by Krystal Paco

Guam - Following the public hearing on Bill 94 relative to prompt payment requirements for health care and health insurance benefits, Senator Rory Respicio has written to Guam Memorial Hospital administrator Joseph Verga on whether Calvo's SelectCare insurance owes money to the hospital.

As stated at the public hearing, SelectCare officials indicated they did not owe money to the hospital, but postings on the GMH website as required by law indicate otherwise.

As requested by Respicio, Verga tells KUAM SelectCare owes slightly less than the $3.9 million reported online. After verifying the numbers, the insurance company owes $3.2 million.

The same report shows a balance of $3.2 million owed by TakeCare, $2.2-million by Staywell, and $800-thousand by Netcare.

Verga says he may not have testified at the public hearing earlier this week, but does support Bill 94 which amends the prompt payment act from 45 days to 21 days for health insurance plans to process and pay billings as well as raise penalties for late payments.