FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The state has adopted changes to the physician, drug and biological (ASP), clinical lab and DME fee schedules with an effective date of January 1, 2018. The next update is expected January 2019.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Hawaii has published the 2018 maximum weekly wage base and maximum weekly benefit amount.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Published a notice regarding classifying worker exposure to SARS-COV-2.  To view the notice, go to http://labor.hawaii.gov/blog/news/classifying-worker-exposure-to-covid-19/.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Published a notice regarding classifying worker exposure to SARS-COV-2.  To view the notice, go to http://labor.hawaii.gov/blog/news/classifying-worker-exposure-to-covid-19/.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR) Disability Compensation Division (DCD) is looking to implement a new case management system that incorporates the Workers’ Compensation (WC), Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI), Prepaid Health Care (PHC), and Professional Employer Organization (PEO) programs. External Stakeholders will be able to create an account, login, process claims, petition for a hearing, and receive case updates. For additional information, go to http://labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/dcd-ecms-modernization-project/.

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

•  The state has adopted a new fee schedule effective January 1, 2020. The next update is expected January 2021.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Division has published the 2020 Maximum Weekly Wage Base and Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount. To view the information, go to http://labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/news/2020-max-wage-base/ .

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS:

• House Bill 390

Makes permanent Act 172, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, which: (1) grants employees the right to have a chaperone present during a medical examination relating to a workers' compensation work injury and, with the approval of the examining physician or surgeon, to record the examination; and (2) provides that if an employee or employee's chaperone obstructs the medical examination, the employee's right to workers’ compensation shall be suspended until the refusal or obstruction ceases. Effective Date June 29, 2019.

• House Bill 1272

Authorizes pharmacies to accept the return of any prescription drug for disposal via collection receptacles or mail-back programs; prohibits pharmacies from re-dispensing returned prescription drugs or accepting returned prescription drugs in exchange for cash or credit; requires the pharmacist-in-charge to ensure that only authorized reverse distributors acquire prescription drugs collected via collection receptacles or mail-back programs. Effective Date July 1, 2019.

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The state has adopted a new fee schedule effective January 1, 2019. The next update is expected January 2020.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted the 2019 Maximum weekly wage base and benefit amount. To view the posting, go to http://labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/news/2019-maximum-weekly-wage-base-and-benefit-amount/.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Form HC-5 Employee Notification to Employer for Calendar Year 2019 is available.  To view the form, go to http://labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/forms/.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The list of certified rehabilitation providers is available on the Guidelines page under “Workers’ Compensation.” Click on Certified Rehabilitation Provider List to view the document. To view the list, go to http://labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/forms/guidelines/.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS:

• House Bill 1778

Improves access for firefighters to comprehensive medical benefits under the Workers' Compensation Law upon diagnosis of cancer that is presumed to arise out of and in the course of employment. Requires private health care plans to pay for or provide medical care, services, and supplies to injured employees for controverted workers' compensation claims that are accepted or determined to be compensable. Effective Date July 6, 2018.

• House Bill 2375

The enacted legislation permits advanced practice registered nurses to certify an employee's disability. Increases the penalty an employer is assessed for failing to submit timely wage and employment information. Permits filing of an appeal of a decision related to temporary disability insurance at the various offices of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations throughout the State. Allows the department to send notices of hearing electronically or by first-class mail. Clarifies that when the notice of hearing cannot be delivered to a party in the appeal, the notice may be given by online posting on the department's webpage. Allows the parties to a hearing to appear in person, via telephone, or by other communication devices. Effective Date July 11, 2018.

• Senate Bill 2244

The enacted legislation requires health care providers in the workers' compensation system who are authorized to prescribe opioids to adopt and maintain policies for informed consent to opioid therapy in circumstances that carry elevated risk of dependency. Establishes limits for concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions. Effective Date July 11, 2018.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted a summary of the 2018 Amendments to the Hawaii temporary disability insurance law effective July 10, 2018.  To view the summary, go to http://labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/news/2018-amendments-to-the-hawaii-temporary-disability-insurance-law-effective-july-10-2018/.