Legislators consider tough medicine for HMSA

The state Legislature has waded into a dispute between the Hawaii Medical Service Association and physicians over diagnostic imaging exams — but perhaps it’s in too deep.

House Bill 2740 would hold health insurance companies liable for causing “undue delay” in medical treatment or services by requiring pre-authorization of medical tests. Its intent is a good one, taken in response to HMSA’s recent decision to cancel pre-authorization waivers that doctors used to expedite certain scans and tests. After protests by doctors and a story by Star-Advertiser reporter Kristen Consillio, HMSA said no worries — the policy change is only temporary.

Let’s hope so. The voluntary and permanent restoration of waivers would work better than a legal standard in which “undue delays,” broadly defined, could bloom into a sea of lawsuits. But if HMSA drags its feet, it will be inviting stronger regulation.