Health care providers are bidding to participate in state of Hawaii Medicaid programs for low-income residents, known as QUEST.

The Department of Human Services said Monday it will issue new contracts by the end of the year that are aimed at lowering costs to the state, improving health access and increasing the use of technology.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie says changing the way Medicaid programs operate will help address the soaring costs of health care.

The health plans must cover at least 10 annual inpatient days, 20 yearly outpatient visits, prescription medications, diabetes supplies, vaccines and emergency services.

The state’s current QUEST providers are AlohaCare, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, Kapiolani HealthHawaii, Queen’s Hawaii and StraubCare Quantum.