Kaiser and HMAA Post Losses and State Offers Hawaii Premium Plus (HPP)
Pacific Business News reported that Kaiser Permanente Hawaii reported a $700,000 loss for the first quarter of 2010 compared with a $300,000 loss during the same period last year. PBN also reported that Hawaii Medical Assurance Association showed a $305,474 loss in the first quarter — which it attributes to fees and other expenses related to its acquisition of Summerlin Life and Health Insurance Hawaii. That acquisition makes it the third largest insurer in Hawaii.
Hawaii to Start Seeing Effects of Health Act
The Honolulu Advertiser reported that on June 1, HMSA will open its rolls to the young adults, allowing people who would ordinarily lose their health coverage because of age, school graduation or school status change to keep health care insurance through their parents’ policies. They won’t be eligible for the coverage if they have insurance from an employer group.
That potentially could affect health care coverage for thousands of people, said Fred Fortin, HMSA senior vice president. That’s only one of a mind-numbing number of changes within the bill. Also in June, there will be relief for 34,300 Medicare beneficiaries who fall into the so-called doughnut hole or gap in Medicare Part D coverage. These people will automatically receive a one-time payment of $250, with the first group of rebate checks being mailed on June 15, according to AARP.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 24, 2010. The Senate bill has 10 major sections and is some 2,400 pages long. Major provisions can be found here.
Hawaii Premium Plus (HPP) Started May 1
Hawaii Premium Plus (HPP) is a new, temporary program designed to stimulate the economy, decrease unemployment, create jobs and prevent individuals from needing medical or other public assistance. HPP provides a health insurance premium reimbursement to employers who increase staffing between May 1, 2010, and April 30, 2011. Some of the FAQs:
Applications must be received within two months of hiring new employees. HPP requires employers to sign an Application to Enroll Employer and Employer Participation Agreement (HPP 8000-T) and a W-9, and complete an Application to Enroll Employee (HPP 8000-U) for each new hire for whom they request reimbursement. These forms and additional information about HPP are available online at www.PremiumPlus.hawaii.gov.
Can a prospective employee be covered by more than one health plan, i.e., through the employer’s sponsored health coverage and their spouse’s?
Yes.
Are any documents required?
Yes, just the employer’s W-9 form.
Does the newly hired employee need to provide documents such as pay statements?
No.
Does the employee have to be a U.S. citizen?
No.
When does participation in Hawaii Premium Plus start?
Employers will be eligible for reimbursement as of the first day of the month in which a full month’s health coverage is provided for a newly hired employee.
Are there other on-going requirements?
Eligible employers are required to complete and submit a Quarterly Report (HPP 8000-V) within 15 days of the end of the quarter.
