Does Maine law prohibit medical billing over 6 months after the service date?

Maine law does not bar health care providers from issuing bills more than six months after the date of service, though lawmakers considered banning the practice a few years ago.

In 2020, lawmakers considered LD 2111, whose original wording would have prohibited bills being sent to customers over six months later. That language was removed during the amendment process and did not appear in the final version that was signed into law.

The enacted law instead focuses on preventing “surprise” medical bills, which occur when patients unknowingly receive care from out-of-network providers, often at in-network hospitals or during emergencies, which can be more expensive.

The law caps patient charges at in-network rates, requires providers to disclose network status, and prohibits hidden fees for transferring medical records. It also requires hospitals to explain Medicare “observation” status, which can increase out-of-pocket costs and limit coverage for Medicare patients.