What You Need To Know
The healthcare needs of low-income Hawaii residents are catered to through the help of their two benefits program. They provide medical coverage to deserving families through the help of:
- Hawaii QUEST
- Hawaii Medicaid Fee-For-Service
Hawaii QUEST is a benefit program stabled to help eligible residents of Hawaii. QUEST provides health coverage through health plans. This allows its members to receive medical and mental health services. However, it must be kept in mind that dental services are provided by its sister program, Medicaid Fee-For-Service Program. Hawaii QUEST has been administered by the Department of Human Services. It is a state and federally-funded program that aims to safeguard the health of people.
Medical assistance is provided to pregnant women at any time. Their medical coverage is undertaken by the program whether they have applied before or not. This is because their pregnancy may make them eligible for the benefits if they had been rejected before. In order to quicken this process, there are special eligibility workers present. They try to make sure that the enrollment is carried out as soon as possible. This allows the woman to receive the appropriate healthcare in the proper duration such as prenatal care.
To make sure that you receiving special processing, the application must highlight that you are pregnant. To confirm the eligibility of the women, a home pregnancy test or through the help of a health care provider is referred to. The health care provider can be either of the following, as long as they verify the pregnancy:
- Physician
- Nurse midwife
- Pediatric nurse practitioner
- Family nurse practitioner
This verification means that pregnant women do not have to, necessarily, provide any documentation confirming her pregnancy.
Are You Eligible?
There is a certain basic criterion to be followed in case a person wishes to apply for QUEST. Amongst these, it is important for the person to
- Be a resident of the state of Hawaii
- Be a U.S. national, citizen, or qualified alien
- Require health coverage
- Have a financial situation which can be classified as low-income.
- Not be above the age of 65
- Not be blind
- Not be disabled
To ensure that the person does have low income, the annual household income is considered. The amount before taxes is expected to be either less than or equal to:
| Size of the Household | Maximum Income Level ($) |
| 1 | 14,380 |
| 2 | 19,460 |
| 3 | 24,540 |
| 4 | 29,620 |
| 5 | 34,700 |
| 6 | 39,780 |
| 7 | 44,860 |
| 8 | 49,940 |
A household that has more than eight residents must add in an amount of $5,080 per additional person. It is advised that a person stays in touch with their managing agency. This is recommended as it will help the person to ensure they are following the most recent and accurate guidelines.
The eligibility criteria also outline that asset limits are not applicable to individuals under 19, or pregnant women. In the matter of the latter group, this is valid during the pregnancy plus 60 days.
How To Apply
Online portals have been set up to make the application process an easy one. Medicaid On Line Eligibility Application (KOLEA) can be found online. An eligible individual can simply create a user account and then follow the given instructions. Therefore, they can begin their potential qualification from the comfort of their home.
Offices have been set up through the state. These have been established to assist the residents as much as possible. The Med-QUEST Division accepts the application forms submitted to these offices. The forms are also received through the help of the hospitals and health centers. Moreover, those receiving food stamps can also apply. Their caseworker can simply forward their medical application which can be processed.
People have different preferences when it comes to the method of communication. Therefore, to make sure that people have different choices to select from, a mail option is also available. Potential applicants can return the application to the Med-QUEST office. The office will then contact the person for appointments concerning their eligibility. This means that the person must make sure to take documents for verification along with them. This includes documents about their:
- Date of birth
- Citizenship
- Social Security Number
- Income and Assets
In the case where the applicant is unable to represent themselves, they can appoint someone else. This can be a trustworthy person who is aware of their situation. It includes spouse, adult child, sibling, family relatives, and friends.
For Further Information
To provide interested residents of Hawaii with the appropriate information, a website has been set up. Med-QUEST Division’s website contains in-depth information about the program. Therefore, it can prove helpful for the person as they might realize whether or not they should apply for it.