Here’s a question that doesn’t get nearly enough attention when people plan their move to Hawaii: what the heck are you doing about health insurance?

Yeah, I know. Not as fun as talking about which beach is best or whether you should live on Maui or the Big Island. But if you’re moving here to work remotely, start a business, or retire, figuring out your healthcare situation matters. A lot.

The good news? Hawaii actually has solid healthcare and two really good insurance options. The potentially confusing news? Those two options—Kaiser Permanente and HMSA—work completely differently, and which one makes sense for you depends on where you’re living, what you need, and how you like to access care.

Rather than me writing you a novel about deductibles and co-pays, I’m going to let you hear directly from people who actually live here and use these systems.

What You’ll Learn in This Video

In this conversation, three Hawaii real estate professionals—who live on different islands and have real experience with both Kaiser and HMSA—break down everything you actually need to know:

The fundamental difference between Kaiser and HMSA. These aren’t just two insurance companies with different logos. They’re completely different systems, and understanding how each one works is crucial before you choose.

What healthcare looks like on each island. Spoiler alert: Oahu has way more options than the neighbor islands. If you’re planning to live somewhere rural, that factors heavily into which insurance makes sense.

The real costs you’re looking at. Whether you’re getting coverage through an employer or paying out of pocket, you’ll hear actual numbers from people living it.

How the geography of Hawaii affects your healthcare. Living on the Big Island with an hour between Kona and Hilo? Planning to settle in upcountry Maui? These logistics matter more than you think.

What happens when you need specialist care. Here’s the reality: for certain specialties, you’re flying to Oahu. Both insurance options cover this, but how it works varies.

The seamless vs. flexible trade-off. Kaiser gives you an integrated system where everything lives under one roof. HMSA gives you way more provider choice. Neither approach is wrong—they’re just different, and one probably fits your life better than the other.

Why This Video Is Worth Your Time

Look, you can spend hours Googling “Kaiser vs HMSA Hawaii” and reading insurance company marketing materials that tell you how great they are. Or you can spend an hour listening to real people who live here, use these systems, and aren’t trying to sell you anything.

You’ll hear about:

  • What it’s actually like using Kaiser’s integrated system and that app everyone raves about
  • How HMSA’s provider network works (and why finding a doctor taking new patients can be trickier than you’d think)
  • Real experiences with everything from having kids to managing chronic conditions to dealing with emergency care
  • Vision and dental coverage (because neither Kaiser nor HMSA’s medical plans include dental, and that trips people up)
  • VA coverage for veterans and how that works across the islands
  • Quest/Medicaid options if you qualify
  • What happens when your mainland insurance doesn’t transfer over

The conversation is honest, practical, and covers the stuff that actually matters when you’re trying to make this decision.

The Question You Should Be Asking

It’s not “which insurance is better?” Both Kaiser and HMSA work. People have perfectly good healthcare experiences with both.

The real question is: which system fits the life you’re planning to live in Hawaii?

If you’re moving to suburban Oahu or a major town on Maui, your options are different than if you’re planning to live somewhere rural on the Big Island. If you work from home and love the idea of video appointments and everything being in one app, your priorities are different than someone who values maximum provider choice above all else.

The video walks through different scenarios and profiles so you can figure out which one actually matches your situation.

Before You Watch: Here’s What to Think About

As you’re watching this conversation, keep these questions in mind:

  • Where exactly are you planning to live? Not just which island, but which part of that island?
  • Do you already have relationships with doctors or specialists you want to maintain?
  • Do you travel frequently off-island or back to the mainland?
  • Are you getting insurance through an employer, or are you buying it independently?
  • Do you prefer a streamlined, integrated system or maximum flexibility in choosing providers?

Your answers to these questions will help you figure out which direction to lean.

What Happens Next

After you watch the video, you’ll have a much clearer picture of how healthcare actually works in Hawaii and which insurance option makes sense for your specific situation.

But here’s the thing—health insurance is just one piece of the puzzle when you’re planning a move to Hawaii. Where you live matters too. Being close to healthcare facilities might not be on your radar now, but it becomes increasingly important over time.

This is where working with people who actually know Hawaii inside and out makes a huge difference. The Agency Team Hawaii works with people relocating here all the time. They understand that finding the right place isn’t just about ocean views and square footage—it’s about making sure you’re set up for success in every aspect of your life here, including healthcare access.

They can tell you which neighborhoods have easy access to Kaiser clinics, where the hospitals are located, what areas have the best infrastructure, and how drive times factor into daily life. Because when you’re house hunting in Hawaii, healthcare proximity might not be top of mind. But five years from now? You’ll be glad someone helped you think it through.

The Real Talk

Moving to Hawaii is incredible. It’s also complicated. There are a thousand details to figure out, and health insurance is one of those things that’s easy to put off until you’re already here—and then it becomes urgent and stressful.

Do yourself a favor and watch this video now, while you’re still in the planning stages. Get the information you need to make a good decision. And if you’ve got questions after watching, reach out. The people who live here and work with relocating families every day are happy to help.

Because the goal isn’t just to get you to Hawaii. It’s to get you here and set up properly so you can actually enjoy this incredible place without sweating the logistics.

Watch the video. Take notes. And then let’s talk about making this move happen the right way.

 

 

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