State Targets Hawai‘i Health Connector Non-Compliance

Hawaiʻi Health Connector logo.

By Maui Now Staff

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found the Hawaiʻi Health Connector to be non-compliant with the Affordable Care Act earlier this year.

Uunresolved IT problems, a non-integrated eligibility enrollment system and lack of financial sustainability were found to be in non-compliance–the state administration has been informed about these issues.

Since February 2015, representatives of Gov. David Ige’s administration have been meeting with HHC to determine how to address problem.

Concurrently, CMS restricted grant funding to HHC and is providing limited funding pending approval of a draft plan being developed by HHC and the state.

Recent news reports based on confidential working draft documents have misrepresented the ongoing discussions between the federal government, state administration and HHC.

If Hawaiʻi’s plan is not acceptable to CMS, the state risks losing $1 billion in matching federal Medicaid funds.

“Gov. Ige and his administration will negotiate the release of federal grant funds to ensure compliance with the ACA in time for the Fall 2015 open enrollment,” said Deputy Chief of Staff Laurel Johnston.

“Our first priority is to ensure the continuity of coverage for the 37,000 to 40,000 Hawaiʻi residents who are receiving health insurance coverage through HHC,” said HHC Executive Director Jeff Kissel.