House Approves IME Qualification, Pay Raise for Treating Firefighter Cancer Claims

The Hawaii House of Representatives passed bills that would set minimum qualification standards for doctors performing independent medical evaluations and increase reimbursement for treatment provided to firefighters with occupational cancer claims. The House unanimously passed HB 1778, by Rep. Scott Saiki, D-McCully, which would set the minimum reimbursement for doctors treating firefighter cancer claims at 110% of the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale fee schedule amount. The bill includes language to set a maximum cap but does not specify an actual maximum reimbursement. The Ho...