HMSA to end Keiki Care Plan on Dec. 31

The Keiki Care Plan, a free health insurance program for 2,000 uninsured children, will end on Dec. 31 after the state stopped funding its share of the program on Oct. 31. HMSA has continued paying the entire cost of the Keiki Care Plan after the state withdrew support, but announced on Nov. 21 that its funding also will end Dec. 31.

HMSA has offered coverage to Keiki Care families in 2009 through the HMSA Children's Plan at its 2008 rates. The Legislature created the Keiki Care Plan as a three-year pilot program to cover uninsured children in Hawaii, beginning on April 1. HMSA and the state split the program's cost, $100,000 a month.

When the Lingle administration announced on Oct. 15 that it would end state funding as of Oct. 31, HMSA said it would keep the program going through the end of the year. On Nov. 21, HMSA said some Keiki Care families might qualify for the state's expanded QUEST program, which provides free health care coverage for children, and said it will contact families to ensure they submit applications to the Department of Human Services.

For those who do not qualify for QUEST, HMSA is offering subsidized coverage to Keiki Care children through the HMSA Children's Plan, which offers basic health care benefits, including dental services and some prescription drugs. Parents are responsible for the monthly dues of $55 per child.

The Department of Human Services has said the Keiki Care Plan had limited success in reaching uninsured children and recommended that children covered by Keiki Care apply for coverage through Medicaid.