Hawai‘i Health Connector Announces Marketplace Assister Funding Opportunity

News Release from Hawaii Health Connector HONOLULU, MAY 9, 2013 —

The Hawai‘i Health Connector today announced that it has a funding opportunity available to organizations and individuals in Hawai`i for development and implementation of in-person marketplace assisters.  The marketplace assister program, called Hi`i Ola, will provide outreach, education and facilitate enrollment for those seeking health insurance through the Hawai`i Health Connector. The awards will be distributed as block grants to community organizations and individuals who are established as trusted resources within their communities.

The funding opportunity announcement is available on the Connector’s website at: http://www.Hawaiihealthconnector.com/news-and-media/public-notices/Hiiola.

“The marketplace assisters are an integral component to reaching and serving individuals and small businesses throughout our state,” said Coral Andrews, Hawai‘i Health Connector’s executive director.  “We understand the importance of trusted relationships in Hawai`i, and want to invest in individuals and organizations who can partner with us.”

The marketplace assisters will personally help consumers located on every island.  They will provide impartial assistance about plan options, assist with enrollment and conduct outreach and education for individuals and small business owners. This will include educating small business owners about tax credits only available through the Connector and individuals about the advanced premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.

“The Connector’s goal is to simplify the process for small business owners to provide insurance for their employees and take advantage of the tax credits currently available,” said Rose Hughes, Hawai`i Health Connector’s director of communications.

“The Hawai`i Health Connector is great tool for comparing and purchasing health insurance,” said Bonnie ʻĀnela McAfee-Torco, the Hawai`i Health Connector’s regional consumer relations coordinator.  “We want to make sure people know that there’s a friend and neighbor to help them understand the process of enrolling in a quality health care plan.”

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For more information about the Connector, please visit 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.