Hawaii State Flexibility to Stabilize the Market Grant Award

Grant Application Summary

Hawaii Grantee: Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Award Date: August 20, 2018

Total Award: $278,527.95

Baseline Award: $274,344.83

Workload Award: $4,188.12

Sections 2702 and 2703 - In addition to ensuring health insurance issuers are offering approved products for purchase and continue to offer coverage at the option of an individual or plan sponsor (unless an exception applies), the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs will perform an actuarial or economic analysis to assess whether innovative measures are needed to strengthen the comprehensiveness, affordability and type of coverage offered by health insurance issuers in the individual and small group markets, and through the small group marketplace. Hawaii will hire consultants to perform a market analysis, develop best practices and implement adjustments to processes and procedures, provide staff training and training materials, develop internal manuals and checklists, create external checklists and materials, and enhance or reconcile State requirements with Federal standards. Stakeholder engagement may also lead to proposed legislation and result in changes to policies and procedures. Since the passage of the Hawaii Prepaid Healthcare Act in 1974, Hawaii has benefited from comprehensive employer health care coverage which has contributed to low uninsured rates and a healthier population. The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs will engage in stakeholder discussions to consider policy recommendations on other innovative measures to strengthen Hawaii’s unique marketplace.