The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a new State Plan Amendment (SPA) to cover community palliative care services through Medicaid, making Hawaiʻi the first state in the nation to do so.

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness, with a goal of improving quality of life for both the patient and the family. 

This monumental SPA is expected to pave the way for other states that are exploring new ways to pay for interdisciplinary, community palliative care.

Although this benefit takes effect immediately, Med-QUEST will actively engage with the many stakeholders/community members who have helped over the years in developing it to work through the details for full implementation.

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