Requesting The Department Of Human Services' Med-quest Division To Take Steps Necessary To Ensure That Adequate Provider Rates Are Established For Applied Behavior Analysis Services.
The lack of adjustment in reimbursement rates has led to significant challenges in providing ABA services to families in need. It has been reported that ABA providers are struggling to meet the demand for services due to inadequate compensation, which could also hinder their ability to hire and retain qualified staff. The resolution points out that the reimbursement rates are not aligned with current market conditions and stresses the need to amend this disparity to ensure timely access to crucial services for children with autism.
HCR203 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the Thirty-second Legislature of Hawaii that requests the Department of Human Services' Med-QUEST Division to implement necessary steps to establish adequate provider rates for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services. The resolution highlights the importance of ABA as a medically necessary service for Med-QUEST beneficiaries under the age of twenty-one with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, emphasizing that the current reimbursement rates, set in 2015, have not seen any increases despite rising service costs.
HCR203 emerges in a context where families have experienced considerable delays in receiving ABA services, often facing years-long waitlists. The resolution underscores the claim from families that these barriers prevent them from accessing the full range of recommended services necessary for effective early intervention. Moreover, the resolution urges the Med-QUEST Division to submit a report with findings and recommendations regarding rate increases, suggesting the potential for future legislative measures aimed at improving the compensation framework for ABA services in Hawaii.