MEDIA RELEASE

Community groups, government officials, private sector business and healthcare leaders joined Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the Hawaii Health Connector on Tuesday as they announced the completion of significant milestones in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the development of Hawaii’s state-based health insurance marketplace.

The Connector’s marketplace assister program and contact center made their debut, and state insurance officials announced details regarding plans that will be participating on the marketplace.

Open enrollment for health insurance plans on the Connector begins in October and runs through March 31, and plan coverage becomes effective Jan. 1, 2014.

“Every resident in our great state deserves high quality, equitable healthcare,” Abercrombie said. “The State of Hawaii will continue to work with the Hawaii Health Connector and other healthcare leaders to provide critical information to the public as we transform Hawaii’s healthcare system.”

When the Connector begins taking enrollment applications Oct. 1, it will be due in large part to the combined support of the governor, Hawaii state legislature, federal and state partners, community partners, Connector board of directors and staff.

After months of planning and development, it is finally time for the work of engaging and enrolling individuals and small businesses in quality health plans to begin.

“In collaboration with state and community partners, The Hawaii Health Connector will soon go live,” said Coral Andrews, Hawaii Health Connector’s executive director. “Our contact center and multiple assister organizations statewide are looking forward to providing a supportive consumer experience over this next 180 day period of open enrollment. We are looking forward to bringing value to those who could not previously access or afford the insurance coverage they need.”

“The new online marketplace will bring changes to Hawaii’s health insurance industry,” said Gordon Ito, Insurance Commissioner. “In a state where the cost of living is priced well above the national averages, people have struggled to afford health care premiums. However, ACA provides an opportunity for a group of individuals and small businesses to reduce their net out-of-pocket cost of purchasing health insurance.”

“Access to affordable, quality health care is the foundation for improving the health of our population,” added Dr. David Sakamoto, Deputy Director of the Department of Health. “Better health leads to lower health care costs and a higher quality of living.”

For individuals and families eligible for Medicaid, they will still have access to Med-QUEST services without needing to take specific action Oct. 1.

“Individuals determined eligible for Med-QUEST programs on or after Oct. 1 will be able to enroll immediately,” said Patricia McManaman, Director of the Department of Human Services. “Current Med-QUEST recipients do not have to do anything at this time. They will retain their coverage.”

Customer Support Center are available to answer questions regarding the upcoming enrollment process and how to find coverage for you, your family, and your small business to meet your health and financial needs.

The Center also will receive inquiries through multiple communication channels, including postal mail, email, web chat and fax.

Multilingual representatives are available to assist in English, Hawaiian, Cantonese, Chuukese, Ilocano, Japanese, Korean, Marshallese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, as well as interpretive services for the hearing and speech impaired.

Center staff are available 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Reach Hawaii Health Connector at:

P.O. Box 1170
Honolulu, HI 96807-1170

Telephone: 877-628-5076
TTY/TDD: 855-585-8604
Fax: 808-585-8206
Email: support@hawaiihealthconnector.com

— Find out more:
www.HawaiiHealthConnector.com