Hawaii Health Insurance Options and Patients' Rights

A Federal law known as COBRA may allow you to remain in your employer group health plan for a period of time if you are no longer employed.
The Hawaii Medicaid program provides free and subsidized health coverage for pregnant women, families with children, and elderly and disabled individuals with very low incomes.
The Hawaii Department of Health's Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program provides free breast and cervical screening services to women 50 to 64 of age, who are low income and have no or insufficient health insurance, particularly native Hawaiian and Filipino women. Some women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program may be eligible for medical care through Medicaid.
Health Savings Accounts allow individuals that do not have health insurance (generally) to save for qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis. To qualify for this type of savings account you must also obtain a high deductible health plan. Your account can be funded by you, your employer, or anyone else and the funds can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses for you, your spouse, and your children (even if they are not covered under the high deductible health plan). It should be noted that you will probably be charged more for medical services, medications, and supplies since you will not have the benefit of reduced negotiated rates through an insurance company.

To be informed of all risks, benefits, and consequences prior to making any decision about any treatment, benefit, or nontreatment.
To complain and appeal through the health plan.
To complain about health insurers to the Insurance Division without fear of it being held against them in any way.

Free external review of health planís appeal denial (generally for patients covered by individual, church, and government agency policies).

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Articles:

Hawaii Health Guide Pages:

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