Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Hawaii. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Med-QUEST (Medicaid) in Hawaii
Hawaii's Medicaid program is run by the Med-QUEST Division.
People 65 and older may qualify with income up to 100% of Hawaii's poverty level, which is higher than the mainland's, and savings under $2,000 for one person. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify through the medically needy spend-down once your medical bills are counted.
How to apply in Hawaii
- By phone
- 1-800-316-8005
- In person
- At a Med-QUEST Division Eligibility Office; you can also mail your application there.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Hawaii
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (2026) | $1,530 a month (100% of Hawaii's poverty level) | $2,075 a month (100% of Hawaii's poverty level) |
| Savings limit (2026) | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: through Medically Needy (aged, blind, disabled) you may qualify if medical bills bring your income down to $469 a month for one person or $632 for two (2026) |
|---|---|
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: adults may qualify with income up to $2,035 a month for one person (133% of Hawaii's poverty level, 2026) |
Source: Hawaii Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division (source 1)
How Hawaii is different
Where Hawaii's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Higher income limit: 100% of Hawaii's poverty level ($1,530 a month for one person in 2026)
- Spend-down (medically needy) available for people over the income limit
Source: Hawaii Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Hawaii
Executive Office on Aging (EOA)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Hawaii
Medicaid for older adults in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Hawaii Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division, 2026 MAGI and MAGI-Excepted Income Standards (effective 01/13/2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Hawaii Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division, Apply for Medicaid (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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