Relating To Medical Records.
The legislation modifies Chapter 622 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, instituting specific timeframes and requirements for healthcare providers when managing patient requests for medical records and billing details. By establishing penalties for non-compliance, the bill reinforces the obligation of healthcare providers to honor patient requests efficiently. This change is expected to empower patients by giving them more control and visibility over their financial interactions with healthcare entities, thereby leading to better patient satisfaction and trust.
SB368 aims to enhance patient access to their medical billing records by establishing clear guidelines for healthcare providers in Hawaii. The bill mandates that healthcare providers must provide detailed copies of a patient's billing records within ten working days after a request is made. This provision aims to improve transparency in healthcare billing and ensure patients are well-informed about their charges and credits on their accounts. Additionally, if a patient has a credit remaining after services have been rendered, the healthcare provider is required to notify the patient in writing.
While the bill is designed to promote patient rights, discussions surrounding it may highlight concerns regarding the administrative burden posed on healthcare providers, particularly smaller practices. Some stakeholders might argue that the ten-day response requirement could be challenging to meet without adequate resources, potentially leading to questions about the bill's feasibility and impact on healthcare service delivery. Overall, the bill represents an effort to balance patient access to information with the operational capacities of healthcare providers.