THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	809
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION TREATMENT PLANS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's current system for physicians to submit treatment plans in workers' compensation claims is in need of modernization given the advancement of technology.  The legislature further finds that allowing treatment plans to be faxed and emailed will greatly improve the efficiency of Hawaii's workers' compensation system.

     The purpose of this Act is to improve the efficiency of Hawaii's workers' compensation system by accommodating the transmittal of treatment plans through electronic media.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 386, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§386-   Treatment plans. (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, whenever a physician is required to mail a treatment plan to the employer, the physician may use facsimile, the Internet, or secure electronic mail to send the treatment plan to the employer.

(b)  Failure of the employer to file an objection to the treatment plan to the director by facsimile, the Internet, or secure electronic mail, with any applicable documentary evidence supporting the denial and a copy of the denied treatment plan, copying the physician and the injured employee, within seven calendar days after receipt of the treatment plan shall be deemed acceptance of the treatment plan.

(c)  A treatment plan shall be deemed received by an employer when the plan is sent by facsimile, the Internet, or secure electronic mail with reasonable evidence, including automatic electronic receipt, showing that the treatment plan was received.

(d)  Employers shall accept electronic submissions of treatment plans and provide an automatic electronic receipt upon such submission."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Workers' Compensation; Treatment Plans; Electronic Submission

Description:

Allows physicians to submit workers' compensation treatment plans to employers by facsimile, the Internet, or secure electronic mail.  Requires employers to accept electronically submitted treatment plans and provide an electronic receipt of the submission.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.