Department of Human Services

“The Department of Human Services (DHS) is committed to eliminating all fraud, waste and abuse. The Department appreciates the assistance of the Legislature and the State Auditor’s Office to help identify areas to reduce medical assistance program costs and to improve program integrity,” said DHS Director Patricia McManaman. “The Auditor’s Report, however, relied on outdated information and did not recognize the Department’s substantial progress under the Abercrombie Administration to enhance program integrity and eliminate abuses,” said McManaman.

Three young adults from Hawaii have received a national award that recognizes their outstanding leadership skills. The National FosterClub annually recognizes 100 young people from across the country who demonstrate leadership, personal accomplishment, educational achievement, and service to their peers. FosterClub awardees range in age from 16 -24 and have spent a portion of their childhood in foster care.

HONOLULU – Hawaii ranks best in the nation according to The Commonwealth Fund Scorecard on State Health System Performance for Low-Income Populations, 2013, a national scorecard that analyzed 30 indicators within four dimensions. Hawaii ranks in the top quartile for three of four system dimensions – Access to Affordability, Potentially Avoidable Hospital Use, and Healthy Lives. Hawaii ranks in the second quartile for the fourth indicator, Prevention and Treatment. There are currently 292,000 individuals enrolled in Hawaii Med-QUEST programs, which are administered through the Department of Human Services (DHS).

The State of Hawai’i Department of Human Services (DHS) has been awarded a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Bonus for the most improved Program Access Index for fiscal year FY 2012.

Effective October 9, 2013, eligible professionals and eligible hospitals interested in participating in the Hawaii Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program can register on the Hawaii State Level Registry (SLR) and begin the attestation process. Prior to registering on the SLR, the same professionals and hospitals must register on the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Registration and Attestation System (R&A System).

The Department of Human Services (DHS) client portal (KOLEA) will be down for routine maintenance 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 12 through 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 13. During that time, applications for medical assistance will not be processed.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is upgrading its databases that maintain medical, food assistance and financial case information. As a result, some DHS databases will be temporarily shutdown between Thursday, Sept. 26 and Monday, Sept. 30, 2013. All DHS services will be restored on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013.

The State of Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) Med-QUEST Division (MQD) has launched the Hawaii Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. Through this program, eligible professionals and eligible hospitals can receive incentive payments to adopt, implement, upgrade, or meaningfully use certified EHR technology. Eligible professionals can receive up to $63,750 over 6 years, and eligible hospitals can receive more than $5,000,000 over 4 years. The incentives are federally funded.

The Department of Human Services is pleased to announce that it has selected Albert Perez to be the Administrator for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) effective August 15, 2013. Mr. Perez has devoted 29 years of his career to the DVR.

The Hawaii State Departments of Health (DOH) and Human Services (DHS) are holding a joint community forum on Monday, July 29, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. in the Queen’s Conference Center Auditorium to outline changes in how health care services will be provided for individuals currently receiving mental health services from the state. These changes will take effect on September 1, 2013. Behavioral health stakeholders, consumers, legislators, and service providers are strongly encouraged to attend.