FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The state has updated adopted changes to the physician, outpatient and ASC facility fee schedules with an effective date of January 1, 2018. The Medical Fee Schedule update incorporates portions of the 2018 CPT and Medicare RBRVS. The next medical fee schedule update is expected in January 2019.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Reminder In accordance with 39-A M.R.S.A. §209-A, the annual update of the Medical Fee Schedule has been completed for dates of service on or after 1-1-18.   Questions or concerns regarding the annual update may be addressed to Kimberlee.Barriere@maine.gov.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• On May 12, 2020, the Board of Directors voted to adopt an assessment rate for insurers of 2.63% for Fiscal Year 2021 beginning on July 1, 2020.  Assessment letters for insurers and self-insured employers have been mailed and payments are due by June 1, 2020.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• In light of Governor Mills’ announcement of a staged approach to restarting Maine’s economy, questions have arisen regarding when the Board will begin to conduct in-person proceedings.  While it is impossible to give a definitive answer, we are presenting an outline that represents our best estimate of when we will be able to offer in-person proceedings.  Please keep in mind that the following outline is based on what we know today and is subject to change.  We will monitor future events and make adjustments as needed. With that in mind, we expect all proceedings in May and June to be conducted via remote technology.   July is the earliest the Board is likely to begin offering the option of in-person hearings.  As we do so, these hearings are likely to be limited to formal hearings where the parties agree in-person witness testimony is necessary.  Other proceedings such as lump sum settlements and mediations will be phased in at a later date. In developing our plan, we are trying to balance the need for in-person hearings, in some situations, with the need to protect the health and safety of our employees and the public that relies on our services.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• In response to concerns regarding COVID-19, the Board is working to strike an appropriate balance between conducting business and supporting social distancing. Please be aware that effective immediately:
  • Troubleshooting is being conducted only by phone.
  • Mediations are being conducted only by phone.
  • Hearings are being conducted only by phone or other form of remote technology for the month of April.

Prior to the end of April, the Board will make a determination with respect to hearings scheduled for May. With respect to other forms of remote technology, CourtCall is available.  The Board is continuing to look into other methods such as Zoom and Skype.  The Central, Regional and Advocate offices are closed to the public. Limited staff is available to receive mail, deliveries, and Board filings. If you have any questions, please check our COVID-19 FAQ or contact us. Finally, we encourage everyone to stay informed. You can access the Maine CDC website at: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus.shtml.

• Issued bulletin 443 regarding coronavirus pandemic, property and casualty coverage. The Superintendent directs this bulletin to the attention of property casualty insurers, producers with property or casualty authority, surplus lines insurers, and surplus lines brokers. On March 12, 2020, Governor Mills declared a state of insurance emergency in Maine because of the coronavirus pandemic, known as COVID-19, and authorized the Superintendent “to make, amend, or rescind such rules and regulations governing the business of health insurance carriers as the Superintendent deems expedient in order to adopt and maintain sound methods of protecting the interests of such insurers, insureds, beneficiaries and the public” during the emergency.  That day, the Superintendent issued Bulletin 442, “Emergency Measures Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic.”  Bulletin 442 pointed out that the pandemic will affect various types of insurance in addition to health coverage. To view the bulletin, go to https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/legal/bulletins/index_by_number.html.
• Issued Bulletin 444 regarding coronavirus pandemic and property and casualty premium refunds.  To view the bulletin, go to https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/legal/bulletins/index_by_number.html.
• Due to COVID-19 precautions, oral arguments for the May Appellate session have been cancelled. Cases will be decided on briefs.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Published an updated list of certified self-insurers. The list is updated as of March 2, 2020.
• Published Bulletin 442 regarding Emergency Measures Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic. To view the bulletin, go to https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/legal/bulletins/index_by_number.html.
• In response to concerns regarding COVID-19, the Workers’ Compensation Board is working to strike an appropriate balance between conducting business and supporting social distancing. Please be aware that effective immediately:
  • Troubleshooting will be conducted by phone.
  • Mediations will go forward as scheduled and may be conducted by phone.
  • Hearings and conferences will go forward as scheduled and unless alternative arrangements are made in advance, proceedings will continue to be held in person.
• If the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) approves, proceedings may be continued or conducted by phone or CourtCall. To ensure all parties are aware of what is happening with respect to individual cases, requests for continuances or to conduct proceedings by phone or CourtCall must be made on a case-by-case basis. While the ALJ's will be as flexible and accommodating as possible, Board offices are open, and proceedings will continue to be held in person unless alternate arrangements are made. If you have any questions, please contact us. Finally, we encourage everyone to stay informed. You can access the Maine CDC website at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus.shtml.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted a revised version of WCB-90 poster, which is the mandatory workers' compensation poster.  To view this notice and poster, go to https://www.maine.gov/wcb/index.html.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• In light of recent statutory changes, the Maine Workers’ Compensation Board has updated the language in Box 22 of the Notice of Controversy. Please begin using this new version of the NOC as soon as possible, but no later than February 1, 2020.  To view the revised form, go to https://www.maine.gov/wcb/forms/index.html.

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

•  The state has adopted changes to the physician, outpatient and ASC facility fee schedule with an effective date of January 1, 2020. The next medical fee schedule update is expected in January 2021.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Effective June 1, 2019, the Workers’ Compensation Board is authorizing three (3) companies to produce official transcripts of hearings which have been electronically recorded. When ordering a transcript from the Board, you will need to select the company you wish to prepare the transcript. The companies selected are Alley & Morrisette Reporting Service; O’Connor Legal, Medical & Media Services, LLC and Word-4-Word Transcription. To view this notice, go to https://www.maine.gov/wcb/index.html
• The FY 2020 second quarter assessment reporting forms to be filed by carriers is now available. To view the form, go to https://www.maine.gov/wcb/Departments/businessservices/assessmentreporting.html 
• Published the 2020 Workers' Compensation Board Meeting Schedule. To view the schedule, go to https://www.maine.gov/wcb/Departments/boardofdirectors/2020boardschedule.html

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• A new Inpatient Facility Fee Schedule, Appendix III, has been adopted for dates of discharge on or after October 1, 2019. The next update is expected October 2020.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• On May 21, 2019, the Board of Directors voted to adopt an assessment rate for insurers of 2.76% for Fiscal Year 2020 beginning on July 1, 2019.  Assessment letters for insurers and self-insured employers will be mailed shortly and payments are due by June 7, 2019. For questions contact Jan Adams (207) 287-7084 or see https://www.maine.gov/wcb/Departments/businessservices/annualassessment.html.
• The June 11th Board of Directors Business meeting has been cancelled. The July meeting has been changed from July 9th to July 23rd. The July meeting will be held at the Bangor Regional Office. If you have any questions, please contact Debi at 287-7086.
• Published the spring edition of their MRS newsletter.  To view the published newsletter, go to https://www.maine.gov/wcb/Departments/omrs/mrsnewsletters.html.