Health Care & Insurance

Healthcare and Insurance: Information and Resources

Early and regular prenatal healthcare improves the chances of a healthy pregnancy and birth. For women who are pregnant, that means regularly scheduled check ups both during and after pregnancy. Newborns and children should receive routine medical checkups as well to ensure a healthy start.

Individuals and families in Hawaii without access to employer-sponsored coverage have options for purchasing health care plans on the federal marketplace exchange or from the private marketplace. Public health care plans such as Medicaid and CHIP are available for those who can’t afford insurance and who meet certain income and eligibility requirements.

 

Looking for health insurance?

HealthCare.gov

Visit the Health Insurance Marketplace or call 1-800- 318-2596 to prepare for open enrollment and ultimately sign up for private health insurance. This tool will help you understand health plan choices and select the coverage that best suits your needs when open enrollment in the new Health Insurance.

QUEST and Medicaid Fee-for-Service programs

Special provisions allow pregnant women access to prenatal care and medical services through pregnancy and 60 days after childbirth. Pregnant women must meet the other requirements of the QUEST or Medicaid FFS Programs.

Coverage includes prenatal care, necessary tests, labor and delivery costs, hospital charges and doctor or certified nurse-midwife charges. Medical services for the newborn will also be covered. Call or visit the Med-QUEST eligibility office in your area.

 

Where can I get health insurance for my child?

Hawaii State Department of Human Services

QUEST and QExA are free health insurance programs for eligible children and youths administered by Med-QUEST.

HMSA Children’s Plan

Provides affordable health insurance to children (between one month and 19 years) who don’t qualify for QUEST or Medicaid Fee-for-Service. For more information call 948-5555 (Oahu) or 1-800- 620-4672 (Neighbor Islands).

 

University Health Insurance Plans (Dependent coverage for students)

The University of Hawaii, Chaminade University, Hawaii Pacific University, and BYU all offer Student Health Insurance Plans. Prices vary depending on the number of dependents.

 

Preventive health services for women covered at no charge since July 1, 2012:

  • Annual well woman exams (pelvic examination, pap smear screening, and clinical breast exam).
  • Gestational diabetes screening for women between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy and at their first prenatal visit if they are at high risk for diabetes.
  • Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling from a trained physician or midwife during pregnancy and postpartum, and purchase of breastfeeding equipment.
  • HPV DNA testing every three years for women age 30 and older who are at high risk for cervical cancer.
  • Annual counseling and STD screening for sexually active women.
  • Certain prescribed contraceptive methods and counseling.
  • Annual screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence.