Best Hawaii Health Insurance (2024 Plans)


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Updated: May 22, 2024

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MoneyGeek Logo IconBestHealth InsuranceHawaii
2024

Best Health Insurance in Hawaii

Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for Hawaii directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). MoneyGeek’s scoring methodology balances costs, claims approval and plan types to find the best providers in the state.

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Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in October 2023 for the 2024 enrollment period.

18Plans Analyzed
 
4Providers Compared

Overall Best Health Insurance in Hawaii

Kaiser Permanente has the best health insurance in Hawaii, with a MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100. It gives members affordable plan options, keeps out-of-pocket costs low and has fewer claim denials compared to others.

Our analysis looked at four Silver plans in Hawaii, including both HMO and PPO types.

MoneyGeek Pick: Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente

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Offers affordable premium rates

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Low out-of-pocket maximum costs

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Very few claims denied

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Only offers HMO plans

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Hawaii is Kaiser Permanente. This provider offers three Silver plans with an average rate of $471 per month. The average MOOP cost for these plans is $8,967.

Kaiser Permanente provides Silver HMO plans exclusively. HMO plans often require choosing a primary care physician and getting referrals to see specialists. The company has a denial rate of 8.45%, which is lower than most of the competition.

Plan Recommendations

MoneyGeek recommends the following Silver plans from Kaiser Permanente:

  • KP HI Standard Silver 5900/40: $457 per month; MOOP $9,100
  • KP HI Silver 4000 Ded/600 Rx Ded: $470 per month; MOOP $8,900
  • KP HI Silver 3000 Ded/600 Rx Ded Plus CAM: $485 per month; MOOP $8,900

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

Kaiser Permanente has the best health insurance in Hawaii for low out-of-pocket costs, with a MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100. The company offers competitive rates, keeps out-of-pocket costs low and has better-than-average claim denial rates.

For this evaluation, we analyzed six Gold and three Platinum plans, including HMO and PPO types.

MoneyGeek Pick: Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente

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Offers affordable premium rates

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Low out-of-pocket costs

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Very few claims denied

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Offers many different types of plans

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Hawaii for low out-of-pocket costs is Kaiser Permanente. It offers three Gold plans and two Platinum plans, which are good for keeping out-of-pocket costs low. The plans cost an average of $546 per month, with an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $6,500.

The options from Kaiser Permanente are HMO plans, which usually means you need to stay within the plan's network of doctors to get the lowest costs. Kaiser Permanente has an 8.45% denial rate, which is lower than most of the competition.

Plan Recommendations

MoneyGeek recommends the following Gold and Platinum plans:

  • KP HI Platinum 0/5 Plus CAM: $616 per month; MOOP $3,000
  • KP HI Standard Platinum 0/10: $609 per month; MOOP $3,200
  • KP HI Standard Gold 1500/30: $480 per month; MOOP $8,700

Best Cheap Health Insurance in Hawaii

Kaiser Permanente earned a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100, making it the best cheap health insurance provider in Hawaii. It offers plans with more affordable rates and lower average out-of-pocket expenses. It also denies fewer claims compared to other providers.

For this analysis, MoneyGeek looked at four Silver plans in Hawaii — three HMO plans and one PPO plan. We based our evaluation more on plans with lower monthly premiums. Note that it is common for plans with lower premiums to have higher out-of-pocket costs.

MoneyGeek Pick: Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente

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Favorable premium rates

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Minimal out-of-pocket expenses

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Few claims denied

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Limited plan options available

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's top pick for the best cheap health insurance in Hawaii is Kaiser Permanente. It offers three Silver plans at an average monthly rate of $471 and an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $8,967.

Kaiser Permanente's plans are all the HMO type. HMO plans generally require you to choose a primary care doctor and get referrals to see specialists. Kaiser Permanente has a denial rate of 8.5%, which is lower than most of the competition.

