How To Find the Best Health Insurance in Hawaii
 Written by Preston Micalizio Preston MicalizioPreston Micalizio writes insurance content for SmartFinancial. He brings three years of professional experience writing ... Read more |  Edited by Dan MarticioDan MarticioDan Marticio is the content manager at SmartFinancial and has written 150+ articles across multiple insurance verticals.... Read more |
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By comparing plans from different carriers, you can find a Hawaii health insurance plan that best fits your needs and budget. While the “Aloha State” has a stellar health care system and average rates that are close to the national average, you will still want to shop around to maximize your savings.
Keep reading to learn more about Hawaii health insurance, including the most affordable plans, costs in some of the state's largest cities and the different kinds of health care available.
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Key Takeaways
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On This Page
Is Health Insurance Required in Hawaii?
Hawaii Health Insurance Rankings
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Hawaii?
What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Hawaii by City?
Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Hawaii?
When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Hawaii?
What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Hawaii?
How To Get Health Insurance in Hawaii
FAQs
Is Health Insurance Required in Hawaii?
Hawaii effectively makes health insurance optional for its residents, as the state does not impose fines or taxes on those who choose not to have coverage. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Americans who didn’t enroll in a plan with minimum essential health benefits once faced a federal tax penalty, but this penalty has been reduced to $0 since 2018.[1][2]
Hawaii Health Insurance Rankings
The Commonwealth Fund ranked Hawaii among the best in the nation, placing 2nd out of 51 in a comprehensive analysis of health care systems across the U.S. and Washington, D.C. The state ranked 26th in prevention and treatment but achieved its highest score, first, in healthy lives. Overall, Hawaii was the top-ranked state among six Western states, including California, Oregon and Washington.[3]
Below is an overview of Hawaii’s national rank in each of the dimensions analyzed by the Commonwealth Fund:[3]
|
Dimension |
National Rank |
|---|---|
|
Reproductive & Women’s Health |
11 |
|
Access & Affordability |
2 |
|
Prevention & Treatment |
26 |
|
Avoidable Hospital Use & Cost |
2 |
|
Healthy Lives |
1 |
|
Income Disparity |
3 |
|
Racial & Ethnic Health Equity |
2 |
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Hawaii?
Marketplace benchmark plans in Hawaii cost $493 per month on average, slightly cheaper than the nationwide average of $497 per month. On average, Hawaii residents pay a monthly premium of $373 for the lowest-cost bronze plan available in the state, $486 for the lowest-cost silver plan and $501 for the lowest-cost gold plan.[4]
Cheapest Health Insurance Options in Hawaii
The cheapest monthly Marketplace premiums are on bronze-tier health insurance plans. Bronze plans usually have lower premiums in exchange for higher deductibles, copays and coinsurance. These plans are generally better for healthy people who don't think they will need regular medical services.[5]
If you think you will use health services often during the year, you might want to look into a gold or platinum plan. These plans can save you money on out-of-pocket costs, but the monthly costs are usually higher.
Health maintenance organization (HMO) plans usually have lower monthly payments than preferred provider organization (PPO) plans, which means that choosing an HMO plan could save you even more money. However, HMOs might not be able to meet everyone's needs, and they usually don't offer as many benefits as PPOs or other plan types. For instance, HMOs often don't cover out-of-network care that isn't an emergency, and you may need a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist.
What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Hawaii by City?
During our research, we discovered that the same health care plans were offered across the zip codes we used for Honolulu, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Mililani and Kaneohe, resulting in a consistent median monthly rate of $450.41. This quote is for 30-year-olds making $40,000 per year, across all metal tiers, before considering premium tax credits. However, it is possible that your specific zip code can yield different plans and prices.[6]
Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Hawaii?
Kaiser Permanente offers Hawaii's most affordable health insurance plans in the silver tiers. Other insurance companies may offer better rates, depending on your income level, where you live and other factors. For example, while Kaiser Permanente may offer the lowest rates, Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) is the most popular insurance company, providing coverage for 60% of the state’s enrollees.[7]
Below is an overview of Hawaii health insurers with silver plan averages less than $600 before premium tax credits for 40-year-old individuals.[7]
|
Health Insurance Company |
Average Premium |
|---|---|
|
$474 |
|
|
HMSA |
$551 |
When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Hawaii?
During the open enrollment period from November 1 to January 15, Hawaii residents can sign up for a health insurance plan through the Marketplace at Healthcare.gov. If you enroll by December 15th, your coverage will start on January 1st; otherwise, it will begin on February 1st.[8]
Certain qualifying life events may trigger a special enrollment period, allowing you to enroll in a health plan outside the regular enrollment window. Events like moving, getting married, starting a family or losing employer-sponsored coverage typically grant a special enrollment period lasting 60 days before or after the event.[9]
What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Hawaii?
Some of the major types of medical insurance you can purchase in Hawaii include the following:
- Marketplace health plans
- Short-term health plans
- Private health insurance coverage directly from health care providers
- Employer-sponsored group health insurance
- Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) continuation coverage
- Medicare
- QUEST Integration, which includes Medicaid services and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits
- Student health plans
How To Get Health Insurance in Hawaii
Choose a health insurance plan with the best rates by comparing quotes from three to five providers. However, getting quotes one by one from each insurance provider search can be time-consuming and tedious.
An insurance marketplace like SmartFinancial can help speed things up. After completing a brief questionnaire, we can connect you with a certified insurance agent who can help you find affordable health plans. Click here for a free Hawaii health insurance quote!
- Insurance quotes /
- Health /
- Hawaii
Preston Micalizio writes insurance content for SmartFinancial. He brings three years of professional experience writing in various industries, from higher education to e-commerce. He strives to engage with the audience, provide accurate reporting and make complex subjects easily digestible.
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