Kaiser Permanente Health Access Program expands in Hawaii

HONOLULU — Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii is expanding its Hawaii Health Access Program to provide affordable, high-quality health care to more residents. Launched in 2023 to support Maui residents affected by the wildfires, the program will now include Oahu residents for the first time while continuing to serve more people on Maui. Eligible residents without access to Medicaid or other health coverage may apply to the program during the open enrollment period, which runs from November 1, 2024, through January 15, 2025. U.S. citizenship is not required to qualify.

HHAP provides a subsidy for enrollment in a designated Kaiser Permanente Individual and Family Plan, which eliminates or substantially reduces out-of-pocket costs for most services at Kaiser Permanente facilities. The plan includes preventive care, prescription drugs, and pediatric vision services. Funded entirely by Kaiser Permanente, the program operates without any public or private contributions.

“Our priority is to ensure that everyone in our communities receives the affordable, high-quality health care they deserve,” said Ed Chan, market president of Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii. “By expanding the Hawaii Health Access Program to Oahu, we are able to reach even more residents and continue offering critical support to those on Maui.”

HHAP is part of Kaiser Permanente’s Charitable Health Coverage initiative, which subsidizes health coverage for low-income individuals without access to other public or private health coverage. In 2023, nearly 200 Maui residents benefited from the program. With this expansion, HHAP continues to provide access to care for those in need.

To be eligible to enroll and remain enrolled in the program, applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• They must live on Maui or Oahu.
• They must live in a household with an annual income up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, which for 2024 is up to $51,930 for a single person or $107,640 for a household of 4.
• They must not be eligible or have access to other public or private health coverage such as, but not limited to, Medicaid or Med-QUEST, Medicare, a job-based health plan, or coverage through a health benefit exchange.

To see if you qualify and to apply, Maui and Oahu residents may contact the following organizations: