ME| Bulletin 484, Issued By Maine Bureau of Insurance, outlines the deadlines, requirements, and guidelines for rate and form filings for non-grandfathered individual and small group health plans with effective coverage dates in 2026 in Maine. The document emphasizes compliance with Affordable Care Act (ACA) standards, state-specific templates, and the integration of federal and state regulations to ensure timely approvals and consumer clarity.
Key Points:
- Key Deadlines: Initial rate and form filings are due by June 5, 2025, with revisions allowed until July 16, 2025. Final approvals will be completed by October 1, 2025. No new products may be added after the initial submission unless mandated by the Bureau.
- Filing Requirements: Carriers must submit rates based on a single risk pool for the merged market, include geographic rating factors capped at 1.15, and prepare alternate rates assuming enhanced subsidies expire or are extended. Shadow rates for Silver plans must reflect the impact of Maine’s Innovation Waiver.
- Plan Naming and Consumer Clarity: Marketplace plan names should be concise (preferably under 50 characters), include “Clear Choice” where applicable, and clearly identify cost-sharing reduction (CSR) variations. A cross-walk document matching 2025 to 2026 plan names is required to assist with renewals.