7-5 party-line legislative committee vote that paired the issues. Legislative leaders on opposite sides […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
New health insurer reaches agreement with Augusta physicians group to sell policies in Maine
One of two carriers that will offer policies through Maine’s health insurance exchange has lined up a group of central Maine physicians to treat patients with the new coverage. Maine Community Health Options, a consumer-run health insurer based in Lewiston, announced this week that it has contracted with the Kennebec Region Health Alliance, a physician […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislative committee ties Medicaid expansion to hospital payments
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted largely along party lines Wednesday to recommend that an expansion of the state’s Medicaid program be tied to the payback of Maine’s $484 million debt to its hospitals. The vote marks the first procedural move by Democrats in the Legislature to include an expansion of […]