Bill Text: HI SCR23 | 2011 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Mandatory Physical Therapy Coverage; Prescription by Board-Certified Surgeon

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-04-18 - (H) Referred to HLT/CPC, FIN, referral sheet 61 [SCR23 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2011-SCR23-Amended.html

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THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	23
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A BOARD‑CERTIFIED SURGEON FOR CHRONIC PAIN.

 

 

     WHEREAS, patients in this State who suffer chronic pain, have recurring injuries, or have more than one injury that requires physical therapy within a calendar year are currently limited to eight sessions of physical therapy covered by health care insurance per year; and

 

     WHEREAS, these patients should be offered full insurance coverage for additional physical therapy sessions only if prescribed by a board-certified surgeon and not a primary care provider; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 23‑51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that "[b]efore any legislative measure that mandates health insurance coverage for specific health services, specific diseases, or certain providers of health care services as part of individual or group health insurance policies, can be considered, there shall be concurrent resolutions passed requesting the auditor to prepare and submit to the legislature a report that assesses both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage"; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 23-51 further provides that "[t]he concurrent resolutions shall designate a specific legislative bill that:

 

     (1)  Has been introduced in the legislature; and

 

     (2)  Includes, at a minimum, information identifying the:

 

          (A)  Specific health service, disease, or provider that would be covered;

 

          (B)  Extent of the coverage;

 

          (C)  Target groups that would be covered;

 

          (D)  Limits on utilization, if any; and

 

          (E)  Standards of care.

 

For purposes of this part, mandated health insurance coverage shall not include mandated optionals"; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, further specifies the minimum information required for assessing the social and financial impact of the proposed health coverage mandate in the Auditor's report; and

 

     WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 679 (2011) mandates coverage for physical therapy that is prescribed by a board-certified surgeon to treat chronic pain for all policies and contracts, hospital and medical service plan contracts, medical service corporation contracts, and health maintenance organization plans and contracts issued after December 31, 2011; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that mandatory health insurance coverage for physical therapy for chronic pain, as provided in Senate Bill No. 679 (2011), will substantially reduce illness and assist in the maintenance of good health for the people of this State; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an impact assessment report, pursuant to sections 23‑51 and 23‑52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of the social and financial impacts of mandating coverage for physical therapy that is prescribed by a board-certified surgeon to treat chronic pain for all policies and contracts, hospital and medical service plan contracts, medical service corporation contracts, and health maintenance organization plans and contracts issued after December 31, 2011, as provided in Senate Bill No. 679 (2011); and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including any necessary implementing legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and to the Insurance Commissioner, who in turn is requested to transmit copies to each insurer in the State that issues health insurance policies.

 

 

 

Report Title: 

Mandatory Physical Therapy Coverage; Prescription by Board-Certified Surgeon