(Augusta)  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today awarded the State of Maine $135,000 to help fund its Consumer Assistance Program (CAP).  The award was made to the Office of the Maine Attorney General, which submitted the proposal to HHS in September. The Maine AG will work with Consumers for Affordable Health Care and the Maine Bureau of Insurance to assist in coordinating and operating Maine's Consumer Assistance Program. 

Thirty-five states, four territories, and the District of Columbia applied for the $29 million in federal funds made available through the Affordable Care Act.  The allocations to states were based on the state's population.  The awards will help states to develop or expand their capacity to assist consumers in getting their bills paid, in filing appeals with insurance companies, in helping consumers to understand their rights and responsibilities under their insurance contracts, and in informing individuals and small businesses about health care tax credits among other things.

 "It was quite an honor to be asked to speak at the news conference to launch Consumer Assistance Programs nationally and the Program in Maine," said Joe Ditré, who founded Consumers for Affordable Health Care in 1988.  "We look forward to working more closely with the Maine Attorney General's Office and the Maine Bureau of Insurance to ensure that Maine's consumers understand their insurance options and what their policy covers and what it doesn't. Most importantly, we look forward to relieving the stress on families who get whacked with denials of coverage by their insurance company while they are caring for a sick or injured loved one. People don't need that headache. This grant will help us to help them to get their bills paid."

CAHC and the Attorney General's Office (AG's Office) will work together, in conjunction with the Maine Bureau of Insurance (BoI), to:

·        Perform outreach and education regarding consumers' rights and responsibilities under their health insurance contracts;

·        Offer Toll-Free Consumer HelpLines to answer questions about health insurance coverage and/or make referrals to appropriate organizations and agencies for help;

·        Assist consumers with health insurance enrollment;

·        File  complaints, appeals, and grievances regarding claims denials;

·        Develop and coordinate databases to identify and track harmful practices and trends in the Maine health insurance market; and

·        Inform consumers and small businesses about the availability of health coverage tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.

The Office of the Attorney General will add toll-free referral services, website information, training materials, and walk-in locations in order to provide more access points for Maine consumers.

CAHC's toll-free HelpLine number is: 1-800-965-7476.  CAHC's HelpLine and Outreach staff are trained in MaineCare, key private insurance protections, subsidized insurance coverage (Dirigo), Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs, Hospital Free Care requirements, and procedures for filing insurance appeals or grievances.

For more information regarding the Consumer Assistance Program grantees, please click on the following links:

ME AG's Office Press Release: http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=AGOffice_Press&id=145431&v=article 

HHS Press Release: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/10/20101019a.html

HHS Summary of States/Territories Receiving Grants: http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/capgrants_states.html

HHS Fact Sheet on Consumer Assistance Grants: http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/cap_grants.html

Watch the webcast of the today's news conference with Secretary Sebelius at HealthCare.gov/live