H.B. 687 - Insurance Coverage for Out-of-State Medical Transportation

• Requires health insurers, hospital and medical service plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover costs of medically necessary transportation to the continental United States for "qualifying patients" beginning after December 31, 2018.

• Defines "qualifying patient" as one who meets all criteria: high risk of imminent death despite available in-state treatment; has potentially reversible disease or is candidate for heart/lung transplant, ventricular assist device, or artificial heart; requires treatment unavailable in Hawaii; has no absolute contraindications to treatment; and does not have end-stage dementia, anoxic brain injury, terminal cancer, or conditions with short-term expected survival.

• Excludes coverage for patients being transported solely for cancer treatment or bone marrow transplant.

• Requires the State Auditor to conduct a study assessing the social and financial impacts of the mandated coverage requirement, with findings due to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2019 regular session.

• Effective date is July 1, 3000 (appears to be a drafting error).