A Maui Adventure?

[kmkord]

Originally Posted by whynot?

Several years ago, I moved from the metro-DC (but Northern Virginia) area to the Richmond (state capitol of VA) area with a long history of Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage. [AKA: BC/BS, not to be smart.]

When I moved, I had to totally reapply (and be researched for pre-existing conditions and other possible "issues") in order to be covered in CENTRAL Virginia.

As you will likely learn if you move here, EVERYTHING is "a little different" in Hawai'i. Brand names that work one way on the mainland have another way of doing business here. Independant mainland franchises are consolidated and have slightly different rules. There are regional laws and customs that vary from state to state, ESPECIALLY Hawai'i.

So be VERY cautious about things like healthcare, existing-credit, auto leases, and major potential liabilities that you might take for granted on the contiguous-state side. We are a state, but still treated like a territory in some legal senses. Take nothing for granted -- get EVERYTHING in writing.

Best of luck.

We would not be changing jobs. My Husband currently works for this company. He is a home based employee, which means that his employment is not tied to him living in any certain area.

Insurance is provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield for all employees. Does living in Hawaii mean that we have to have insurance through BC BS Hawaii? Our current coverage is through BC BS based in NY, since that is where corporate headquarters are for this large company. Employees living across the country have this same insurance.

Can we just keep our current BC BS coverage while living in Hawaii?

[Calico Salsa]

Originally Posted by kmkord

We would not be changing jobs. My Husband currently works for this company. He is a home based employee, which means that his employment is not tied to him living in any certain area.

Insurance is provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield for all employees. Does living in Hawaii mean that we have to have insurance through BC BS Hawaii? Our current coverage is through BC BS based in NY, since that is where corporate headquarters are for this large company. Employees living across the country have this same insurance.

Can we just keep our current BC BS coverage while living in Hawaii?

I think your questions are best asked directly to BC BS. We here might speculate or relate our own experiences, but there are too many factors for you to rely on strangers for this advice. Just call BC BS and ask.

Now, that said, one thing to consider is - let's say you can get same coverage here. You still need to find healthcare practitioners who will have the experience you need (depending on your own health situation) and will also be available to take new patients. Even if you stayed right where you are, you are probably familiar with how it can be a somewhat protracted process to find a doctor you like and who can take you. You might want to start that process a bit early.

I have a friend who has very specific healthcare needs. There is simply no one on Maui who has the medical experience to care for him. Therefore he could not move here and thrive, maybe not even survive. If anyone in your family has specific healthcare needs, find out which doctors could give the care they need, then find out if your coverage would apply to them.

I say call BC BS, tell them about your situation, get a list of doctors on the island who would be in your coverage plan, then call the docs to see if they are taking in new patients. It's work, but better done in advance than waiting until you need to make an appointment and finding out you have a long wait or can't find a specialist.

[whynot?]

Thank you, "Calico Salsa." I couldn't have said it better. (Well, maybe I *could* have and that was the original problem.) Anyway, I'd definitely call BC/BS (because there are sometimes legal issues regarding "residence" and coverage). And your advice about anticipating and researching the kinds of care the OP's family might need is spot on. As usual.

Friends of ours recently moved to Oahu instead of Maui because of the dearth of doctors and specialties. They are pretty young (40s/50s) and pretty healthy, but were very turned off by the lack of options on Maui.

[tortoise31]

Get your contract and read it. I used to work for Empire BC/BS. It depends on your type of contract. If you have a PPO or plan with out of network coverage you should be OK unless there is some other overriding language. If you have in-network coverage only there might be an issue. You might have to change plans to get one with OON benefits. And keep track of every phone call you make, whom you spoke to, date and time. If possible, try to get it in writing via email and keep a copy.

[Bunny Foofoo]

Originally Posted by mdand3boys

This is wrong information! If you follow the rules on importing your dog/cat, there is no quarantine! It does, however, take about 6 months to get the shots, health exams and paperwork done, during which time, your pet is in no such thing as quarantine.

The ONLY time your pet has to be quarantined, at all, is if YOU don't get the necessary advance work done before you move.

thank you for the correction !! Im glad I was wrong !

[PalmerPhotography]

KMKORD - I'm curious is you ended up moving to Hawai'i? If not - does anyone else have more opinions on the Kihei Virtual Program? Mahalo!