Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans in Hawaii
Greetings to residents of the Aloha state! If you’re age 65 and older, now is the time to consider where you stand on Medicare coverage. On and off the mainland, Medicare is a federally administered program and a primary source of healthcare coverage for Hawaiians 65 years of age and older and some younger disabled persons. With endless blue skies and beautiful beaches calling, Medicare enrollment may not, understandably, be top of mind, but there are good reasons to know more about Medicare Advantage plan as an option for healthcare coverage.
Hawaii residents may also know these Medicare Advantage insurance plans as Medicare Part C. Part C offers Hawaiians a way to receive Medicare Part A hospital insurance coverage and Medicare Part B medical/doctor’s coverage. Private insurance companies throughout the Islands offer Medicare Advantage plans. These are approved by Medicare, offer at least the same level of coverage as Medicare Parts A and B and replace coverage by Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
Many people select a Medicare Advantage plan because of the additional benefits included. Hawaii residents who need coverage for hearing, vision, dental and other routine medical services should consider a Medicare Advantage plan in Hawaii because these types of benefits are typically included.
My Eligibility for Medicare Advantage Enrollment in Hawaii
The eligibility for a Medicare Advantage (MA) is determined in part if you’re living in an area where Medicare Advantage plans are sold and if you’re already eligible for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Understanding that medical needs can increase with age, a Medicare Advantage plan may lower the amount of money paid out of pocket because many Medicare Advantage plans have $0 monthly premiums. Copayments, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on the Medicare Advantage plans in which you enroll.
Hawaii residents cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan at the same time. A Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) helps to cover some of the gaps in coverage such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles that aren’t covered by Medicare Parts A and B.
Are Prescription Drugs Covered Under Medicare Advantage Plans in Hawaii?
Any resident living within the six regions of Hawaii who is looking for prescription drug coverage should consider a Medicare Part C plan because most Medicare Advantage plans also include a Medicare Prescription Drug plan. A Medicare Advantage plan including prescription drug coverage is called a MAPD and provides prescription drug coverage.
Most Popular Medicare Advantage Plans in Hawaii
Finding the right Medicare Advantage plan in Hawaii is as unique as the person the plan is there to support. Among Hawaiians who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, 55% choose a Local PPO, while 42% choose an HMO/HMOPOS plan, as reported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS.gov). Knowing how much Medicare plan coverage you need will help you determine the right Medicare Advantage Plan in Hawaii for your needs.
You can become more informed about Medicare Advantage plans available in Hawaii by contacting a SelectQuote licensed sales agent who can guide you through the Medicare maze. Acting as your advocate, our licensed sales agents help you weigh the Medicare Advantage plan options in your area, understand costs and answer questions throughout the process. SelectQuote individually shops more than 20 national insurance companies to help determine a plan that meets your needs and budget.
Hawaii Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment Period
Enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan occurs during specified enrollment periods. Medicare enrollment in Hawaii opens for residents prior to turning age 65 or earlier in special disability cases.The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) runs for seven months.
IEP begins three months before turning age 65, including the birthday month, and ends 3 months after the birthday month. It is also the time allotted for enrollment in Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. For example, if you’re a Hawaiian with a December birthday, your IEP runs from September through March.
You may also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which occurs annually each fall. Medicare’s AEP runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. The key dates for AEP are as follows:
Oct. 15 – Annual Enrollment Period Begins
Dec. 7 – Annual Enrollment Period Ends
Jan. 1 – First Date Coverage can start
During the Annual Enrollment every year, Hawaii residents can:
- Switch from Medicare Parts A and B (Original Medicare) to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan
- Change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another
- Switch from one Prescription Drug (Part D) plan to another
- Add a Prescription Drug (Part D) plan if you didn’t enroll when first eligible for Medicare
In addition to AEP, Hawaii residents enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can make a one-time plan change during the Open Enrollment (OEP) period, which occurs each year from January 1 through March 31. There are also Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) which are times where you may be able to enroll in Medicare or make changes to your existing Medicare Advantage coverage because of certain events and life changes, such as moving or losing employer coverage.
Is a Hawaii Medicare Advantage Plan Right for You?
SelectQuote, an independent third-party company specializing in helping consumers understand their Medicare insurance options, is here to help. We can check to see if you are getting all the available benefits you deserve and determine if your plan is up to date with the annual updates to Medicare plans made by insurance companies. SelectQuote is here to help Hawaii residents find the right Medicare Advantage plan.
To ensure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to receive, call or complete your online form today. Let SelectQuote’s personal licensed sales agents simplify the Medicare maze by comparing rates and independently shopping insurance companies to help you find an affordable option that meets your unique needs.
