HI SCR216

Urges the Department of Human Services to increase reimbursement rates for primary care physicians providing services to med-QUEST recipients

Notes that current reimbursement rates in commercial health insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare plans lack cost of living increases or overhead reimbursements for physicians

States that reimbursement rates do not increase to reflect years of physician experience, unlike common practices in other fields

Identifies concern that low reimbursement rates may cause physicians to refuse care to med-QUEST patients or abandon private practice; notes only 10% of Hawaii physicians are in private practice compared to 75% ten years ago

Requires transmission of a certified copy of the resolution to the Director of Human Services