SB1647

Appropriates funds to ensure primary care physicians serving med-QUEST recipients receive adequate reimbursement.

The bill addresses low reimbursement rates for physicians in commercial health insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare plans in Hawaii, which have not increased to reflect cost of living or physician experience. It aims to prevent physicians from leaving private practice and ensure they can continue serving med-QUEST recipients without financial loss. The bill appropriates $20,000,000 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 for direct payments to primary care physicians for services provided to med-QUEST recipients, to be managed by the Department of Human Services.