STAND. COM. REP. NO.  457

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   H.B. No. 796

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 796 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to protect health care providers from recoupment inquiries initiated by accident and health or sickness insurance providers (Entities) by clarifying insurance recoupment standards in Hawaii.  Specifically this measure:

 

     (1)  Requires Entities initiating recoupment or offset demand efforts for the reimbursement of insurance to send written notice to a health care provider at least 30 calendar days prior to initiating the demand efforts; and

 

     (2)  Prohibits, subject to certain exceptions, an Entity from initiating any recoupment or offset efforts more than 12 months after an initial claim payment was received by a health care provider.

 

     The Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and Hawaii Psychological Association testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Hawaii Medical Service Association provided comments.  

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 796, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 796, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair