Consumers warned of insurance scheme

GARDINER — Insurance Superintendent Eric Cioppa today announced that four companies must cease doing business in Maine and pay civil penalties in the amount of $260,000, in addition to restitution and interest, resulting from a fraudulent health insurance scheme.

Following a June 20 hearing, United States Contractors Trust (USCT), Real Benefits Association (RBA), Metropolitan Business Alliance, LLC (also known as National Association of Business Leadership, NABL), and Access Health Now (AHN) were found to have violated Maine’s insurance laws and were ordered to stop doing business in Maine and to pay benefits due under existing policies.

As a result of consumer complaints of unpaid medical bills, the Bureau of Insurance initiated an investigation and found that USCT, RBA, and NABL engaged in unlicensed insurance transactions, and AHN assisted in these transactions.

Consumers and providers who have not received payment for medical bills from these companies are encouraged to notify the Bureau. For further assistance, Maine consumers should contact the Bureau by phone at 624-8475 or toll-free at (800) 300-5000 and ask for Kelly Rogers.

They can also contact the Bureau by e-mail at insurance.pfr@maine.gov (include USCT/NABL in the subject line); or by mail: USCT/NABL Consumer Assistance, Maine Bureau of Insurance, 34 State House Station, Augusta ME 04333-0034.