HI HB885

Prohibits health insurers from requiring preauthorization of medical services in a manner that causes undue delay in a patient's receipt of medical treatment.

Defines "undue delay" as unreasonable delays that may worsen a health condition, including insufficient time for first-time preauthorization, administrative delays, insurer communication failures, or response times exceeding Medicaid/Medicare standards for the same service.

Makes insurers civilly liable for injuries to patients caused by undue delays in preauthorization, while protecting licensed health care providers from liability for such delays.

Allows health care providers to deliver treatment without preauthorization when undue delay may worsen a patient's condition, placing burden on insurers to prove the provider lacked reasonable belief that immediate treatment was necessary.

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes chapters 431, 432, and 432D to implement these preauthorization standards for health insurance policies.