Hawaii Medicaid To Cover Outpatient Palliative Care

On May 7, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Hawaii Med-QUEST Division's (MQD's) state plan amendment (SPA) to cover outpatient, community-based, non-hospital palliative care as a new statewide benefit. Med-QUEST is the name of the state’s Medicaid program. With this approval, Hawaii becomes the first state to cover palliative care through Medicaid.

Palliative care is intended for people living with a serious illness; it differs from hospice because palliative care can be provided alongside curative services. The focus of palliative care is on providing relief from stress and . . .