In Maine, your health insurance options do not depend on your health status.

• Coverage under your group health plan (if your employer offers one) cannot be denied or limited, nor can you be required to pay more, because of your health status. This is called nondiscrimination.
• All group health plans in Maine must limit exclusion of pre-existing conditions. There are rules about what counts as a pre-existing condition and how long you must wait before a new group health plan will begin to pay for care for that condition. Generally, if you join a new group health plan, your old coverage will be credited toward the pre-existing condition exclusion period, provided you did not have a long break in coverage.
• Your health insurance cannot be canceled because you get sick. Most health insurance is guaranteed renewable.
• If you leave your job, you may be able to remain in your old group health plan for a certain length of time. This is called COBRA or state continuation coverage. It can help when you are between jobs or waiting for a new health plan to cover your pre-existing condition. There are limits on what you can be charged for this coverage.
• If you are a small employer buying a small group health plan, you cannot be turned down because of the health status, age, or any factor that might predict the use of health services of those in your group. All health plans for small employers must be sold on a guaranteed issue basis. You also cannot be charged more due to the health status or gender of those in your group. However, your group’s premiums may vary, within limits, due to age, occupation, smoking status, family size and location of your business. This is called modified community rating.
• You cannot be turned down for individual health insurance because of your health status, age, or any other factor that might predict your use of health services. This is called guaranteed issue. You cannot be charged more for your health insurance due to health status or gender. However, your premiums may vary, within limits, due to age, occupation, smoking status, family size and where you live. This is called modified community rating.
• If you have low or modest household income, you may be eligible for free or subsidized health coverage for yourself or members of your family under the MaineCare program. Also known as Medicaid, MaineCare offers free health coverage for pregnant women, families with children, elderly and disabled individuals with very low-incomes. MaineCare also offers free or subsidized health coverage for uninsured children (also known as Cub Care).
• If you believe that you may be at risk for breast or cervical cancer but are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for free screening and treatment. The Maine Breast and Cervical Cancer Health Program provides free cancer screening for qualified female resident. Some women diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer through this program may be eligible for medical care though Medicaid.
• If you have low or modest household income and your employer does not provide health insurance, you may be eligible for subsidized health coverage for yourself or members of your family. The Dirigo Health Program offers low-cost health coverage to low-income uninsured individuals. In addition, the program also provides low-cost coverage to small employers and self-employed persons.
• If you lost your health insurance and are receiving benefits from the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program, you may be eligible for a federal income tax credit to help you pay for new health coverage. This credit is called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), and is equal to 65% of the cost of qualified coverage, including a policy offer through the State of Maine Employee Health and Benefit Department.
• If you are a retiree aged 55-65 and receiving benefits from Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), then you may be eligible for the HCTC.