H.B. 1812 Summary

• Authorizes health care surrogates appointed under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 327E-5 to act as medicaid authorized representatives for patients who lack decision-making capacity.

• Allows surrogates to assist with medicaid applications, eligibility redetermination, and ongoing medicaid communications with the Department of Human Services on behalf of the patient.

• Grants surrogates access to the patient's medicaid records and requires them to maintain confidentiality in compliance with all state and federal confidentiality laws.

• Specifies that a surrogate's status as a medicaid authorized representative terminates when the patient regains capacity, an agent or guardian is appointed or becomes available, or upon the patient's death.

• Effective upon approval.