Insurance

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Insurance Division

NEIL ABERCROMBIE
GOVERNOR

KEALII S. LOPEZ
DIRECTOR

GORDON ITO
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 14, 2014

State Releases 2015 ACA Premium Comparison for Plans Offered on Connector
Insurance Commissioner Urges Consumers to Compare and Beware of Scammers

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Insurance Division reminds the public that the 2015 open enrollment for thousands of residents to purchase a Qualified Health Plan begins Saturday, Nov. 15, and ends Feb. 15, 2015. Individuals and small businesses with 50 employees or less will be able to sign up for health insurance or change their existing plans.

“We want to remind consumers that tax credits for small businesses and subsidies for individuals are only available for plans purchased through the Hawaii Health Connecter,” said Insurance Commissioner Gordon Ito. “In some cases, these cost saving opportunities could dramatically reduce premiums. This should be taken into consideration when comparing plans.”

To help make the process easier, the Division released its premium comparison guide for 2015 Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans. Individuals and small businesses can use the guide to compare rates for ACA plans offered on the Hawaii Health Connector (“Connector”) as well as off the Connector. If individuals and small business have a “transitional” plan, also known as “grandmother” plan, they should compare their current health insurance plan and premiums with the ACA 2015 premiums.  To download the guides, visit cca.hawaii.gov/ins.

The 2015 comparison guide for small businesses does not contain the rates for University Health Alliance (UHA), Hawaii Medical Assurance Association (HMAA), and Family Health because those insurers’ filings are still under review. This guide was made available through Act 066, which was proposed by the insurance commissioner to increase openness and rate transparency, and can also be downloaded from the Division’s website.

Additionally, small businesses renewing policies in 2014 can also use the Insurance Division’s 2014 fourth quarter guide to compare ACA rates that have been approved for Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), Kaiser Hawaii, UHA, HMAA and Family Health. These rates are effective until the end of 2014.

During this open enrollment period, consumers should be cautious and aware of scammers who may try to take advantage of individuals and businesses shopping around for health insurance.

Here are some important “red flags” to watch out for:

• The salesperson says the premium offer is only good for a limited time.
• You receive an unsolicited phone call or email from someone trying to sell insurance.
• Health plans that do not provide minimum essential coverage.
• A salesperson tries to pressure you into giving personal information over the phone including credit and/or debit card numbers or your social security number.
• Websites that allow you to purchase coverage before the Nov. 15 open enrollment start date.
• Discount health cards marketed as health insurance.

The best way for consumers to protect themselves from insurance fraud is to research the agent and company using the Insurance Division’s Insurance License Search, https://insurance.ehawaii.gov/hils/.

To report any suspicious incidents regarding the sale of a health insurance policy, contact the Division’s Health Insurance Branch at (808) 586-2804.

The Hawaii Insurance Division oversees the Hawaii insurance industry; issues licenses; examines the fiscal condition of Hawaii-based companies; reviews rate and policy filings; and investigates insurance-related complaints.

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Media Contact:
Lindsay Chambers
Insurance Division
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
(808) 587-6735
[email protected]
cca.hawaii.gov