Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires health insurance coverage of nonprescription oral contraceptives and nonprescription emergency contraceptives in Maine.

Highlights:

• Requires health insurance coverage of nonprescription oral contraceptives and nonprescription emergency contraceptives in Maine (Sec. 1-15).

• Expands the requirements in current law for coverage of contraceptives to include nonprescription oral hormonal contraceptives and nonprescription emergency  contraceptives approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (Sec. 1-15).

• Specifies that a prescription is not required for insurance coverage for nonprescription oral hormonal contraceptives and nonprescription emergency contraceptives and requires insurers to establish mechanisms to ensure that an enrollee who purchases a nonprescription oral hormonal contraceptive or nonprescription emergency contraceptive at a pharmacy has the option to make the purchase pursuant to a standing order issued for billing purposes without a payment required at the point of sale or to make the purchase with a payment at the point  of sale and submit a claim for reimbursement to the insurer. 

• Requires health insurance carriers to notify enrollees, at least annually, of the  coverage requirements for contraceptive supplies and the procedures an enrollee must follow to access coverage for nonprescription oral hormonal contraceptives and nonprescription emergency contraceptives at a pharmacy without an out-of-pocket cost at the point of sale or by submitting a claim for reimbursement (Sec. 1-15).

• Authorizes the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance to adopt rules to implement the provisions and also requires the bureau to monitor implementation by health insurance carriers and to report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health coverage, insurance and financial services matters no later than November 4, 2026 (Sec. 1-15).

• Specifies that the requirements of this bill shall apply beginning January 1, 2026 (Sec. 1-15).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires health insurance coverage of nonprescription oral contraceptives and nonprescription emergency contraceptives in Maine.

Highlights:

• Requires health insurance coverage of nonprescription oral contraceptives and nonprescription emergency contraceptives in Maine (Sec. 1-15).

• Expands the requirements in current law for coverage of contraceptives to include nonprescription oral hormonal contraceptives and nonprescription emergency  contraceptives approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (Sec. 1-15).

• Specifies that a prescription is not required for insurance coverage for nonprescription oral hormonal contraceptives and nonprescription emergency contraceptives and requires insurers to establish mechanisms to ensure that an enrollee who purchases a nonprescription oral hormonal contraceptive or nonprescription emergency contraceptive at a pharmacy has the option to make the purchase pursuant to a standing order issued for billing purposes without a payment required at the point of sale or to make the purchase with a payment at the point  of sale and submit a claim for reimbursement to the insurer. 

• Requires health insurance carriers to notify enrollees, at least annually, of the  coverage requirements for contraceptive supplies and the procedures an enrollee must follow to access coverage for nonprescription oral hormonal contraceptives and nonprescription emergency contraceptives at a pharmacy without an out-of-pocket cost at the point of sale or by submitting a claim for reimbursement (Sec. 1-15).

• Authorizes the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance to adopt rules to implement the provisions and also requires the bureau to monitor implementation by health insurance carriers and to report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health coverage, insurance and financial services matters no later than November 4, 2026 (Sec. 1-15).

• Specifies that the requirements of this bill shall apply beginning January 1, 2026 (Sec. 1-15).

Full Bill Text