HI SCR10

Urges the Administrator of the State Health Planning and Development Agency to establish a working group on health insurance reform to address prior authorization requirements that delay medical treatments and tests.

Working group to include 15 members: five from the insurance industry (selected by Hawaii Association of Health Plans), five from licensed health care professionals (selected by medical and nursing associations), and five from consumers/employers (selected by various health organizations).

Director of Health, Insurance Commissioner, and Med-QUEST Division Administrator requested to serve as ex-officio members.

Working group directed to evaluate prior authorization response times (24 hours for urgent, 48 hours for non-urgent), medication authorization validity periods of at least one year, chronic condition treatment authorizations, and requirements that adverse determinations be made by same-specialty licensed providers.

Working group to submit findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the Legislature by 20 days before the 2026 Regular Session convenes.