Hawaii Pacific Medical Referrals says it saved the commonwealth at least $1.4 million for on-island and off-island referrals.
HPMR President and CEO Arnold M. Baptiste disclosed this during a meeting with Retirement Fund officials and staff yesterday afternoon. HPMR was awarded the contract to processed claims by commonwealth patients on Sept. 1, 2001.
Baptiste will present HPMR’s “seven-month accomplishment” to the Retirement Fund board members in future meetings.
Baptiste said they would provide more additional savings to the CNMI government.
HPMR, as third party administrator, had to go through $2.28 million worth of medical billings to check their accuracy, identify double-billings, excess and unnecessary medical charges.
HPMR said it found $700,000 worth of ineligible claimants.
There were also charges that exceeded the annual maximum plan of each patient, which amounts to $50,000.
Duplicate charges and claims as well as excess payments were also identified.
Baptiste said HMPR has a “maximum room and board allowance” under its group health plan.
“Anything beyond that has to be paid by the patient,” he said.
