Hawai‘i Health Connector Signs Key Contracts

State-based health exchange selects IT contractor and names agency of record for research, communication strategy and public relations

News Release from Hawaii Health Connector, December 7, 2012

The Hawai‘i Health Connector today announced the award recipients for two separate contracts; one to construct the online marketplace for the state-based health insurance exchange, and a second contract for public relations services.

“This is an exciting next step in the establishment of the health insurance exchange in Hawai‘i,” said Coral Andrews, Hawai‘i Health Connector’s executive director. “Our new partners will not only help us to build a system that will make health insurance more transparent and available in Hawai‘i, they will also help us to get the word out about the key benefits of the system to Hawai‘i residents and businesses.”

Through the signing of Act 205 Governor Neil Abercrombie designated the Connector to be the State’s health insurance exchange pursuant to the Affordable Care Act. Key to this function is the development of information technology (IT) systems needed to carry out the ACA’s goals of improving the accessibility of health insurance to individuals and qualifying small businesses.

The $53 million, four-year contract to construct and maintain the online marketplace and associated financial and plan management systems was awarded to CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc. (CGI) of Fairfax, Virginia. Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the sixth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. With approximately 72,000 professionals located in offices and global delivery centers in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, CGI offers a comprehensive portfolio of services including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management as well as more than 100 proprietary solutions.

The contract for communication services was awarded to Honolulu-based Milici Valenti Ng Pack, Inc. (MVNP). MVNP will be responsible for market research, communication strategy and public relations to raise awareness about the Connector. The $1.2 million contract will run through August 2013, with the option to extend for an additional year.

“The Connector’s goal is to link Hawai‘i’s people, particularly individuals and small businesses, with access to affordable health care coverage,” added Connector director of communications Rose Hughes. “To do that, the Connector requires a sophisticated system that lays out the health benefits, choices and costs available, and is easy to understand and navigate. When completed, the Connector will serve as a one-stop resource that allows consumers and small businesses to shop and compare health insurance plans, as well as determine eligibility for financial assistance.”

Hawai‘i has chosen to develop a state-based health insurance exchange rather than a federally facilitated or federal partnership exchange. The Connector’s online marketplace will go live on October 1, 2013 to offer qualified health plans, which will be effective January 1, 2014. The Connector’s aim is to build an exchange that is of Hawai‘i for Hawai‘i, and that takes into account the state’s unique culture and preserves the Prepaid Health Care Act.

For more information, please visit www.HawaiiHealthConnector.com.

About the Hawai‘i Health Connector

The Hawai‘i Health Connector is the online health insurance exchange for Hawai‘i. The Connector was established as a non-profit organization in 2011 by the Hawai‘i State Legislature through Act 205, in order to comply with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010. The Connector’s aim is an online marketplace that is of Hawai‘i-for-Hawai‘i, one that takes into account the State’s unique culture and works with the Prepaid Health Care

Act, an employer mandate for health insurance coverage in effect since 1974. For more information, visit www.hawaiihealthconnector.com.

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