Plan Recommendations

MoneyGeek recommends the following cheap Silver plans:

  • KP HI Standard Silver 5900/40: $457 per month; MOOP $9,100
  • KP HI Silver 4000 Ded/600 Rx Ded: $470 per month; MOOP $8,900
  • KP HI Silver 3000 Ded/600 Rx Ded Plus CAM: $485 per month; MOOP $8,900

Best Health Insurance for Low Income in Hawaii

Kaiser Permanente provides the best health insurance in Hawaii for those with low income, scoring 74 out of 100. It offers low premium rates and does not deny many claims but has a higher-than-average maximum out-of-pocket cost.

In Hawaii, we evaluated three Silver CSR HMO plans and one Silver CSR PPO plan. We placed more importance on plans with low monthly premiums and focused on plans with cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) to find the best option for individuals with low income. These CSRs can make your out-of-pocket costs, like deductibles, lower. A typical Silver plan usually pays about 70% of health care costs, but CSR Silver plans can differ.

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

These income numbers change if you have more or fewer people in your household.

MoneyGeek Pick: Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente

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Low premium rates

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Rarely denies claims

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Diverse plan options available

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Only HMO plans available

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Hawaii for those with low income is Kaiser Permanente. The provider offers cost-effective plans for individuals earning below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Kaiser Permanente has three Silver CSR plans available to those who qualify at an average cost of $471 per month. The average MOOP for these plans is $7,233.

Kaiser Permanente does not offer PPO or POS plans in Hawaii, but its HMO plans often have lower monthly premiums. The company's denial rate is 8.45%, which means it approves claims more frequently than competitors.

Plan Recommendations

Kaiser Permanente's top-rated plan offers lower out-of-pocket expenses for the same premium for people in different income brackets. Here are some of the lower overall out-of-pocket costs based on income levels:

  • 201%–250% of FPL: $457 per month; $7,200 MOOP
  • 151%–200% of FPL: $457 per month; $3,000 MOOP
  • Up to 150% of FPL: $457 per month; $1,800 MOOP

Best Health Insurance for Young Adults in Hawaii

Blue Cross Blue Shield provides the best health insurance in Hawaii for young adults, with a MoneyGeek score of 70 out of 100. The provider offers affordable plans, has lower out-of-pocket costs and processes claims at about the same rate as the competition.

For this category, we evaluated one Bronze HMO plan, two Expanded Bronze HMO plans, two Expanded Bronze PPO plans and one Catastrophic PPO plan. Note that only individuals under the age of 30 can buy Catastrophic coverage.

MoneyGeek Pick: Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross Blue Shield

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Very low premium rates

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Minimal out-of-pocket costs

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Diverse plan options

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Average rate of claim denials

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Hawaii for young adults is Blue Cross Blue Shield. Young adults often choose plans with lower coverage because they usually need less medical care than older adults. The company has one Catastrophic and two Expanded Bronze plans. These plans cost an average of $251 a month and have an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $8,650 per year.

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers PPO plans, which means you can see more doctors out of the network. Its denial rate is average at about 17%.

Plan Recommendations

MoneyGeek recommends the following plans for young adults:

  • HMSA Bronze PPO II HSA: $306 for 18-year-olds and $343 for 26-year-olds; MOOP $7,100
  • HMSA Catastrophic Plan: $151 for 18-year-olds and $170 for 26-year-olds; MOOP $9,450
  • HMSA Bronze PPO I: $296 for 18-year-olds and $332 for 26-year-olds; MOOP $9,400

Best Health Insurance by Plan Type in Hawaii

Health insurance companies have different kinds of plans. In Hawaii, there are one Silver PPO and three Silver HMO plans available. The best providers for each plan category in Hawaii are:

  • PPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield (MoneyGeek score: 100 out of 100)
  • HMO: Kaiser Permanente (MoneyGeek score: 100 out of 100)

MoneyGeek's recommendations focused on Silver plans. These plans are popular because they balance the monthly cost and what a person pays when they get medical services. Silver plans are helpful for people who see the doctor or need health care more often.

