First let me say I work at HMSA (Hawaii Medical Service Association) so this is not an unbiased piece. 🙂
A lot of my friends are members of the EUTF (Hawaiʻi Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund). This year OE (Open Enrollment) is far later than normal and things have changed quite a bit since last year.
In the past if you did not choose a health care plan you would receive the same plan you had in the previous period; not so this year. This year, if you are an HMSA PPO member you will be moved into the HMA plan. This may or may not be what you want. I’m admittedly biased, but most of the friends I’ve explained this to definitely wanted to stay with HMSA.
Here’s a chart (lifted from the site I mention below) showing options.
The reference guide is at: http://eutf.hawaii.gov/OE_2010/Active_Reference_Guide_2010.pdf
The EC-1 instructions are at: http://eutf.hawaii.gov/OE_2010/Form_EC-1__final_INSTRUCTIONS_Oct09_.pdf
The actual form is at: http://eutf.hawaii.gov/OE_2010/Form_EC-1__final_FORM_Oct09_.pdf
Here’s another great blog that explains all this even better…ByteMarks.Org.
As I said, I am an employee of HMSA which does, for good reason, make me a bit biased. But here’s something to chew on. HMSA is a non-profit health care plan, based in Hawaiʻi with a mission to provide quality, affordable health care to the people of Hawaiʻi. Here’s a link to HMA, you decide.
EUTF members will have to make their own choice, but I’m hoping it’s an informed choice.
Aloha!
Slower, cheaper, less useful…