Opinion ID: 871144
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Pay all undisputed charges within thirty days

Text: after the insurer has received reasonable proof of the fact and amount of benefits accrued and demand for payment thereof; and (2) Negotiate in good faith with the provider on the disputed charges for a period up to sixty days -12-  FOR PUBLICATION IN W EST’S HAW AII REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER  after the insurer has received reasonable proof of the fact and amount of benefits accrued and demand for payment thereof. If the provider and the insurer are unable to resolve the dispute[,] after a period of sixty days pursuant to paragraph (2), the provider, insurer, or claimant may submit the dispute to the commissioner, arbitration, or court of competent jurisdiction. The parties shall include documentation of the efforts of the insurer and the provider to reach a negotiated resolution of the dispute. This section shall not be subject to the requirements of section 431:10C-304(3) with respect to all disputes about the amount of a charge or the correct fee and procedure code to be used under the workers' compensation supplemental medical fee schedule. An insurer who disputes the amount of a charge or the correct fee or procedure code under this section shall not be deemed to have denied a claim for benefits under section 431:10C-304(3); provided that the insurer shall pay what the insurer believes is the amount owed and shall furnish a written explanation of any adjustments to the provider and to the claimant at no charge, if requested. The provider, claimant, or insurer may submit any dispute involving the amount of a charge or the correct fee or procedure code to the commissioner, to arbitration, or to a court of competent jurisdiction. SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 2006 Haw. Sess. Laws Act 198, §§ 1-4 at 840-41 (effective June 14, 2006).