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Maine.gov > PFR Home > Insurance Regulation > Rural Medical Access Program Instructions

Rural Medical Access Program (RMAP)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSURERS

Outline of filing requirements and due dates

The following is intended to help insurers understand and comply with the RMAP which is governed by Title 24-A M.R.S.A., Chapter 75, §6301-6311 and Maine Regulation Chapter 630. Please refer to the entire Statute and Regulation for a complete understanding of the Program.

Title 24-A M.R.S.A. §6304 requires insurers (licensed and surplus lines eligible) to collect assessments on medical malpractice premiums from physicians, hospitals, and physician’s employers to fund the Program. The insurer shall hold collected funds and must invest those funds (with earned interest being credited to the RMAP) until premium assistance payments or inter-company transfers are ordered by the Bureau. If an insurer is not authorized to make premium assistance payments to eligible insured physicians, the Superintendent will authorize the transfer of funds to the principal writer of medical malpractice in Maine.

The current assessment rate (for policies effective 7/1/06 and after) is .75% of premium. The rate will remain at .75% until the Superintendent notifies insurers of a necessary change in the rate per § 6305(3).

Quarterly reports (as of 9/30, 12/31, 3/31, and 6/30) should be received no more than 30 days after the end of the quarter. The quarterlies should report aggregate funds collected (on polices with effective dates in the quarter), interest earnings, disbursements, and a net balance for the quarterly and for year-to-date. View example of quarterly report - Excel or PDF.

Annual reports are due by September 1 for the preceding program year ending June 30.

  • Maine Regulation Chapter 630 §5 states the detailed information that must be included in the RMAP annual report. It should include the name of the physician, hospital, or employer; the physician’s Maine license number; the policy number; the policy effective date; the premium amount; and the assessment collected. The Maine license number is critical as it is used to electronically match the reported physician to the Bureau’s records to note compliance.
  • The Bureau also requires that the annual report be furnished in an electronic format; either on a disk or via e-mail to laurelyn.s.cooper@maine.gov, (depending on the size of the file). The physician’s license number must be in a separate field in the file. The license number provides a significant tool in determining which physicians have not paid their assessment.
  • Always remember to keep the program years (i.e. 01-02 and 02-03) separate from each other when reporting. Each year must be reported individually and balances must be maintained for each year. Never move “left over” funds from an older program year to another year unless directed by the Bureau.
  • If you are responsible for reporting more than one insurer in a group, always report individually for each insurer. If two or more insurer’s assessment reports are combined, it is difficult to monitor compliance by each insurer.

If you have any questions about the Program or need further assistance, please contact Lauri Cooper at:

Bureau of Insurance
34 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

Phone: (207) 624-8464
Fax: (207) 624-8599
E-mail: laurelyn.s.cooper@maine.gov

 

 

Last Updated: July 2, 2008