Best Health Insurance in Hawaii (2026)

Key Takeaways

Kaiser Permanente is Hawaii's top health insurance provider for HMO plans, offering comprehensive coverage across all metal tiers.

HMSA has the best HMO plans in Hawaii, averaging $545 for Silver-tier plans.

Compare quotes from multiple insurers, review coverage limits and deductibles and verify your doctors accept the plan before enrolling.

Best Health Insurance Companies in Hawaii

There are only two health insurance companies available in the Health Insurance Marketplace for Hawaii. Kaiser Permanente is the best health insurance in Hawaii for HMO plans, while HMSA is the best in the state for PPO plans.


Kaiser Permanente	$545	$5,656	$3,100	5	HMO
HMSA	$695	$5,656	$3,100	5	PPO

Kaiser Permanente

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$545
Average MOOP
$5,656
Average Deductible
$3,100

pros
- Ranks first in Hawaii for affordability across all categories
- $0 deductibles available on Platinum plans
- $750 deductibles on Gold plans keep costs predictable
- Coverage options available across all major metal tiers
cons
- Offers HMO plans only, limiting provider network flexibility
- Bronze plans carry high $5,062 deductibles and $7,275 MOOP limits
Kaiser Permanente offers HMO coverage across all metal tiers in Hawaii, providing solid options for different budgets. A 40-year-old pays about $258 monthly for Expanded Bronze with a $5,063 deductible, while Silver costs $326 with a $3,100 deductible. Gold plans run $342 monthly with just a $750 deductible, and Platinum eliminates deductibles entirely at $415 per month. Premiums increase with age, with 60-year-olds paying $431 to $694 monthly across the same tiers. Out-of-pocket maximums range from $7,275 for Expanded Bronze down to $3,450 for Platinum plans. Catastrophic coverage is also available for younger enrollees seeking basic protection.

Kaiser Permanente health insurance plans for 2026:

Data filtered by:


Kp Hi Bronze 6000/65 Plus Cam	$448	HMO	Expanded Bronze	$7,050	$4,500	Yes
Kp Hi Standard Bronze 7500/50	$414	HMO	Expanded Bronze	$7,500	$5,625	Yes

HMSA

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$695
Average MOOP
$5656
Average Deductible
$3100

pros
- All metal tier options available
- Platinum plans have $0 deductible
- Catastrophic and Expanded Bronze include HSA eligible options
cons
- Only offers PPO plans in Hawaii
- Silver and Gold plans aren't HSA-eligible
HMSA is the sole provider of PPO health insurance plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace for Hawaii. They offer comprehensive coverage across all metal tiers, with monthly premiums ranging from $297 for Catastrophic plans to $726 for Platinum plans for 40-year-old enrollees. HMSA features competitive deductibles that start at $0 for Platinum plans and max out-of-pocket costs ranging from $3,900 to $10,600 depending on the tier selected.
HMSA health insurance plans for 2026:
Data filtered by:
Metal Level
Catastrophic
Hmsa Catastrophic Plan $297 PPO Catastrophic $10,600 $10,600 Yes


Hmsa Catastrophic Plan	$297	PPO	Catastrophic	$10,600	$10,600	Yes

Best Hawaii Health Insurance by Category

Hawaii health insurance prices vary by age and network type. Silver-tier plan comparisons show clear category leaders:

By Age:

Teens (18): Kaiser Permanente HMO ($389 monthly), HMSA PPO ($497)
Young adults (26): Kaiser Permanente HMO ($437 monthly), HMSA PPO ($557)
Adults (40): Kaiser Permanente HMO ($545 monthly), HMSA PPO ($695)
Seniors (60): Kaiser Permanente HMO ($1,158 monthly), HMSA PPO ($1,476)

By Network Type (40-year-olds):

HMO: Kaiser Permanente offers Silver coverage at $545 monthly
PPO: HMSA provides Silver-tier plans at $695 monthly

Both providers feature similar deductibles of $3,100 and maximum out-of-pocket costs around $5,656 for their Silver-tier options.

