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Airfare, housing, transportation coverage continues for medical referrals
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Posted on Jun 23 2023
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. continues to pay for the airfare, housing, and transportation for participants of the Health Network Program, formerly known as the Medical Referral program.
A CHCC statement yesterday assured that CHCC CEO Esther Muña, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang have been continuously working closely together to address the shortfall of the HNP. As a result, the CNMI government was able to transfer more funds to HNP and confirmed how future funds will be transferred throughout fiscal year 2023, or until Sept. 30, 2023.
“We will continue to work with CHCC, the CNMI Legislature, and other partners to help ensure the sustainability of the Health Network Program,” Palacios said. “Access to quality healthcare, expanding healthcare workforce capacity, and addressing gaps in healthcare coverage are top priorities for Lt. Gov. Apatang and I, and we will keep the community updated on the work and progress made on these efforts.”
Muña said that CHCC is thankful for the additional funds that were transferred to CHCC and the administration’s support for HNP. “The additional funding will enable us to provide more robust services to our patients and strengthens our commitment to the health and welfare of the CNMI,” she added.
Since the transfer of the Medical Referral Program to CHCC and the passage of Public Law 22-33, which created the HNP, there have been no changes in the regulations. However, the program exercises caution in its expenditures while adhering to the regulations.
Steps taken include clarifying ambiguities and updating the income eligibility, which determines who is eligible for benefits of the program—air transportation, accommodations, ground transportation, and subsistence. Recent cost-cutting measures have included the termination of blocked rooms in Guam and Hawaii (this does not affect the eligible program participant’s benefits for lodging coverage).
Yesterday’s CHCC news release assured that it is working closely with the CNMI Executive Branch and lawmakers to ensure that program funding is available.
Reach an HNP staff member at (670) 323-1445 or email hsnp@chcc.health. (Saipan Tribune)
