Requesting The Department Of Labor And Industrial Relations To Continue To Recognize And Accept The Right Of A Provider Of Service To Assign The Right To Participate In A Workers' Compensation Billing Dispute To A Billing Company.
The resolution highlights potential challenges that could arise if recent attempts to undermine the existing framework succeed. If opponents of this practice succeed in limiting the abilities of billing companies to participate in disputes, it may lead to adverse effects on service providers' ability to bill for and receive payments for prescribed medications. This change could ultimately hinder the workers' compensation system's fundamental objective, which is to promptly heal injured workers and facilitate their return to work.
HCR157, a House Concurrent Resolution, requests the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) to continue recognizing the right of service providers to assign their rights in workers' compensation billing disputes to billing companies. This resolution emerges from a long-standing precedent established since 2012, which has allowed billing companies to participate in disputes regarding claims made for prescription medications under workers' compensation laws. As the law currently stands, employers in Hawaii must cover workers' compensation for employees, ensuring they receive necessary medical benefits and financial compensation for workplace injuries.
Despite the support from various stakeholders who rely on billing companies, there remains contention due to recent developments that have led to ambiguity regarding the assignments of rights in billing disputes. Opponents are citing a recent decision by the DLIR that is currently under appeal, which questions the legitimacy of billing companies' participation in these disputes. This growing contention poses a risk of creating barriers that could interfere with timely reimbursements for services rendered to injured employees, thus exacerbating administrative delays and stress within the system.