Bill > SCR10

This concurrent resolution urges the Administrator of the State Health Planning and Development Agency to establish a working group on health insurance reform to address the challenges posed by prior authorization requirements in healthcare. Prior authorization is a process where health insurers require advance approval before certain medical services, treatments, or medications are covered. The resolution calls for creating a diverse 15-member working group representing insurance companies, healthcare professionals, consumers, and employers. The group is tasked with examining federal and state laws to develop recommendations for improving prior authorization processes, including establishing reasonable response times (24 hours for urgent care, 48 hours for non-urgent care), creating longer-term authorizations for chronic conditions and medications, ensuring adverse determinations are made by appropriately licensed specialists, developing procedures to prevent retroactive denials, and exploring ways to reduce the overall volume of prior authorization requests. The working group is requested to submit a comprehensive report with findings and potential legislation recommendations to the Legislature prior to the 2026 Regular Session, with the ultimate goal of reducing administrative burdens and improving timely healthcare delivery, particularly for rural and medically underserved patients.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=10&year=2025