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 bill is poised to address significant challenges faced by applied behavior analysis service providers, including an inability to hire and retain qualified staff due to below-market reimbursement rates. As wages in Hawaii have risen by 30% since 2015, ABA providers are struggling to meet the high demand for services among Med-QUEST beneficiaries. Families often encounter long wait times and limitations in accessing recommended service levels for their children, showing a pressing need for policy change.
HR207 requests the Department of Human Services' Med-QUEST Division to take necessary actions to ensure that adequate provider rates for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services are established. The bill highlights that ABA is a critical medically necessary service for individuals under 21 with autism spectrum disorder. Currently, the reimbursement rates for these services, set back in 2015, have not been updated, prompting issues in service availability across the state.
While the aim of HR207 is to increase provider rates for ABA services, there may be contention surrounding budgetary implications and the potential impact on other state-funded services. Further, by requesting a report with findings and recommendations on appropriate reimbursement rates, it opens the floor for discussions around state budget allocations and priorities in the realm of social services, particularly concerning Medicaid funding.