Maine Revised Statutes Title 24-A. Maine Insurance Code § 4332. Safe harbor and waiver

1. Authority for safe harbor. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Title or Title 24, including, without limitation, sections 4341 and 4342, an arrangement between a carrier and a downstream entity with which the carrier has contracted to provide or arrange for the provision of services that allows the downstream entity to accept a limited degree of insurance risk is permitted and such a risk arrangement is deemed not to be engaging in the business of insurance by the downstream entity if:

2. Waiver for downstream risk arrangements that exceed risk threshold described in section 4334. Carriers and downstream entities that wish to develop downstream risk arrangements that exceed the risk threshold described in section 4334 may jointly request that the superintendent grant a waiver that allows the downstream entity to accept a limited degree of insurance risk without being licensed as an insurer, a health maintenance organization or an insurance administrator. The joint request for a waiver must include a plan for managing financial exposure, based upon reasonable enrollment and utilization projections and upon the contracts, parties and features proposed, sufficient to quantify in dollars per quarter and per annum all elements of downstream risk to be assumed by the downstream entity. All other risk arrangements are prohibited unless the arrangements meet the appropriate licensing standards or are expressly permitted by the superintendent.

3. Continuing obligation to subscribers. A carrier contracting with a downstream entity remains obligated to its subscribers for the delivery of health care benefits consistent with existing state law. The carrier remains responsible for compliance with all applicable laws.

4. Certain incentives prohibited. A downstream risk arrangement may not contain incentives for the downstream entity or participating provider to limit or deny medically necessary care to enrollees.

5. Requirements still applicable. The application of the safe harbor provisions in subsection 1 or a waiver of licensing requirements granted pursuant to this section does not exempt the downstream entity from any other licensure or prior approval requirements applicable to activities conducted by the downstream entity, including, but not limited to, utilization review licensure, insurance administrator licensure or preferred provider arrangement registration.