Article excerpted from: Ka Leo O Ke Aloha Me Ka Leo O Ke Ola
(The Voice of Aloha--The Voice of Health)
The State's Med-QUEST Division has made the following changes as of February 1, 1996:
DENTAL: For Adults (age 19 and older), QUEST will provide dental coverage ONLY FOR EMERGENCY DENTAL SERVICES. Emergency services include relief of dental pain, elimination of infection, and treatment of acute injuries to the teeth.
ACCEPTING NEW QUEST APPLICATIONS: A maximum of 125,000 people may be enrolled in QUEST at any time. (There are currently 159,000 enrolled in QUEST.) QUEST will not accept any new applications until the total enrollment is at 120,000. This rule does not apply to:
* People who receive AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) and GA (General Assistance) financial assistance.
* Pregnant women.
* Certain children up to age 19, as well as foster children and children in subsidized adoptions up to age 21.
* People who lose their employer-sponsored health coverage because of loss of employment.
QUEST MEMBERS WHO PAY A PREMIUM SHARE: Members who are disenrolled because they do not pay their required premium share will not be able to re-enroll until they pay their outstanding QUEST debt.
More Changes To Come
The State Department of Human Services is proposing further changes to the QUEST program. As your community health center, we are concerned about how these changes will affect QUEST members. We are actively involved with the QUEST administration, legislators, and other community health centers to advocate for appropriate services that meet the health and dental needs of our community.
Patients with private insurance or Med-QUEST plans, such as Aloha Care, Queens Health Care, and HMSA are accepted. The clinic will assist those without insurance.
Your Role
If you need more information on the changes call us at:
Waimanalo Health Center Phone: 259-7948
Social Worker Ruth Beauchan
Eligibility Worker Francene Leong
Customer Service Representative Mabel Ann Spencer
If you want to share your concerns on the changes, call:
State Department of Human Services
MED-QUEST: 587-3540 or 587-3546