Department of Human Services

For Immediate Release:  May 13, 2013

The Department of Human Services Reschedules 2013 Annual Health Plan Change

 The Department of Human Services (DHS) Med-QUEST Division (MQD) is canceling and rescheduling the current Annual Plan Change (APC) period.  The new APC period will be June 17 – 28, 2013.  Health plan changes will take effect August 1, 2013.  Reasons for the cancellation include the following:

• Marketing by certain health plans was not done in compliance with requirements of their DHS contracts.  MQD continues to review all health plans marketing materials.

• There has been some confusion about which QUEST health plans will be accepted by the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC). Although WCCHC may end its contract as a participating provider with HMSA QUEST, WCCHC will continue to be available to serve all community members including those with HMSA QUEST.

In addition, plan choice forms initially mailed by MQD on Oahu and Maui did not include Kaiser Permanente as a choice.  Kaiser lifted its enrollment limit and is now open to new members on those islands. DHS already addressed this issue by resending corrected plan choice forms on May 8, 2013.

The MQD will send new APC forms to all QUEST members. Members who prefer to remain with their current health plan should not fill out the plan change form.  This is the only time during the benefit year that QUEST clients can choose a health plan.

The five health plans serving QUEST members are AlohaCare, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, Ohana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.  Kaiser is offered on Maui and Oahu only; the other health plans are offered statewide.

Health plan change requests already received by MQD will not be processed. Individuals, who wish to make a change to their current plan, must mail their new plan change form, or call MQD, during the new APC period June 17 – 28, 2013.  The DHS apologizes for the inconvenience.

For specific questions, Neighbor Island QUEST clients can contact their health plan directly, or call Med-QUEST Enrollment Services at 1-800-316-8005.  Oahu clients can call 524-3370.  More information about the DHS Med-QUEST Division, visit the DHS website

https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/mqd/

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Kayla Rosenfeld, Communications Specialist & Public Information Officer

586-4892; [email protected]; https://humanservices.hawaii.gov