Hawaii QUEST Program Moves From Managed Care Dental Reimbursements to Fee-For-Service Structure
Beginning Oct. 1, Hawaii's QUEST, the state's managed health care program for low-income individuals, will increase Medicaid reimbursements for dentists by switching from a managed care payment structure back to a traditional fee-for-service system, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports. In the past, reimbursement rates have been set by the state Legislature, but the final version of the new dental fee schedule will be established with "input from private dentists." Currently, dentists are reimbursed at about 40% of cost, but Dr. Mark Greer, chief of the state Dental Health Division, expects the new rate to cover "at least" 75% of dentists' costs (Altonn, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 9/23).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
