Hawaii Medical Service Association
Encyclopedia
Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) is an insurance company in Hawaii
. It was founded in 1938 and is affiliated with Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
.
, an association of independent medical insurance providers. A nonprofit, mutual benefit association founded in 1938, HMSA covers more than half of the state’s population. HMSA’s headquarters are located at the HMSA Center, 818 Keeaumoku Street, in Honolulu, 21°17′49"N 157°50′29"W.
In the 1960s, HMSA developed health plans for senior citizens, college students, and the unemployed. Drug, dental and vision plans, and preventive benefits, were introduced. In 1972, HMSA introduced the Community Health Program, its first Health maintenance organization
(HMO). The Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act
of 1974 required nearly all employers to provide health insurance to full-time employees. In 1980, Health Plan Hawaii was certified as a federally qualified HMO.
In 1990, HMSA joined the Blue Cross Association and became the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association plan of Hawaii. In 1994, HMSA began contracting with Hawaii QUEST, a state program with medical, dental and behavioral health benefits for Medicaid
or State Health Insurance Program recipients. In 1999, the National Committee for Quality Assurance
(NCQA) awarded Health Plan Hawaii with the highest HMO accreditation possible.
HMSA offers plans through employers and individual plans for those not eligible through employer groups.
Some health plans may include supplemental benefit coverage for prescription drugs and dental, vision, and complementary care (acupuncture
, chiropractic
care and massage therapy).
HMSA’s health and wellness programs help members stay healthy and avoid costly chronic diseases.).
Members show their HMSA card to participating businesses to receive the discounts.
s of 27 seconds receive cash awards and are aired on television. The contest has been held since 2004.
HMSA has consecutively increased its premiums since 2000. In 2008 and 2009, HMSA increased its rates by 10.4% and 12.1% respectively, twice the national average of 5%.
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. It was founded in 1938 and is affiliated with Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a federation of 39 separate health insurance organizations and companies in the United States. Combined, they directly or indirectly provide health insurance to over 100 million Americans. The history of Blue Cross dates back to 1929, while the history of...
.
Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA)
The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) is a member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield AssociationBlue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a federation of 39 separate health insurance organizations and companies in the United States. Combined, they directly or indirectly provide health insurance to over 100 million Americans. The history of Blue Cross dates back to 1929, while the history of...
, an association of independent medical insurance providers. A nonprofit, mutual benefit association founded in 1938, HMSA covers more than half of the state’s population. HMSA’s headquarters are located at the HMSA Center, 818 Keeaumoku Street, in Honolulu, 21°17′49"N 157°50′29"W.
History
In 1935, a group of Hawaii social workers started a nonprofit association governed by a community board of directors. In June 1938, HMSA established its headquarters in Honolulu with 671 members. In 1946, HMSA joined the Blue Shield Association. During the 1950s, HMSA introduced a Major Medical Plan to help protect against the cost of catastrophic illness.In the 1960s, HMSA developed health plans for senior citizens, college students, and the unemployed. Drug, dental and vision plans, and preventive benefits, were introduced. In 1972, HMSA introduced the Community Health Program, its first Health maintenance organization
Health maintenance organization
A health maintenance organization is an organization that provides managed care for health insurance contracts in the United States as a liaison with health care providers...
(HMO). The Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act
Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act
Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act is a state law enacted January 1, 1975 in the State of Hawaii to improve health care coverage by employer mandate. Under the law, businesses are required to offer health insurance to employees who work more than twenty hours per week for four or more consecutive...
of 1974 required nearly all employers to provide health insurance to full-time employees. In 1980, Health Plan Hawaii was certified as a federally qualified HMO.
In 1990, HMSA joined the Blue Cross Association and became the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association plan of Hawaii. In 1994, HMSA began contracting with Hawaii QUEST, a state program with medical, dental and behavioral health benefits for Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
or State Health Insurance Program recipients. In 1999, the National Committee for Quality Assurance
National Committee for Quality Assurance
The National Committee for Quality Assurance is an independent 501 non-profit organization in the United States designed to improve health care quality. It was established in 1990 with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. NCQA manages voluntary accreditation programs for individual...
(NCQA) awarded Health Plan Hawaii with the highest HMO accreditation possible.
Plans and programs
HMSA offers a variety of health plans, including Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans.HMSA offers plans through employers and individual plans for those not eligible through employer groups.
Some health plans may include supplemental benefit coverage for prescription drugs and dental, vision, and complementary care (acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of solid, generally thin needles in the body....
, chiropractic
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine...
care and massage therapy).
HMSA’s health and wellness programs help members stay healthy and avoid costly chronic diseases.).
HMSA365
HMSA365 is a program for HMSA members to receive discounts on selected health and wellness services in Hawaii. Launched in 2009, HMSA365 was created in conjunction with the national Blue365, a health and wellness discount program of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The name was chosen because health plan members can receive the discounts 365 days of the year to help them stay healthy and fit.Members show their HMSA card to participating businesses to receive the discounts.
Quality and Service Recognition Programs
HMSA’s Practitioner Quality and Service Recognition program evaluates HMSA providers and pays financial rewards to those who maintain a high level of patient care and service based on best practice guidelines and other medical performance standards. A similar initiative, the Hospital Quality and Service Recognition program, pays hospitals for achieving specific performance standards.HMSA Teen Video Awards
The HMSA Teen Video Awards Contest is open to middle school and high school students throughout the state. Public Service AnnouncementPublic service announcement
A public service announcement or public service ad is a type of advertisement featured on television, radio, print or other media...
s of 27 seconds receive cash awards and are aired on television. The contest has been held since 2004.
Organization
HMSA’s affiliated companies and subsidiaries include:- Integrated Services, Incorporated supports health care providers with emerging technologies and resources to help them run their practices more efficiently.
- The HMSA Foundation focuses on Hawaii’s health care industry issues through grantmaking, strategic initiatives, publications, and community programs. Two of the Foundation’s major projects are The Hawaii Uninsured Project and Health Trends in Hawaii, which provides objective, reliable health care data.
Annual Rate Hikes
In March 2010, HMSA planned to raise premiums by 7.8% to small businesses, and 15.1% for clients under its large business plan, "Health Plan Hawaii Plus". The insurer claimed the hikes were necessary to cover rising healthcare costs.HMSA has consecutively increased its premiums since 2000. In 2008 and 2009, HMSA increased its rates by 10.4% and 12.1% respectively, twice the national average of 5%.