The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a five-year extension to the “Hawaii QUEST Integration” section 1115 demonstration. This approval extends previously approved demonstration authority, notably (1) a mandatory managed care model, (2) specialized behavioral health services to eligible populations, (3) continuous eligibility for children, (4) home and community-based services (HCBS) and personal care services to individuals meeting eligibility criteria, and (5) certain Attachment K HCBS flexibilities that were enacted by Hawaii during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and that will continue under the demonstration. The extension also continues the housing supports provided under Hawaii’s Community Integration Services program and brings them in line with the CMS framework for health-related social needs (HRSN), as well as authorizing new HRSN services related to housing.
The extension provides other new authorities to the state, including (1) HRSN services related to nutrition, (2) funding for HRSN infrastructure, (3) a contingency management pilot for Medicaid beneficiaries with a stimulant use or opioid use disorder, (4) funding for designated state health programs, (5) non-medical transportation to and from HRSN and HCBS services authorized under the demonstration, (6) Medicaid coverage up to age 26 for out-of-state former foster care youth and individuals who aged out of adoption assistance and kinship guardianship assistance agreements with other states, and (7) the reentry demonstration initiative to provide limited pre-release demonstration coverage to certain incarcerated individuals under Medicaid, for up to 90 days prior to release in jails, prisons, and youth correctional facilities.
The demonstration is effective through December 31, 2029. Today’s approval and other administrative documents can be found on the Medicaid.gov demonstration page.
