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HI SB2031
Bill
AI Summary
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Establishes a licensure requirement for durable medical equipment suppliers participating in the nationwide Medicare competitive bidding program, administered through annual inspections by the Executive Office on Aging.
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Requires licensed suppliers to maintain an appropriate physical location within Hawaii, a working local telephone number, a full-time employee available during business hours, and current business registration with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
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Addresses access issues for Medicare beneficiaries in Hawaii caused by the competitive bidding program, which has resulted in only 13 of 97 selected vendors being located in-state, with typical wait times of 4-8 weeks for equipment delivery.
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Notes that Hawaii already has the lowest per-capita durable medical equipment costs in the nation ($82.54 per beneficiary versus $230.16 nationally) and that reduced reimbursement rates are unsustainable given Hawaii's higher cost of living.
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Effective date is July 1, 2112.
Legislative Description
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Physical Presence; Durable Medical Equipment
Last Action
Report adopted. referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Fukumoto, Jordan voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Tokioka, Ward, Yamane excused (3).
3/21/2014