Hawaii’s Health Insurance Exchange Signs $54.2M in Key Contracts

Coral Andrews, Executive Director. Hawaii Health Connector. Photo courtesy of HHC.

By Sonia Isotov

The Hawai‘i Health Connector, the new online health insurance exchange for Hawai‘i, today announced the signing of two key contracts to build and publicize the new system due out October 2013.

The award covers two separate contracts; one to construct the online marketplace for the state-based health insurance exchange, and a second contract for public relations services.

“This is an exciting next step in the establishment of the health insurance exchange in Hawai‘i,” said Coral Andrews, Hawai‘i Health Connector’s executive director, in a written statement.

“Our new partners will not only help us to build a system that will make health insurance more transparent and available in Hawai‘i, they will also help us to get the word out about the key benefits of the system to Hawai‘i residents and businesses.”

Through the signing of Act 205 Governor Neil Abercrombie designated the Connector to be the state’s health insurance exchange pursuant to the Affordable Care Act (aka “Obamacare”). Key to this function is the development of information technology systems needed to carry out the ACA’s goals of improving the accessibility of health insurance to individuals and qualifying small businesses.

The $53 million, four-year contract to construct and maintain the online marketplace and associated financial and plan management systems was awarded to CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc. (CGI) of Fairfax, Virginia, one of the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in the world.

The contract for communication services was awarded to Honolulu-based Milici Valenti Ng Pack, Inc. (MVNP).  MVNP will be responsible for market research, communication strategy and public relations to raise awareness about the Connector. The $1.2 million contract will run through August 2013, with the option to extend for an additional year.

“The Connector’s goal is to link Hawaii’s people, particularly individuals and small businesses, with access to affordable health care coverage,” said Rose Hughes, the director of communications for the Hawaii Health Connector.

“To do that, the Connector requires a sophisticated system that lays out the health benefits, choices and costs available, and is easy to understand and navigate.  When completed, the Connector will serve as a one-stop resource that allows consumers and small businesses to shop and compare health insurance plans, as well as determine eligibility for financial assistance.”

Hawai‘i has chosen to develop a state-based health insurance exchange rather than a federally facilitated or federal partnership exchange.  The Connector’s online marketplace will go live on October 1, 2013 to offer qualified health plans, which will be effective January 1, 2014.

For more information, please visit www.HawaiiHealthConnector.com.