Study of Proposed Mandatory Health Insurance for Clinical Victim Support Services for Victims of Sexual Violence and Abuse

From Hawaii State Auditor, December, 2019

HOUSE BILL NO. 484, introduced during the 2019 legislative session, would require health insurers to provide clinical victim support services coverage to victims of sexual violence and abuse. The services are defined in the bill as follows:

• Coordinating with other health care providers;

• Assisting victims of sexual violence in obtaining appropriate government entitlements, access, insurance coverage, and other appropriate programs and services offered by government agencies and community organizations; and

• Coordinating with schools, employers, and other individuals and entities concerning a victim of sexual violence.

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Recommendation

We were unable to determine how many sexual violence victims received, or are currently receiving, support services as described in House Bill No. 484. However, the State’s three largest providers, who insure 73 percent of Hawai‘i residents, stated those services are already covered. Once the State’s two largest insurers both have medical codes in place, they will be able to track how often the services are being provided and billed for, and whether the claims are being approved by insurers. This data will be helpful to the Legislature if it considers mandating health insurance coverage for these support services in the future.

Summary  |  Full Report

HB484: Text, Status