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Hawaii Health Insurance Companies
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Hawaii Health Insurance Options
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How to Get the Most Savings
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Hawaii Health Insurance FAQS
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How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Hawaii
Hawaii Health Insurance Companies
There are 4 companies that provide individual and family health insurance plans in Hawaii:
HMSA
With the biggest network of pharmacies and physicians in the state, HMSA is Hawaii’s largest healthcare provider. HMSA also has urgent care facilities available to HMSA insurance members throughout the islands. HMSA offers 2 options each for Bronze, Silver, and Gold tier plans, as well as a Platinum plan and a catastrophic plan.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente has one of the most comprehensive medical care systems in Hawaii. They have more than 450 primary care providers and specialists in their network, and around 18 clinics throughout the state.
AlohaCare
AlohaCare provides QUEST integration health plans to residents. QUEST is the state’s Medicaid program, which offers low-cost and free health plans to individuals and families who qualify for the program. They offer full coverage for:
- Doctor visits
- Family planning services
- Hospital services
- Rehabilitation services
- Prescription drugs
- Preventive care services
- Vision and hearing services
- Tests and lab services
- Long-term services and supports
- Telehealth appointments
- Health Coordination
Ohana Health Plan
Ohana Health Plan offers Medicare Advantage plans, as well as a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan and the Ohana dual special needs plan (D-SNP). The HMO plan allows access to a large network of hospitals and medical professionals, as well as other extras like vision and dental coverage.
The D-SNP plan is a specialized Medicare Advantage plan. It offers benefits for members that have both Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
Health Insurance Marketplace in Hawaii
If you’re looking for health insurance in Hawaii, a great place to start is the health insurance Marketplace. Marketplace health insurance, which was created by the Affordable Care Act, offers certain consumer protections, guarantees coverage for pre-existing conditions, and includes coverage for what’s known as the “10 essential health benefits”:
- Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care)
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (including counseling and psychotherapy)
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren’t essential health benefits)
Each of the ACA-compliant plans offered on the Marketplace are divided into different levels, known as metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These tiers do not signal a difference in quality of care, though. The tiers differ in your out-of-pocket costs versus what your plan covers.
It’s important to remember that the Marketplace only offers the plans of participating providers. So unfortunately, while the Marketplace is a great tool, you may not be able to compare every plan available to you.
Over half of the uninsured in Hawaii who qualify for Marketplace insurance coverage could get a Bronze plan for FREE.
Hawaii’s Short Term Health Insurance Guidelines
If you’ve missed the OEP or have a need for health insurance for a short amount of time, short-term plans are a great option. It’s important to note, though, that these policies tend to only cover the basics, and you can be denied one of these plans if you have a pre-existing condition.
There are some rules around short-term plans, though, both at the federal and the state level. Unlike some states, Hawaii does have separate guidelines for short-term health insurance plans that have been set at the state level. But with that being said, short-term plans are currently not available for purchase in your state as of 2018. The original guidelines stated that plans could last for up to 90 days, and they were strictly limited.
Hawaii Health Insurance Options
There are plenty of ways to get great health insurance coverage in your state. You can get private health insurance for individuals or families by buying directly from a health insurance company, or you can use the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.
Another way to get health insurance is through your employer. The Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act actually requires employers in your state to offer employees who work more than 20 hours a week an insurance option. Your employer’s group health insurance plan is worth looking into, since employer-sponsored plans are often cheaper than individual plans.
You can also look into government assistance programs. QUEST is Hawaii’s Medicaid program, which offers free plans to low-income families who meet certain income requirements. Medicare is also a great option for residents 65 and older, or adults living with a qualifying disability.
If you’re not sure where to start, or need help navigating the whole process, an agent is a great resource. EZ agents can compare coverage and price points, as well as carriers, within minutes.
Get free instant quotes by entering your zip code in the bar below. No hassle. No obligations.
How to Get the Most Savings
Out of all 50 states Hawaii ranks 48th in healthcare spending per capita, making it one of the cheapest states when it comes to healthcare! On average $9,593 is spent on healthcare per person per year in Hawaii. Even though you’re living in one of the lower-cost states, there are ways to save even more money.
One of the first things health insurance companies look at is your age, and certain aspects of your health. Your body mass index (BMI) can raise your premium if it’s too high or even too low. The obesity rate in Hawaii is 33.1%, so if you’re in that group, getting your BMI to a healthy level is a great way to save.
Smoking is another red flag for insurance companies. In fact, a smoker’s premium can be up to 50% more than a non-smoker. 10% of Hawaii’s residents are smokers, so if you’re among them, consider quitting. Not only would you save money on tobacco products by quitting, but your premiums will be lower, too.
Where you live also affects your premiums. Living in an area with access to more providers can give you even more savings. The areas with the cheapest plans are Honolulu, Kalawao, and Kauai.
But there’s an even easier way to save! An insurance agent can compare all available plans, as well as find any local discounts you might qualify for. EZ’s agents can save you hundreds of dollars a year on health insurance! And all of our services are free and have no obligation.
Hawaii Health Insurance FAQS
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Does Hawaii require you to have health insurance?
The ACA does still require you to have health insurance, but there is no longer a federal tax penalty for not having a plan. While some states do have their own requirements, Hawaii has no state laws requiring residents to have coverage. But just because you don’t have to doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have health insurance.
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What is the cheapest health insurance in Hawaii?
The cheapest health plan will be a Bronze plan, which can start as low as $314 a month. Remember, though, health insurance plan prices can vary depending on age, zip code, gender, and other factors. Some Hawaii residents who qualify for a Marketplace plan can actually get a Bronze plan for free.
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How much does health insurance cost in Hawaii?
The average monthly premium for health insurance is $361, or $4,332 per year, with plans as low as $314 a month to as high as $1,184. But do not let these numbers scare you, you might qualify for subsidies, or even a free Bronze plan.
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Which insurance companies offer plans in Hawaii?
The 4 insurance companies that offer health insurance in Hawaii are HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, Alohacare, and Ohana Health Plans.
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Hawaii
You can enroll in a health insurance plan in a number of ways in Hawaii. You can buy a plan directly from an insurance company; you can usually enroll right on the company’s website. Or you can enroll through your employer’s health plan, which usually only means choosing which tier you want and filling out a form – your employer handles the rest.
Another way to find a plan and enroll is to use the Health Insurance Marketplace. Hawaii uses the federally run site instead of having their own state-run exchange. But keep in mind only two of the companies listed above are available on that exchange: HMSA and Kaiser Permanente. Not all companies participate in the exchange, so if you know you want a plan from one of the other companies, you may have to look on your own.
No matter which way you choose to search for and enroll in a plan, using an agent makes the process fast and stress free. An EZ agent can help compare all of the plans available and can walk you through the enrollment process step-by-step. We’ll give you the peace of mind of knowing you’ve selected the right plan and didn’t miss any steps.
If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call at 877-670-3557. When you call, you will be directly connected to a local insurance agent who can answer all of your questions and help you find the health insurance plan that works best for you.
