Bill > HB700

This bill establishes a comprehensive approach to cognitive assessments for Medicare beneficiaries in Hawaii, addressing the growing challenge of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The legislation mandates standardized cognitive assessments during annual wellness visits for Medicare Part B and Part C beneficiaries aged 65 and older, using validated assessment tools, while allowing patients to decline the assessment. The bill creates a two-year Dementia Data Pilot Program within the Executive Office on Aging to collect and analyze cognitive assessment data, requiring healthcare providers to submit annual reports with de-identified information such as patient demographics, assessment types, results, and follow-up actions. Importantly, the bill includes exemptions for healthcare providers who don't accept Medicare, patients already diagnosed with dementia, and those unable to undergo assessments due to physical or mental impairments. The legislation aims to improve early detection of cognitive decline, potentially reducing healthcare costs and enabling better care planning, with a specific focus on Hawaii's rapidly expanding older population. The collected data will be reported to the Legislature and made publicly available, with strict provisions to protect patient privacy and confidentiality.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=700&year=2025