Significant parts of the federal health care reform law known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) take effect on January 1, 2014. The ACA creates a new way for individuals to buy health insurance via the Health Insurance Marketplace, referred to in Hawaii as the “Hawaii Health Connector”.
This new option of purchasing health insurance does not change RCUH’s policy of providing health insurance to Regular status employees who are 50% FTE or greater (and their eligible dependents). Instead, the Hawaii Health Connector gives individuals the option to enroll in health insurance through its website, as opposed to obtaining coverage through an employer or purchasing insurance directly through a health insurer. This means that RCUH employees who are not currently eligible to enroll in RCUH’s health plans – perhaps because they are not Regular status employees or because they are Regular status employees who missed open enrollment – may choose to enroll for health insurance directly through the Hawaii Health Connector.
All RCUH employees will be receiving a notice entitled, “New Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage Options and Your Health Coverage” very shortly. This notice will provide you with the following information:
- Information and Additional Resources on the Health Insurance Marketplace (Hawaii Health Connector)
o Open Enrollment for health insurance coverage through the Marketplace begins in October 2013 for coverage starting as early as January 1, 2014.
- Information about health coverage currently offered by RCUH
o Please review Policy 3.520 RCUH Health Plans for detailed information on eligibility and coverage.
If you have any questions, please email RCUH Benefits at [email protected].