This page has information specific to this state, including contact information for federal and state agencies, and some key information about laws and consumer protections.
To find financial assistance resources, please visit CancerFinances.org.
Disability Insurance
Federal Disability Insurance (SSDI & SSI)
Social Security Administration
800.772.1213
Estate Planning & Medical Decision Making
Triage Cancer's free State-Specific Estate Planning Toolkit includes information about estate planning in general, and information about Maine estate planning documents, and the specific forms you need.
Bankruptcy
How to File Bankruptcy in Maine for Free
Filing bankruptcy can be an effective way to eliminate medical bills and credit card debt among other kinds of erasable debts.
Employment
Federal Fair Employment Agency
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
800.669.4000
info@eeoc.gov
Reasonable Accommodations
Job Accommodation Network
800.526.7234
jan@AskJAN.org
Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
U.S. Department of Labor
Wage & Hour Division
866.487.9243
State Fair Employment Agency
Maine Human Rights Commission
207.624.6290
Vocational Rehabilitation
Maine Department of Labor, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
207.623.6799
Health Insurance
Maine Health Insurance Marketplace (a.k.a Exchange)
800.318.2596
Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program & External Appeals
Consumers for Affordable Health Care
800.965.7476
Maine Bureau of Insurance
800.300.5000 or 207.624.8475
COBRA
U.S. Department of Labor
Employee Benefits Security Administration
COBRA-Maine
Maine Bureau of Insurance
800.300.5000 or 207.624.8475
Medicaid Programs
Triage Cancer Guide to Medicaid Expansion
MaineCare
207.287.3707
State Medicaid Program for In-Home Care
Elderly and Adults and Adults with Disabilities Waiver
Consumer Directed Attendant Services
State Children’s Health Insurance Program
MaineCare
877.543.7669
Find Health & Dental Coverage For Your Family
InsureKids.gov
Medicare
Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
800.MEDICARE (633.4227)
Medicare Assistance
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
800.262.2232
Health Care Programs & Laws
Women’s Health & Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA)
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Sharing Medical Information with Family & Friends
Hill Burton Federally-Funded Health Centers
Federally Qualified Health Centers
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)
Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health Program (MBCHP)
Transportation
Local transit systems may provide free or discounted rates for low-income individuals and families. Some cities also offer bus passes, vouchers for taxi or ride-sharing services, or shuttle services for patients traveling to cancer treatments.
Dial 211 for assistance.
Unemployment Resources
Unemployment Agency
Maine Department of Labor
800.593.7660
Agency: Maine Department of Labor
Information is available here. File here. Initial payments will be made about two or three weeks after filing if a claimant is eligible. Click here to see the current weekly benefit amount and the maximum length of benefits. Payment can be made via direct deposit or a debit card. Claimants must register with Maine JobLink and maintain an active work search. Frequently asked questions are answered here. A comprehensive guidebook is available here. Video tutorials are available here. Customer service is available at: 800-593-7660 and online.
State Clinical Trials Law
The ACA requires that most, non-grandfathered, group health plans provide coverage for the routine costs when participating in clinical trials. Some states have more consumer protections. Click here for more information about clinical trials.
24-A MRSA §4310 – The statute applies to all private insurers, both individual and group policies, contracted for in the state. These insurers must cover routine patient costs furnished in connection with the clinical trial. For an enrollee to qualify for coverage for participation in a clinical trial, the person: (1) must have a life-threatening illness for which no standard treatment is effective, (2) must be eligible to participate pursuant to the protocol, (3) has meaningful potential to sustain significant clinical benefit, and (4) has obtained approval to participate from his/her referring physician based on the aforementioned criteria. The trial must be approved and funded by either: (1) NIH, (2) NIH cooperative group or center, or (3) U.S. D.H.H.S. (current as of 7/2011)
Paid Family Sick Leave
Maine does not have universal paid family leave. However, starting in 2021, private employers are required to allow employees to accrue paid sick leave up to 40 hours per year.