STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
MED-QUEST DIVISION

PUBLIC NOTICE

Pursuant to 42 C.F.R. 447.205, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is proposing to change the methods and standards that it uses to pay dental rates for services provided on Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii under the Medicaid Program. The proposed changes will be submitted for review by the federal government as an amendment to the Medicaid State Plan, to be effective as of the day following the date of this notice.

Act 160, passed by the 2006 Legislature and signed by the Governor increased access to dental services on neighbor islands by incentivizing dental providers through increased reimbursement rates. DHS implemented the new dental rates for services effective July 1, 2008. These rates are applicable for eligible dental services provided by licensed providers delivered to children and adults on the islands of Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii. The new rates are available at http://www.med-quest.us/providers/ProvidersDental.html#ProvidersDentalfees.

All eligible providers will receive payments from estimated annual aggregate of $1.2 million in accordance with provisions established by the Department of Human Services.

A copy of the proposed changes will be available for public viewing two weeks following the publication of this notice in the Honolulu Star Bulletin, Hawaii Tribune Herald, West Hawaii Today, The Maui News, and The Garden Island. The public is invited to view the proposed changes Monday – Friday between the hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the following locations:

On Oahu: Department of Human Services
Med-QUEST Division
Policy & Program Development Office
601 Kamokila Blvd., Room 518
Kapolei, Hawaii 96707-2021
Phone: 692-8132

Mailing Address:
Med-QUEST Division
Program & Policy Development Office
P. O. Box 700190
Kapolei, Hawaii 96709-0190

On Maui: Med-QUEST Division
Maui Section
210 Imi Kala Street, Suite 101
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793
Phone: 243-5780

On Kauai: Med-QUEST Division
Kauai Section
4473 Pahee Street, Suite A
Lihue, Hawaii 96766
Phone: 241-3575

On Hawaii: Med-QUEST Division
East Hawaii Section
88 Kanoelehua Ave., Room 107
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: 933-0339

Med-QUEST Division
West Hawaii Section
Lanihau Professional Center
75-5591 Palani Road, Ste. 3004
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
Phone: 327-4970

In addition, written comments concerning the changes may be sent to P.O. Box 700190 at the Oahu mailing address noted above. Any written comments that are received may also be reviewed by the public at the locations noted above. There are currently no public hearings scheduled with respect to the changes. However, if amendments to the Hawaii Administrative Rules are deemed to be necessary, a notice of the time and place of public hearings will be published at a later time.