HI HB580

Establishes a licensure program for durable medical equipment suppliers administered by the Office of Health Care Assurance to ensure timely access to medical equipment for Medicare beneficiaries in Hawaii.

Requires suppliers to maintain a physical location in Hawaii, pass annual inspections, maintain a local phone number, have full-time staff available during business hours, and register with the state business registration division.

Imposes an annual license fee on suppliers with revenues deposited into the Office of Health Care Assurance Special Fund to support program administration.

Appropriates funding from the special fund for fiscal years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 to establish and administer the program, including one full-time position.

Exempts the licensure program from requirements under section 26H-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, citing exigent circumstances and the need for immediate implementation to address delays in equipment delivery caused by Medicare's competitive bidding program.