Hawaii Medicaid pays audio-only mental health at only 80% and requires a prior non-audio visit within 6 months

Hawaii's audio-only Medicaid coverage is restricted to mental health and is set to expire December 31, 2027. Providers must first conduct an in-person or non-audio-only telehealth visit within six months before the initial audio-only visit, and audio-only is reimbursed at only 80% of the in-person rate. This disadvantages patients who lack reliable video access or broadband and the clinicians who serve them.

Source: Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP), Hawaii state telehealth page (2026).