Paying for assisted living in Hawaii
Most Hawaii families pay for assisted living privately at first, using savings, retirement income, the proceeds of a home sale, or a long-term care insurance policy. Costs vary quite a bit by island and by the level of help a resident needs, so it pays to compare communities side by side. You can see current pricing for specific communities in the pricing tables below.
Because Hawaii's cost of living runs high, it's worth understanding early which public programs may help cover the care portion of assisted living, even though no program covers room and board.
Does Med-QUEST cover assisted living in Hawaii?
Hawaii's Medicaid program is called Med-QUEST, and most members receive their benefits through QUEST Integration, a managed-care program that includes long-term services and supports.
Here's what that means for assisted living:
- Med-QUEST does not pay for room and board in an assisted living setting. That cost is always the resident's responsibility.
- For people who meet a nursing-facility level of care, QUEST Integration's home- and community-based services can help pay for personal care, case management, and related support delivered in settings such as an assisted living residence, an expanded adult residential care home, or a community care foster family home.
- Eligibility depends on both financial limits (income and assets) and a functional/medical assessment. A health plan case manager develops an individualized service plan.
To apply, Hawaii residents use the state's MyBenefits portal or call Med-QUEST directly. Approval for long-term care benefits involves a separate level-of-care evaluation in addition to the financial review.
Does Medicare cover assisted living in Hawaii?
Medicare does not pay for assisted living room and board or for ongoing custodial (personal) care, which is the day-to-day help most assisted living residents need.
Medicare can still help with related medical needs, such as:
- Doctor visits, hospital care, and prescription drugs (under the usual Parts A, B, and D rules)
- A short, medically necessary stay in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying hospital admission
- Medicare-covered home health or hospice services when you qualify
For free, unbiased help understanding what Medicare does and doesn't cover, contact the Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Hawaii SHIP), the state's Medicare counseling program, at 1-888-875-9229.
