THE Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. intends to reform medical referral program practices, policies, and procedures, CHCC Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna said on Friday.
“We want to make sure that any [reformed] policies and procedures…will address [the CNMI’s needs] and see what best works for our people here, as services may be needed beyond CHCC and what’s available here in the CNMI,” she said.
She added that the hospital will also be taking into consideration the recommendations made by CNMI lawmakers during recent hearings.
She said CHCC has been reviewing the accounts of those availing themselves of medical referral services.
The program was placed under the Office of the Governor nearly a decade ago, but was recently returned to CHCC’s supervision.
During the ongoing transition period, CHCC is conducting employee orientation for the program office staff.
In a report last month, the Office of the Public Auditor said the program lacks internal controls pertaining to its contracts and agreements; does not have a legal basis to execute promissory notes; and is not compliant with applicable laws and internal policies.
OPA made the following recommendations to the medical referral office:
1) Develop a plan to meet with all stakeholders and establish proper internal controls to ensure an affordable, effective, and equitable program.
2) Collaborate with applicable stakeholders to review previously executed contracts and/or agreements and renegotiate terms to ensure a cost effective and equitable program.
3) Implement standard operating procedures to ensure proper reconciliation of all vendor billings and payments.
4) Seek additional assistance from the Office of the Attorney General for further proceedings pertaining to the collection of promissory note(s) payments.
5) Implement standard operating procedures to ensure fair and equitable assessment of patient and escort eligibility in compliance with the applicable requirements established in laws and internal policies.
6) Negotiate and establish an agreement with applicable travel agencies to ensure cost-effective airfare rates for patients and escorts.
7) Implement standard operating procedures for the three medical referral offices (Saipan, Guam and Hawaii) to safeguard inventory of all used and unused checks.
Through the years, the main concern about medical referrals is the government’s failure to appropriate adequate funding for the program.
