Health insurance help for Hawaii residents
Compare Medicare, health insurance marketplace plans and Medicaid in Hawaii, with a guide for every county and each major city, reviewed by a licensed agent.
- Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed agent (NPN 21255551)
- No cost to call
- No obligation to enroll
What is different about coverage in Hawaii
Med-QUEST, run by the Hawaii Department of Human Services, is the name Hawaii gives its Medicaid program, and after its own exchange closed in 2015 the state now shops ACA plans through the federal HealthCare.gov site. Hawaii Medical Insurance's phone help for Hawaii callers -- Medicare, ACA, life, or supplemental coverage -- costs nothing.
- Med-QUEST, the Hawaii Department of Human Services' Medicaid division, is the right place to apply or report a change if your Hawaii Medicaid eligibility changed.
- Hawaii ran its own ACA exchange, the Hawaii Health Connector, until it closed in 2015 -- coverage now runs through the federal HealthCare.gov Marketplace.
- Hawaii SHIP counselors offer free, unbiased Medicare guidance at 1-888-875-9229, coordinated through the state's Executive Office on Aging and separate from Hawaii Medical Insurance's own free phone help.
Worth knowing: Hawaii is one of the few states that tried running its own ACA exchange and gave it up -- the Hawaii Health Connector spent roughly $204 million in federal grants before closing in 2015, and coverage has run through the federal HealthCare.gov Marketplace ever since.
Coverage questions we help Hawaii residents with
Hawaii by county
Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace premiums are set county by county, so the plans open to you depend on where in Hawaii you live. Start with your county.
Major Hawaii cities
Hawaii colleges and universities
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu
- University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges
State bird: Nene (Hawaiian Goose)
Branta sandvicensis. Hawaii’s official state bird, shown here as a local touch.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia CommonsCommon Hawaii questions
Where do I shop for ACA health plans in Hawaii?
Hawaii residents shop through HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace) (https://www.healthcare.gov/hawaii/). An independent agent such as Lander LLC can explain the plans for you, but the marketplace is the only place premium tax credits are applied.
How do I apply for Medicaid in Hawaii?
Medicaid in Hawaii is run through Hawaii Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division (https://medquest.hawaii.gov). Eligibility depends on income, household size and other factors, and it is decided by the state, not by an insurance agency.
Who regulates insurance in Hawaii?
Hawaii Insurance Division (DCCA) (https://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/) regulates insurance companies and agents in Hawaii. You can use it to check that an agent or company is licensed and to file a complaint.
Is there free, unbiased Medicare help in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) (1-888-875-9229) offers free Medicare counseling through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), separate from any insurance agency.
Does Hawaii Medical Insurance cost anything to use?
There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent. Insurance premiums and plan costs are set by the insurance companies and are separate from our help.
Talk with a licensed agent about Hawaii coverage
Call Lander LLC to go over your options. There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent, and you are never required to enroll in anything.
Call 855-367-1095Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed insurance agent (NPN 21255551), Lander LLC. Last updated October 3, 2026. This page is educational and is not a quote, an offer of coverage, or legal or tax advice.