SB 283 Summary

• Requires Hawaii's Medicaid programs to provide coverage for ambulance services beginning January 1, 2022, and authorizes optional coverage for statewide community paramedicine services provided by emergency medical technicians or paramedics.

• Mandates all individual and group accident and health insurance policies issued or renewed in Hawaii on or after January 1, 2022, to cover ambulance services and statewide community paramedicine services.

• Requires all hospital and medical service plan contracts issued or renewed in Hawaii on or after January 1, 2022, to cover ambulance services and community paramedicine services.

• Directs the State Auditor to conduct a study assessing the social and financial effects of the mandated coverage and submit findings and recommendations to the legislature by twenty days before the 2022-2023 legislative session convenes.

• Appropriates general revenues to the Department of Human Services for fiscal year 2022-2023 to cover costs of collectively bargained requirements and personnel costs arising from Medicaid ambulance service coverage (amount left blank in bill).