DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

PANKAJ BHANOT
DIRECTOR
CATHY BETTS
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

STATE OF HAWAII

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
P. O. Box 339
Honolulu, Hawaii 96809-0339

Press Release
January 23, 2020
Med-QUEST Announces Quest Integration Contract Awards
Honolulu, HI – A request for proposals for QUEST Integration (QI) Managed Care to Cover Medicaid and
Other Eligible Individuals was issued in August 2019. The State of Hawaii, Department of Human
Services, Med-QUEST Division is grateful to have received a total of four proposals as noted below:
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AlohaCare
HMSA
‘Ohana Health Plan
United HealthCare Community Plan

On January 22, 2020, Med-QUEST extended awards to each of the plans who submitted a proposal.
Hawaii Medical Services Association and United HealthCare were awarded contracts to provide services
statewide and ‘Ohana Health Plan and AlohaCare were awarded contracts to provide services to the
island of ‘Oahu only. These plans are scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2020.
We understand that this represents a change in how Med-QUEST has operated in recent years and we
do not take it lightly. We have spent the last three years speaking to people on each island, and one
thing we heard again and again was that having a lot of health plans was confusing to our beneficiaries
and burdensome to doctors and other providers.
We want to make sure that doctors are spending their time with their patients and not tied up in
paperwork with health plans. We also want to make sure that health plans have room to grow and be
successful, which can be hard in some areas where there are not a lot of people. The best health
outcomes happen when providers are given the support they need, and individuals, families and
communities are empowered. We don’t think having two health plans on the Neighbor Islands cuts
down on resources, we think it gives beneficiaries, health care providers, and community organizations
more leverage and opportunity to come together and better use the same amount of resources – or
bring even more resources to the community.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AGENCY

 At this time, there is no need for members to take any action as existing health plan coverage will
continue for eligible members. Med-QUEST has created a timeline to accommodate the member
transition process. Additionally, every member affected by the change will have an opportunity in the
future to enroll in a participating plan available on their island of residence. Over the coming months,
Med-QUEST will communicate to all members confirming when the transition time will begin.
Please be assured that Med-QUEST has prepared for this transition to ensure as timely and seamless
process as possible with no gaps in health service to our members.
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About Med-QUEST: The State of Hawaii Med-QUEST Division (MQD) provides eligible low-income
adults and children access to health and medical coverage through managed care plans. The QUEST
program is designed to provide Quality care, Universal access, Efficient utilization, Stabilizing costs, and
to Transform the way health care is provided to recipients.
Media Contact:
Amanda Stevens, Public Information Officer
Department of Human Services
Email: astevens@dhs.hawaii.gov
Phone: 586-4892

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AGENCY