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297 health providers seek payment from NMIRF
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Posted on Oct 02 2000
Some 297 health providers, majority of which are from Hawaii, are demanding payment totaling $5,087,195 from the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund.
According to documents submitted to the House Committee on Health and Welfare, the Fund has so far processed claims amounting to $1,794.243.
Rep. Malua Peter, chair of the committee, urged Friday the Office of Management and Budget to identify some funds that can be earmarked by the Legislature for payment to these health providers.
“Until such time we are able to identify such funds can we schedule payments to them. In the meantime, I am worried that there are off-island members of the government health insurance who may be turned away by the hospitals in Hawaii because the Fund has not paid its debt,” said Rep. Peter.
NMIRF Board members have sought the help of the Legislature for funding to wipe out the debt. The House Committee on Health and Welfare said it is willing to help bail out the Fund’s health insurance provided it will hire a review utilization firm.
The board has approved in principle the hiring of Hawaii Management Alliance Association which will not only provide utilization review services but will also pave the way for the privatization of the government health insurance.
HMAA will be able to get 20 to 50 percent discount from some 30-member hospitals and clinics. The company has in-house doctors who will analyze the billings and a pharmaceutical benefits manager who monitors the prices of medicine.
But the hiring of HMAA would again need some financial assistance from the Legislature since the Fund would need close to $800,000 to establish a revolving account, a trust fund and set up fee.
Operation of the government health and life insurance was turned over to NMIRF in June 1996 without providing any funding which left the Fund without any choice but to settle its liabilities. (LFR)
