Medicare in Hawaii serves about 290,000 beneficiaries, with 51% enrolled in Medicare Advantage and the remainder on Original Medicare + Medigap. Average Medigap Plan G premium for a new 65-year-old enrollee: $162/mo. Stand-alone Part D plans average $42/mo.
Medicare Beneficiaries
290,000
Age 65+ and disabled
MA Enrollment
51%
% on Medicare Advantage
Avg Medigap Plan G
$162/mo
New enrollee, age 65
| Topic | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage plans available | 20+ | Varies by county; check medicare.gov plan finder |
| Top MA carriers | UnitedHealthcare, HMSA (BCBS Hawaii), Kaiser Permanente Hawaii | Networks differ by county |
| Stand-alone Part D | $42/mo | Required if you have Original Medicare + Medigap |
| Annual guaranteed-issue Medigap switching | No (one-time 6-month window at 65) | No state annual GI rights; island geography creates unique network adequacy dynamics — inter-island specialist access is a critical factor. |
Medigap premiums vary by carrier, age, and ZIP code. The 2026 Part B premium is $202.90/month and Part B deductible is $283. Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026.
Hawaii's Medicare market is heavily influenced by its island geography, which constrains both provider networks and plan competition. HMSA (Hawaii Medical Service Association), the state's Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate, has a dominant position in both MA and Medigap markets on Oahu and across the neighbor islands. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii operates a strong integrated MA plan concentrated on Oahu, leveraging its integrated delivery system at Moanalua Medical Center and a network of clinics. For beneficiaries on Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai, inter-island specialist referrals are a daily reality — beneficiaries must verify whether their MA plan covers air ambulance and specialist travel as needed, or whether Original Medicare provides better access to mainland tertiary care.
Medigap premiums in Hawaii average about $162/month, reflecting higher healthcare costs driven by the island cost structure. Part D premiums are somewhat below the national average, possibly reflecting the state's healthy lifestyle factors that reduce overall prescription drug utilization rates. Hawaii has no birthday rule or annual Medigap switching protections, so the 6-month open enrollment at 65 is the primary protection. Notably, Hawaii has some of the best health outcomes in the country, and its senior population benefits from exceptionally low rates of smoking and obesity relative to national benchmarks. The state's Medicare Advantage quality ratings are among the highest nationally.
In Hawaii, traditional Medicare combined with a Medigap supplement (typically Plan G or N) plus a stand-alone Part D plan provides nationwide access with predictable costs. Plan G covers everything except the $283 Part B deductible.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans bundle Medicare Parts A, B, and usually D into one private plan, often with $0 premium beyond Part B. Trade-offs include network restrictions and prior authorization. 51% of Hawaii beneficiaries currently choose MA.
No state annual GI rights; island geography creates unique network adequacy dynamics — inter-island specialist access is a critical factor.
💡 Hawaii Pro Tip
Hawaii beneficiaries on Oahu typically have access to 20 or more Medicare Advantage plans, with HMSA and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii being the dominant carriers. Neighbor islands like Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai have more limited options — often 5 to 15 plans — due to the smaller provider networks available on those islands.
Medigap Plan G premiums in Hawaii average approximately $162 per month for a 65-year-old. The higher cost reflects Hawaii's elevated healthcare delivery costs associated with island logistics. HMSA and Mutual of Omaha are among the primary Medigap carriers in the state.
Hawaii does not have state-level annual guaranteed-issue protections for Medigap. Outside of your 6-month open enrollment at 65 or a qualifying federal guaranteed-issue event, insurers can apply medical underwriting. Given the limited number of Medigap carriers in Hawaii, beneficiaries should enroll during the open enrollment window to ensure access to the best available plans.
Beneficiary counts and MA enrollment percentages from CMS state-level Medicare data; premium averages from 2026 carrier rate filings for Hawaii. Verify current plan costs at medicare.gov before enrolling.
Jennifer Walsh
Editorial Lead, Health & Medicare
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed May 2026
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