Best Health Insurance in Hawaii 2024

In Hawaii, finding the best health insurance plan involves considering various factors such as coverage options, network availability, and affordability. Several insurance companies offer a range of plans tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals and families across the state.

When choosing a health insurance plan in Hawaii, individuals should prioritize comprehensive coverage for essential health services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and preventive care. Plans with low deductibles and copayments can help individuals manage healthcare costs effectively.

This comprehensive guide will help you find the perfect plan to meet your healthcare needs and budget.

How much does health insurance cost in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, health insurance typically costs around $490 per month for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan. Higher-tier plans have pricier monthly rates but also lower costs when you visit the doctor or get prescriptions filled.

In Hawaii, your age plays a significant role in determining your health insurance rates. A 60-year-old will pay over double what a 40-year-old pays for the same coverage.

Overall Best Health Insurance in Hawaii

Kaiser Permanente offers the top health insurance in Hawaii. It provides members with affordable plans, low out-of-pocket costs, and fewer claim denials than other options. To reach this conclusion, we examined four Silver plans in Hawaii, including both HMO and PPO types.

Best Health Insurance in Hawaii for Low Out-of-Pocket Costs

Kaiser Permanente is rated as the top choice for health insurance in Hawaii, especially for low out-of-pocket costs. They provide affordable rates, minimize out-of-pocket expenses, and have a better-than-average track record for approving claims.

We examined a total of six Gold and three Platinum plans, which include both HMO and PPO options, for this assessment.

Best Cheap Health Insurance in Hawaii

Kaiser Permanente is the top choice for affordable health insurance in Hawaii. They offer plans with cheaper rates and lower out-of-pocket costs on average. Additionally, they have a lower denial rate for claims than other providers.

For this review, we examined four Silver plans in Hawaii, including three HMO plans and one PPO plan. We focused more on plans with lower monthly premiums. Remember that plans with lower premiums often come with higher out-of-pocket costs.

Best Health Insurance for Low Income in Hawaii

Kaiser Permanente offers the best health insurance in Hawaii for those with low income. They have low premium rates and don’t deny many claims, but their maximum out-of-pocket cost is higher than average.

We reviewed three Silver CSR HMO plans and one Silver CSR PPO plan in Hawaii. We focused on plans with low monthly premiums and looked for ones with cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) to help individuals with low income. CSRs can lower your out-of-pocket costs, like deductibles. Typically, a Silver plan covers about 70% of health care costs, but CSR Silver plans can vary.

• If you earn between $31,260 and $39,075 per year (201%–250% of the Federal Poverty Level), about 73% of your health insurance costs are covered.
• If you make between $23,445 and $31,260 per year (151%–200% of the FPL), approximately 87% of your healthcare costs are covered.
• If your income is below $23,445 per year (up to 150% of the FPL), then around 94% of your health care costs can be covered.

These income thresholds may change depending on the size of your household.

Best Health Insurance for Young Adults in Hawaii

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the top health insurance for young adults in Hawaii. They provide affordable plans with lower out-of-pocket expenses and process claims similarly to other companies.

For this, we reviewed one Bronze HMO plan, two Expanded Bronze HMO plans, two Expanded Bronze PPO plans, and one Catastrophic PPO plan. Remember, Catastrophic coverage is only available for individuals under 30 years old.

Best Health Insurance by Plan Type in Hawaii

Health insurance companies offer various types of plans. In Hawaii, one Silver PPO and three Silver HMO plans are available. The top providers for each plan type in Hawaii are:

• PPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield
• HMO: Kaiser Permanente

Our recommendations focused on Silver plans. These plans are popular because they balance monthly costs with what a person pays for medical services. Silver plans are helpful for people who visit the doctor or need healthcare frequently.

How to Find the Best Health Insurance for You in Hawaii

The best health insurance for you depends on your needs and finances. If you often need medical care, you’ll need more coverage. Pick a plan that matches what you need and what you can afford:

Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you

Health insurance plans have a list of doctors or hospitals called “in-network providers.” You can visit these places for care; your plan will cover part of the cost. If you go to a doctor or hospital not on the list, known as an “out-of-network provider,” your plan might not cover the cost or may cover less.

In Hawaii, there is one PPO plan and three HMO plans available. PPO plans allow you to choose out-of-network doctors but might be more expensive. HMO plans may cost less, but you must stay within the network.

Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care

When searching for health insurance, you should consider two main costs: the monthly premium and the maximum you’ll pay in a year if you need a lot of medical care. Some plans have lower monthly premiums but higher costs if you use many medical services. Other plans might cost more each month but have lower prices if you need medical care.

For example, let’s consider the Silver plan from Kaiser Permanente. The KP HI Silver 4000 Ded/600 Rx Ded plan has a maximum out-of-pocket cost (MOOP) of $8,900 and a monthly premium of about $470. This is slightly lower than the average cost of Kaiser Permanente’s Silver plans, which is $471 monthly. If the plan has good doctors and hospitals near you, choosing the KP HI Silver 4000 Ded/600 Rx Ded plan could be intelligent.

Consider Hawaii Medicare or Medicaid if You’re Eligible

In Hawaii, people aged 65 and older or those with certain diseases or disabilities might qualify for Medicare. Medicare is health insurance from the federal government, often with lower costs than private plans.

Unlike Medicaid, Medicare usually requires a premium. However, it offers more choices for healthcare, letting individuals pick a plan that suits their needs and budget. Medicare has three parts:

• Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers in-hospital expenses, such as inpatient hospital care, home health care or hospice care.
• Part B (Medical Insurance): includes medical supplies, preventative services, doctors’ services, and other medical-related expenses.
• Part D (Prescription drug coverage): covers prescription drugs and vaccines.

In Hawaii, Medicaid is expanded, allowing people to qualify based solely on their income. Residents in Hawaii who earn less than 138% of the Federal Poverty Level may be eligible for Medicaid. For instance, a family of four can qualify if their monthly income is below $3,208.

FAQ: Hawaii Health Insurance