Anthem plans to offer Maine's insurance program

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine has bid to be a provider in the state's Dirigo Health program, a quasi-public insurance program to subsidize healthcare coverage for uninsured individuals and small businesses. Officials in the state Office of Health Policy could not be reached for comment at deadline, but the Associated Press reported that Anthem was the only bidder. Anthem, which has 500,000 beneficiaries in Maine, said it would offer a Dirigo PPO including preventive-care benefits. -- by Jeff Tieman