MEDIA RELEASE

Following the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) release of enrollment information, the Hawaii Health Connector has attracted a steady flow of applicants through Nov. 2.

“Our team has been working around the clock to promote access to coverage, to assist with enrollment and to take calls from the interested residents of Hawaii,” said Coral Andrews, executive director of the Hawaii Health Connector. “This multi-pronged approach that leverages our Contact Center, our Kokua and our dedicated staff is proving to be effective in processing applications as quickly and efficiently as possible to ensure the community has easy access to the enrollment process.”

Andrews said the initial reported numbers reflects both individuals directly enrolling in qualified health plans, as well as those who are seeking financial assistance through either the Department of Human Services (DHS) or Federal Advance Premium Tax Credit/ Cost Sharing (APTC) Reduction plans.

The Connector expects enrollment figures to climb as the Dec. 15 deadline nears for payment for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2014.

“We’re gearing up for the anticipated increase in activity on our web portal, through our Contact Center and in coordination with our community based marketplace assister organizations,” Andrews said.

The following data represents both Contact Center activity and applications processed through the online portal.

Marketplace assister organizations continue to be added to conduct outreach and education for the open enrollment period:

* 77,091 unique website visitors

* 4,514 individuals and/or cases who have begun the application process

* 3,237 accounts created by individuals

* 13,801 total calls to Contact Center

* 45 seconds average wait time

* 7 minutes 53 seconds average call time

* 97 total Certified Kokua

Although the individual plans have enjoyed active participation, Andrews added that some small businesses may not have yet signed up for a plan through the Hawaii Health Connector because their health plan agreements with insurance companies may continue through June 2014.

To date, 94 small business employers have completed.

The Hawaii Health Connector is the online health insurance marketplace for Hawaii. The Connector was established as a non-profit organization in 2011 by the state Legislature through Act 205, in order to comply with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010.

The Connector’s aim is an online marketplace that is of Hawaii-for-Hawaii, one that takes into account the State’s unique culture and works with the Prepaid Health Care Act, an employer mandate for health insurance coverage in effect since 1974.

— Find out more:
www.HawaiiHealthConnector.com