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Table of Contents
Telemental / Telehealth Health Regulation in Hawaii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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I. What are the licensure requirements in Hawaii for telehealth mental health care?

Hawaii’s licensure requirements protect practitioners, especially those on smaller islands who serve sparse populations. For this reason, Hawaii isn’t a part of any interstate health compacts, although it does allow telehealth and telemental appointments. It has also expanded telemedicine access during emergencies, but in ways that benefit patient needs without hurting small practices, which could lead to a shortage of doctors.

Requirements for out-of-state treatment

Hawaii law, established by HRS 453, requires medical care providers to be licensed in the state to provide services to its citizens and demands you establish a doctor-patient relationship in person on the first visit. Exceptions to this rule include out-of-state radiologists and virtual consultations. Executive Order 20-02 suspended HRS 453 during the COVID-19 emergency and has been extended to April 13, 2021, by the Eighteenth Proclamation issued by the governor.

Emergency licensure

During the emergency period and any further extensions, you can establish a relationship with any doctor virtually and can have telemedicine appointments with an out-of-state provider who’s not currently licensed in Hawaii. Once the emergency period has ended, HRS 453 allows temporary and limited licenses to be issued to out-of-state practitioners in the event of a shortage of doctors.

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II. What are the online prescribing regulations in Hawaii?

HRS 453 requires a doctor to first see you face-to-face before prescribing medications during any subsequent virtual visits unless another physician who saw you in person has referred them. Some telehealth appointments may not require an in-person visit before prescribing medications, such as when a medical provider is on call or when a follow-up visit is arranged. Prescriptions for opiates or cannabis require an in-person visit to establish the doctor-patient relationship. The COVID-19 emergency proclamation has temporarily suspended most of these prescription requirements.

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III. What are other common telehealth restrictions in Hawaii?

Hawaii has adopted standard telehealth services outlined by Medicaid, with the additional requirement that you have the first appointment in person. This restriction protects physicians with practices on smaller islands from losing patients to larger practices on more populated islands or the mainland.

Types of telehealth services allowed

Hawaii law permits reimbursement for four telemedicine modalities, as defined by Medicaid:

  • Live consultation
  • Store-and-forward technologies
  • Remote monitoring
  • Mobile health

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Real-time video conferencing-based communication
  • Secure interactive and non‑interactive web-based communication to transmit patient medical information

Covered telehealth services in Hawaii do not include fax, e-mail, text, or audio-only telephone communication. Confirmation of incidences of reimbursement for Medicaid store-and-forward technologies is still outstanding.

Types of providers allowed to offer telehealth services

According to HRS 453, telehealth services may be provided by, or under the direction of in the case of a physician’s assistant, a physician or an osteopathic physician. There are no stated restrictions on what medical professionals may provide telehealth services, as long as they are licensed to practice. This includes any telehealth services conducted for the treatment of disease, including hypnosis and any telemental services you may need.

Emergency allowances

Normally, you must start a physician-patient relationship in person before having telehealth appointments. The suspension of this requirement during the COVID-19 emergency makes it possible for you to have your first visit with a medical provider virtually.

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IV. Telehealth provider resources in Hawaii

To find out more about telehealth policies in Hawaii or for additional information about how to find a provider who offers telehealth services, please review the following sources.

Hawaii Department of Health

The Hawaii Department of Health is a resource for information about telehealth services and provides updates about COVID-19. You may also find information about Medicaid eligibility and what telehealth services are covered.

Contact Information: Website | 808-586-4400

Med-QUEST Division of the Hawaii Department of Human Services

This is Hawaii’s main website for information about Medicaid eligibility and coverage. You can click on the provider directory to find physicians who offer telehealth services.

Contact Information: Website | 800-316-8005

Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center

The Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center is operated by the University of Hawaii, Manoa, and provides information about telehealth services and how they are impacted by COVID-19.

Contact Information: Website | 808-956-2897

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author-img
Bridget Russell
LCSW

Bridget Russell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California with specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and managing chronic health conditions. She is a senior manager of oncology patient access at Amgen in Los Angeles. Russell received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from California State University Northridge in 2011 and her master’s degree in mental health and medical social work from University of Washington in 2015. She’s been a social worker since 2015.

After her master’s program, Russell worked as an inpatient and outpatient medical social worker at a Level 1 Trauma hospital helping patients and families navigate health and mental health challenges. She provided psychosocial support and also enabled patients with therapeutic techniques and strategies to address medical and emotional trauma as well as grief and loss.

Russell works in the patient engagement space, creating patient support programs to help people access necessary support during their oncology journey. She also works in private practice as a telehealth therapist, specializing in helping adults navigate job and relationship stress, new life transitions, and managing ongoing anxiety and depression. Her mission is to empower her clients to live productive and healthy lives while growing into the best versions of themselves based on their values, goals, and aspirations.

author-img
Bridget Russell
LCSW

Bridget Russell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California with specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and managing chronic health conditions. She is a senior manager of oncology patient access at Amgen in Los Angeles. Russell received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from California State University Northridge in 2011 and her master’s degree in mental health and medical social work from University of Washington in 2015. She’s been a social worker since 2015.

After her master’s program, Russell worked as an inpatient and outpatient medical social worker at a Level 1 Trauma hospital helping patients and families navigate health and mental health challenges. She provided psychosocial support and also enabled patients with therapeutic techniques and strategies to address medical and emotional trauma as well as grief and loss.

Russell works in the patient engagement space, creating patient support programs to help people access necessary support during their oncology journey. She also works in private practice as a telehealth therapist, specializing in helping adults navigate job and relationship stress, new life transitions, and managing ongoing anxiety and depression. Her mission is to empower her clients to live productive and healthy lives while growing into the best versions of themselves based on their values, goals, and aspirations.

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V. Sources

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