Compare Health Insurance Companies in Hawaii

Monthly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums vary across metal tiers and providers. This table compares Hawaii health plans by age, coverage level and HSA eligibility.

Data filtered by:


Kaiser Permanente	$545	HMO	Silver	$5,656	$3,100	40	No

*Some providers offer multiple plans of the same type and tier. Rates are based on company averages across all available plans for the given age, plan type and metal tier.

How to Find the Best Health Insurance in Hawaii

Finding the right health insurance in Hawaii involves evaluating your coverage needs, checking provider quality and exploring available enrollment options.

Decide on your coverage needs before buying

Compare monthly premiums against maximum out-of-pocket limits. If you visit doctors frequently, plans with higher monthly costs but lower out-of-pocket limits often save money long-term. For those rarely needing care, lower-premium plans with higher out-of-pocket limits may work better. Review HMO, PPO and EPO plan types to understand network flexibility and referral requirements.

Compare company offerings and reputations

Research what plans providers offer in your area and review coverage terms. Check company reputations through J.D. Power ratings and state complaint data to verify claims handling and customer service quality.

Shop around

Hawaii rates vary based on age, plan type and coverage level. Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. Special Enrollment applies if you've lost your job, divorced or had a child. Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best value.

Take advantage of federal programs and subsidies

Depending on your income, age or health condition, you may qualify for federal subsidies or assistance programs like Medicaid. Some Hawaii residents may be eligible for $0 premium plans. Medicare-eligible residents can explore Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans for additional coverage options.

Average Health Insurance Cost in Hawaii

Hawaii health insurance costs vary based on plan type, metal tier, age and location. HMO plans are the most affordable option in the state, as low as $431 for Expanded Bronze plans. PPO plans cost more, ranging from $504 for Expanded Bronze plans to $726 for Platinum plans.


HMO	$431	$545	$571	$694
PPO	$504	$695	$640	$726

*Average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds in Hawaii by plan type. Rates vary by age and location.

Best Health Insurance in Hawaii: Bottom Line

Kaiser Permanente leads Hawaii's Silver-tier HMO coverage, while HMSA is the best option for PPO plans. The best plan for you depends on your age, budget, health needs and preferred provider network. Get quotes from multiple insurers and compare premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums before choosing your coverage.

Best Hawaii Health Insurance: FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions about the best health insurance in Hawaii:

Is health insurance required in Hawaii?

Yes, Hawaii requires residents to have health insurance coverage or face a state tax penalty when filing taxes. The state maintains its own individual mandate even after the federal requirement ended. Exemptions are available for financial hardship, religious objections and short coverage gaps.

When is open enrollment in Hawaii?

Hawaii's open enrollment period for 2026 health coverage starts November 1, 2025, and ends January 31, 2026. You must select a plan by December 31, 2025, to begin coverage on January 1, 2026.

Can you get free health insurance in Hawaii?

Yes, Hawaii residents can access free health insurance through Medicaid if they meet income requirements. Many others qualify for premium subsidies through Hawaii's health insurance marketplace, which can reduce monthly costs to zero or make coverage very affordable.

How We Chose the Best Health Insurance in Hawaii

Our rankings prioritize factors that impact costs: monthly premiums, out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles.

Scoring methodology:

Monthly premium (60%): Companies with the cheapest average monthly costs earn the top ratings.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) score (20%): MOOP sets the annual spending limit for health care costs beyond your premium payments. Insurers with lower MOOP averages receive higher ratings.
Deductible (20%): This amount must be paid for covered services before your plan starts paying. Providers with smaller average deductibles earn better scores.

We standardized all scores within each filter group. For Silver-tier HMO options, the leading provider gets a 5.0 rating, with remaining insurers scored relative to that top performer.

MoneyGeek examined every 2026 health plan offered in Hawaii for people ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Premium figures represent 40-year-old rates unless stated otherwise. Our analysis covers Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum coverage levels.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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