Health Insurance

[Johnnycake]

Aloha All..
I thought I'd ask you all out there for your insight and guidance..on Health Insurance on the Island..as a new family moving in the next couple months I want to be as prepared as possible. what suggestions do you have to obtain health insurance? I have a 6 year old that currently is being covered by a really great state insurance program for children in NY. Currently we pay about $160 per month for him, but never have we had to reach into our pockets for any medical expense, basically the coverage is great! Is there anything like that in Hawaii for children?
We have our own insurances through employer or individual plan which are shockingly costly..my partner pays over $700 per month for Health Insurance, any insight on which way to go would be most helpful. I would assume we would have to find our own insurance before we arrive? or when we first get there since it will take a little time to find employment etc..Mahalo

[Carey]

This is interesting, as I had a conversation last night before the Kenny Endo Taiko show. I had not realized it, but some people take classes at the university for the health coverage:
http://www.hmsa.com/portal/?gid=student&pg=9
Also note, employers in Hawaii must supply access to health insurance to workers 20+ hours per week.

[Guest]

Employees who are hired by the state now have to pay 50% of their insurance.[V]

You can find out more about the States plan here

As for the question regarding children.

There is This group that has formed. There little slogan is: Advocating Health Insurance for all Keiki and Opio. that you might find helpful.

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Coming home soon!

[Johnnycake]

quote:

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Originally posted by Damon

Employees who are hired by the state now have to pay 50% of their insurance.[V]

You can find out more about the States plan here

As for the question regarding children.

There is This group that has formed. There little slogan is: Advocating Health Insurance for all Keiki and Opio. that you might find helpful.

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Coming home soon!

Mahalo..very helpful and interesting..

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[Rumi in Hawaii]

Carey, do you have to be a full-time student in order to get the health insurance? What a concept....health insurance and more education!!!![] Do you know of any other restrictions involved here? I already have a BA degree, but sure wouldn't mind going back to school, and the benefit of health insurance is not to be scoffed at! Thanks for this tip.

Katie

Wherever you go, there you are.

[Guest]

Rumi -

The information you are seeking can be found Here.

A brief summary:

Students must be enrolled in the University of Hawaii system (Hilo, Manoa, West Oahu, and all community colleges) or Chaminade University to be eligible. A minimum of six credits of undergraduate level courses or four credits of graduate level courses is required throughout the fall and spring semesters and three credits during the summer sessions.

The rates are included in the site listed above.

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Coming home soon!

[Nalu]

We have HMSA's Indivual Care Plan and pay $440.25 per month for the family plan. They are strict with their guidelines, they do an interview, come and take blood tests and if you meet their qualifications you are accepted, however there is a one year waiting period for "Preexisting Conditions". It lists their info on different plans on their website, HMSA.com. We don't have any drug benefits though, and we pay 10% copay. We also get their dental which was around $350 total for the year for the family plan. It's avery basic plan though, just xrays and cleanings. Aloha, Angela

[Johnnycake]

quote:

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Originally posted by Nalu

We have HMSA's Indivual Care Plan and pay $440.25 per month for the family plan. They are strict with their guidelines, they do an interview, come and take blood tests and if you meet their qualifications you are accepted, however there is a one year waiting period for "Preexisting Conditions". It lists their info on different plans on their website, HMSA.com. We don't have any drug benefits though, and we pay 10% copay. We also get their dental which was around $350 total for the year for the family plan. It's avery basic plan though, just xrays and cleanings. Aloha, Angela

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Nalu..Mahalo, another option to consider..I will check them out..Aloha

[Larry T]

Make sure you can find a doc. before you sing any plan.

[Scott_S]

We also are starting to look at insurance carriers, one thing we learned from Kaiser is that they will not except you if you are taking any name brand maintenance drugs. They recommended to see if the doctor could change to a generic then wait 2 months before trying for coverage.

Scott