THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

172

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the DEPARTMENT of human services' med-quest DIVISION to advocate that the state increase medicaid reimbursements to dentists and, upon an increase approval, to proactively inform both dental service providers and medicaid beneficiaries of new rate plans.

 

 

     WHEREAS, preventative dental cleanings and early treatment result in a lower cost to the State's health care system than emergency room treatment; and

 

     WHEREAS, many of the State's low-income residents delay dental care, ultimately resulting in their turning to emergency rooms, which can only stabilize patients and are unable to do more specialized dentistry procedures that patients often need; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Executive Supplemental Budget for fiscal year 2023 allocated over $25,000,000 to the Department of Human Services' Med-QUEST Division to expand services, including restoring full dental benefits for adults; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Governor announced that his proposed budget seeks $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates up to one hundred percent of Medicare reimbursement rates; and

 

     WHEREAS, the expanded Med-QUEST dental benefits include basic preventative services such as teeth cleaning, x-rays, and exams and basic restoration procedures for chewing functions, fillings, and crowns; and

 

     WHEREAS, Medicaid beneficiaries should be informed of the restoration of benefits so they can receive proper dental care; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Department of Human Services' Med-QUEST Division is urged to advocate that the State increase Medicaid reimbursements to dentists and, upon an increase approval, proactively inform both dental service providers and Medicaid beneficiaries of new rate plans and covered services; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Med-QUEST; Department of Human Services; Dentists