URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO INCREASE REIMBURSEMENT RATES TO PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS FOR SERVICES TO MED-QUEST RECIPIENTS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 216) urges Hawaii's Department of Human Services to increase reimbursement rates paid to primary care physicians for services provided to Med-Quest recipients (Hawaii's Medicaid program). It highlights that current reimbursement rates are low, lack cost-of-living adjustments or overhead coverage, and do not account for physician experience, making it financially difficult for providers to maintain practices serving Medicaid patients. The resolution notes a decline in private practice physicians (from 75% to 10% over ten years) and aims to prevent further withdrawal of primary care access for Med-Quest enrollees. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change law but formally requests the department consider this adjustment.