Hawaii Senate Bill SB2464

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/24
• Refer: 1/24/24

Caption

Relating To Health Care Provider Credentialing.

Impact

By permitting health care organizations to accept credentialing from various accredited bodies and state agencies, SB2464 is set to enhance the efficiency of health care system operations. It establishes a health care credentialing clearinghouse pilot program, which proposes a centralized resource to streamline credentialing workstreams and minimize repetitive tasks. This program would not only benefit health care providers through simplified credentialing but also reduce costs by lowering the need for multiple entities to conduct full credentialing assessments independently.

Summary

Senate Bill 2464 aims to streamline the credentialing process for health care providers in Hawaii by allowing certain health organizations and state agencies to credential providers in a manner that reduces duplication and administrative burdens. The bill recognizes that credentialing is an essential safety component that verifies the qualifications of health care professionals, yet the existing process has been noted to be time-consuming and redundant. This legislation seeks to alleviate this issue by establishing a mechanism in which providers can be deemed fully credentialed by accepted organizations, thereby facilitating their participation in health plan networks.

Contention

While the bill aims for increased efficiency, there is recognition of potential uneven distribution of burdens associated with reciprocal credentialing. Stakeholders express concerns about how the implementation may vary across different regions or providers, potentially complicating access to care. Furthermore, the state's role in this new framework must be clearly defined to ensure that resources are used effectively and that the goals of streamlined processes are met without detrimental effects on the quality of health care delivery.