MoneyGeek Pick for PPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross Blue Shield
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Hawaii for Silver PPO plans is Blue Cross Blue Shield. It offers plans at an average monthly rate of $551, with an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $9,100. The company has an average denial rate of about 17%.

PPO plans let you choose your own doctors and see specialists without referrals. However, they usually cost more than other types of plans, so they may not be ideal if you're trying to save money.

Plan Recommendations

We suggest the following Silver PPO plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield:

  • HMSA Silver PPO: $551 per month; MOOP $9,100

MoneyGeek Pick for HMO: Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Hawaii for Silver HMO plans is Kaiser Permanente. It offers plans at an average rate of $471 per month and an average maximum out-of-pocket of $8,967. The provider has a denial rate of 8.45%, which means it denies fewer claims than average.

Silver HMO plans can cost less each month and are very common. Remember that you need to use doctors within the network and a referral to see a specialist. HMO plans are good for saving money as long as you can see the doctors in the network.

Plan Recommendations

We suggest the following Silver HMO plans from Kaiser Permanente:

  • KP HI Silver 4000 Ded/600 Rx Ded: $470 per month; MOOP $8,900
  • KP HI Silver 3000 Ded/600 Rx Ded Plus CAM: $485 per month; MOOP $8,900

How to Find the Best Health Insurance for You in Hawaii

Your needs and financial situation will determine which health insurance is best for you. People who need ongoing medical treatment will need more coverage than those who infrequently use medical services. Choose health insurance that meets your needs and fits your budget.

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    Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you

    Health insurance plans have a list of doctors or hospitals that are within the network, also known as "in-network providers." You can go to these places for care, and your plan will help pay for it. If you go to a doctor or hospital not on the list, which is an "out-of-network provider," your plan might not pay or might pay less.

    There are one PPO plan and three HMO plans in Hawaii. PPO plans let you choose out-of-network doctors but may cost more. HMO plans may cost less, but you have to stay in the network.

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    Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care

    When looking for health insurance, you need to consider two costs: the monthly price you pay and the most you will pay in a year if you need a lot of medical help. Some plans make you pay a smaller amount every month, but if you get sick, you might have to pay a lot more. If you pick a plan that costs more each month, you might not have to pay as much if you need lots of medical care.

    Let's look at a Silver plan from Kaiser Permanente. The KP HI Silver 4000 Ded/600 Rx Ded plan has the lowest MOOP of $8,900 and a monthly cost of about $470. That's less than the average cost of the Silver plans from Kaiser Permanente, which is $471. The KP HI Silver 4000 Ded/600 Rx Ded plan could be a wise choice if the plan has good doctors and hospitals near you.

Consider Hawaii Medicare or Medicaid if You’re Eligible

Those in Hawaii who are 65 years of age or older or who have a qualifying disease or disability may be eligible for Medicare. Medicare is health insurance provided by the federal government at a rate typically lower than that offered by private companies.

Medicare differs from Medicaid, as Medicare has a premium. Medicare may still provide people with more health care options, allowing them to choose a plan that best fits their requirements and their budget. Medicare has three parts:

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

We also provide more information on finding the best Hawaii Medicare Supplement plans and the top Medicare Advantage plans in Hawaii.

In Hawaii, Medicaid is expanded, so individuals can qualify based on their income alone. Those in Hawaii who earn less than 138% of the Federal Poverty Level may be eligible for Medicaid. For example, a person with a family of four can qualify for Medicaid if their income is below $3,208 per month.

FAQ: Hawaii Health Insurance

Finding an ideal health insurance plan can be complicated due to concerns about price and availability. MoneyGeek answers some frequently asked questions to help you research options.

What is the best health insurance provider in Hawaii for 2024?
What should you look for when shopping for the best health insurance plan in Hawaii?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.