DUE TO NMIRF’S UNPAID OBLIGATION Hawaii health care providers continue to refuse CNMI patients

The CNMI Liaison Office in Honolulu has been receiving a lot of complaints from dependents of government employees studying in Hawaii due to the continuous refusal by health care providers to accept them for medical treatment unless they pay in cash.

According to Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund Board Chair Vicente Camacho, he received the reports during his last week’s visit to Honolulu where he met with the liaison officials and the Hawaii Management Alliance Association.

NMIRF has asked the government health insurance members to pay for their medical expenses first to be reimbursed later by the Fund.

More than a month since the Fund has asked the Legislature’s assistance for funding to pay off the government health insurance’s debt, NMIRF is still waiting for the response to their appeal from lawmakers.

NMIRF needs a total of $6 million to settle its financial obligation to health providers in Hawaii and Guam and hire a review utilization firm that will handle the operation of the government health insurance.

Mr. Camacho has recommended that the money needed be divided among the three island-municipalities of Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Under his proposal, Saipan is to pitch in $4 million while $1 million each from Rota and Tinian.

NMIRF officials have been looking for ways to raise funds in efforts to retire its $5 million in unpaid obligation to health providers.

Mr. Camacho has expressed concern on the failure of the government to settle the financial problem with the health providers because of its negative effect on CNMI’s reputation.

Several board members have already sought the help of the Legislature in appropriating funds settle the debts. Rep. Malua Peter, chair of the House Committee on Health and Welfare, has asked the Office of Management and Budget to look for available funds that can be appropriated to the Fund.

The board has approved in principle the hiring of HMAA which will take over the management of the health insurance but the Fund would need close to $800,000 to establish a revolving account, a trust fund and payment of set up fee.

According to Mr. Camacho, HMAA will be able to negotiate for a 20 to 50 percent discount to 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.

Operation of the government health insurance was turned over to NMIRF in June 1996 without providing the necessary funds to settle its liabilities. (LFR)