STAND. COM. REP. 3337
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2004
RE: S.C.R. No. 106
S.D. 1
Honorable Robert Bunda
President of the Senate
Twenty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2004
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Human Services and Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 106 entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING AN INQUIRY INTO THE DELAYS IN PAYMENT TO DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY PROVIDERS,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services to work collaboratively to address the issue of prompt and timely payment to developmental disability providers.
Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Arc of Kauai, Alternative Care Services, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, Arc in Hawaii, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, and Easter Seals Hawaii. Comments were submitted by the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Affiliated Computer Services.
In October 2002, the Department of Human Services implemented a new computer billing system through Affiliated Computer Services. Since then the providers have been experiencing delays in receiving reimbursements for their services rendered. Some of these providers were considering closing or reducing necessary services due to the financial burden of the nonpayment. This measure is an attempt to encourage the departments to expedite a resolution to this issue.
Upon further consideration, your Committees have amended the measure to include the following:
(1) Acknowledging that both departments are currently working to resolve this issue but further investigation into the problems is needed;
(2) Adding tasks for the departments' immediate action, such as identifying specific problems with solutions to expedite the processing of claims on a timely basis;
(3) Requesting the departments to submit a quarterly report beginning July 1, 2004;
(4) Requesting the departments to submit a report of their findings and recommendations no later than June 30, 2004; and
(5) Adding organizations to receive certified copies of this measure.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 106, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 106, S.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Health,
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____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair |
____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair |
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