
While an extended analysis is pending, please take note of the following highlights:
1. Pregnant women and children under 19 will continue to be eligible for state-administered Medicaid healthcare benefits (no effect on these individuals).
2. The Governor has signed emergency Med-QUEST rules that will continue current coverage for QUEST-eligible COFA citizens until February 2015. Click here to review the rules.
3. "Aged, Blind or Disabled" COFA citizens should continue to receive the benefits they receive currently. COFA citizens who are Aged, Blind or Disabled who wish to start receiving state healthcare benefits commensurate with federally-funded Medicaid services may apply for such benefits as long as the emergency rules are in effect.
4. Non-pregnant adult COFA citizens who are not "Aged, Blind or Disabled" will retain their current coverage so long as the emergency rules are in effect. In the meantime, their information will be sent to the Hawai'i Healthcare Connector to determine their eligibility for federal tax credits which may subsidize health insurance costs. The state may also provide temporary, emergency "premium assistance" for certain qualified health plans obtained through the Connector.
5. Sometime BEFORE the expiration of the emergency rules (120 days from November 5, 2014, i.e. February 2015), new rules will be issued for a "premium assistance program" regarding healthcare coverage for COFA citizens. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WILL BE ALLOWED PURSUANT TO PUBLIC NOTICE -- STAY TUNED!
Documents released by the Department of Human Services:
Public Notice of Emergency Rules
DHS Press Release
Background on COFA