Hilo, Hawaii: health insurance
Hilo is in Hawaii County. Here is what Hilo residents should know about coverage.
Coverage in Hilo
Plans for Hilo residents are determined by Hawaii County, home to about 207,615 people (2023 estimate). Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace plans are offered by area, so use your ZIP code when you compare, and make sure a plan covers Hawaii County before you choose it.
- Turning 65 in Hilo? Your Initial Enrollment Period runs seven months around your birthday. Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) offers free counseling at 1-888-875-9229.
- Buying your own plan? Shop through HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace).
- Medicaid questions? Hawaii Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division handles applications.
Hawaii note: 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.
Medicare plans leaving Hawaii County for 2027
Medicare plans are set by county, so this applies to residents of this city. 6 plans are listed in Hawaii County for 2026 but not for 2027, covering at least 5,867 people.
| Plan going away | Company | People enrolled (at least) |
|---|---|---|
| HMSA Akamai Advantage Standard Plus (PPO) H3832-008 | Hawaii Medical Service Association | 2,875 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC HI-0004 (PPO) H2406-093 | UnitedHealthcare | 1,795 |
| UHC Dual Complete HI-S001 (PPO D-SNP) H6824-001 | UnitedHealthcare | 783 |
| Wellcare 'Ohana Dual Align (HMO-POS D-SNP) H9916-001 | Wellcare / Ambetter (Centene) | 414 |
| AlohaCare Advantage (HMO D-SNP) H5969-003 | AlohaCare | 10 or fewer |
See all 6 plans leaving Hawaii County →
A plan can be listed because it was renumbered or replaced, not only because a company is leaving the county. When the same company keeps other plans there, members are usually moved to a replacement plan. Your plan should send you a notice, and Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) is when you can compare and switch. “People enrolled” is the number enrolled in that plan today (CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer). Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2026 and 2027, and CMS enrollment data from September 2026.
Colleges and universities near Hilo
Hawaii public institutions include University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu. Students and employees at these schools should check their school’s student health or benefits office, because campus plans and employer plans work differently from individual coverage. More about Hawaii colleges.
Do Hilo and Hawaii County have the same plans?
Plans are offered by service area, and Hilo falls under Hawaii County. A plan that serves Hawaii County is generally the one that applies to you.
Do I have to enroll if I call?
No. A call is a conversation about your options.
Hilo residents: call 855-367-1095
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 855-367-1095Other major Hawaii cities
- Honolulu
- Kailua-Kona
- Kahului
- Lihue
- Urban Honolulu
- Pearl City
- Kapolei
- Waipahu
- Kaneohe
- Kailua
- Mililani Town
- Wailuku
Reviewed 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.