Human Resource Blog

WHCRA in Hawaii

	Benefits
Total Compensation Summary Performance Improvement Plan Performance Appraisal and Review Employee Payroll Status/Change Form Employee Change Form

	Compensation
Employee Payroll Action Form W-4 Employee Withholding Allowance Cert. Employee Payroll Status/Change Form Direct Deposit Form Total Compensation Summary

	Employment Training
Employee Warning Notice Employee Counseling Report Performance Improvement Plan Forklift Safety Kit

	Hiring and Staffing
Complete Business Forms Kit CD Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Employment Application Long Form Substance Testing Consent Form Pre-Employment Reference and Background Check Employment Offer/Acknowledgment Receipt of Employee Handbook New Hire Survey

	HR Management
Confidential Employee Folder Confidential Employee Medical Folder Job File Worksheet Folder Daily EEO Applicant Flow Log Workplace Information Sheets Request to Inspect Personnel Files

What is there for us to know in Hawaii about the WHCRA?

The Womens Health and Cancer Rights Act is a federal Act that may affect employees across the country, including in states such as Hawaii. In order for the WHCRA to impact employees, the employees need to have a health care coverage provider that covers the cost of a mastectomy. As long as the health care coverage provider covers the cost of a mastectomy, the health care coverage provider is also required by the WCHRA to cover the cost of additional treatments that are associated with the mastectomy.

With some health care coverage plans, the additional treatments that an employee might like to have may be covered. However, they are only required to be covered by the WHCRA if they are directly associated with a mastectomy.

Health care coverage providers that are included in the WHCRA include Health Maintenance Organization (HOMs), health insurance, and group policies, such as group policies that may be offered by an employer. However, in order for an employee to be affected by the WHCRA, the employee does not necessarily have to receive health care coverage through the employer.

When an employee is covered by the WHCRA, the employee may receive coverage for the cost of a mastectomy, as well as the following:

• Reconstructive surgery of the breast following the mastectomy
• Additional reconstructive surgery on the breast in order to create a symmetrical appearance
• The purchase and implantation of a prosthetic, if one is desired or needed
• Treatment for complications that may result after the mastectomy or additional surgeries
• Treatment for conditions that may result after the surgeries, including lymphoma
• Minimum hospitals stays and levels of treatment. The Act specifically prohibits employers from tampering with the duration of the hospital stay or level of treatment if the employer provides health care coverage to the employee that includes coverage for a mastectomy. CB