Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Med-QUEST Division (MQD) eligibility system, KOLEA, will be down for maintenance from 5:00 pm Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015 through 12:00 pm Monday, Jan. 19, 2015. The scheduled system enhancements include changes to both the client and worker portals. They will improve program integrity and help eligible individuals obtain and maintain health care coverage with greater ease.

All MQD offices will operate during normal business hours on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015; however, eligibility workers will not be able to perform functions that require system access. These include application processing, making determinations and viewing client information.

Any online applications saved but not submitted by 5 pm on January 15 will be lost. Previously created user accounts and passwords will remain available.

The scheduled KOLEA enhancements will improve automation of the eligibility process and the user experience. Changes to the client portal include an online application that closely resembles the paper application.

Changes to the worker portal include improved system access and greater ease making redeterminations when a change of circumstance like change in income or household size is reported. The upgraded system also will be able to automatically determine an individual’s eligibility for other Medicaid eligibility groups when they lose eligibility under one group.

Beginning Jan. 19, 2015 new online applicants also will be able to view their application status, eligibility determination, verification information, and MQD-produced notices. Additionally, applicants and beneficiaries will be able to upload supporting documents and to report changes in circumstances.

Although January 19 is a state holiday and the DHS Offices will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr., individuals will be able to resume applying online for health care coverage as soon KOLEA access is restored. The Med-QUEST offices will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015 and operate during regular business hours.

KOLEA has advanced Hawaii’s Medicaid system by allowing applicants to submit applications on-line, in addition to paper applications. Prior to KOLEA, DHS was able to process only paper applications. Utilizing enhanced federal funding, the Department replaced its 20+ year-old eligibility system with KOLEA. As of November 2014, the MQD was providing health care coverage statewide to more than 298,000 eligible residents.

Media Contact:
Kayla Rosenfeld, DHS Public Information Officer
586-4892; [email protected];
https://humanservices.hawaii.gov