Assisted Living in Hawaii

With its breathtaking scenery and comfortable year-round climate, Hawaii is an idyllic retirement destination. Nearly one-fifth of the state’s 1.4 million residents are aged 65 or older. The number of older adults is expected to increase 33% by 2030, which means that demand for assisted living and other age-related supports is on the rise.

Whether you live on Oahu, Maui or one of the lesser-trafficked islands, Hawaii offers retirees a high quality of life and plenty of options for geriatric care, so it’s not surprising that the state ranked fifth in the nation for its overall livability in our 2024 Senior Living Report. Although Hawaii goes by the nickname Paradise of the Pacific, it ranks 18th in the nation for its affordability. Assisted living costs $5,375 per month on average. This is about 20% higher than the national average, but it’s more affordable than many states, including those on the West Coast.

This guide covers everything you need to know about assisted living in the Aloha State, including average long-term care prices, financial assistance programs and assisted living regulations. You’ll also find a number of free resources for seniors that are available at the state and local levels.

When trying to decide how to pay for assisted living, one of the first questions that comes up is "How much does it cost?" With the impact of inflation, it's more important than ever to have up-to-date information when making a financial plan for senior living. To help shed light on real senior living prices, Caring.com has compiled proprietary cost data from its network of over 75,000 senior living providers to offer insight into the average cost of assisted living in Hawaii and its 2 cities.

Hawaii's assisted living prices average $6,039 per month. However, there's a $740 difference between price norms in the state's top cities. In the state capital, Honolulu, prices average $5,299, whereas in Kapolei, prices average $6,039. In Los Angeles, CA, monthly costs are around $119 cheaper. Prices are considerably more affordable in Seattle, WA, averaging $4,711 — 22% less than in Hawaii.

Senior living costs in Hawaii vary based on care types. Assisted living is $6,039, while independent living is nearly 30% cheaper at $4,274. Memory care communities provide specialized, round-the-clock dementia care, so their prices are higher at $7,271. Factors such as amenities, location, staffing levels and signature programs can all influence individual provider prices. Consequently, it pays to remain mindful of specific wants and needs while comparing senior living communities.

Med-QUEST is Hawaii’s Medicaid program. This acronym stands for quality care, universal access, efficient utilization and stabilizing costs to transform the way health care is provided. Hawaii follows a managed care model that integrates medical care and long-term services and supports, including coverage for assisted living services, personal care, skilled nursing and adult residential care homes.

Beneficiaries are enrolled in health plans administered by one of several commercial insurance providers, and they have the option to change plans once a year and at the time of enrollment. One of the main advantages of this model is that assisted living services are covered directly through Medicaid. This eliminates the waiting lists that typically apply to waiver services in other states, and helps to ensure you get the care you need when you need it.

In addition to covering primary and emergency medical care, Med-QUEST provides a variety of long-term services and supports that are medically necessary. These include institutional care, such as intermediate or skilled nursing, and home- and community-based alternatives such as assisted living. Here are some of the services that you may be eligible for based on a physician assessment.

• Assisted living services
• Case management
• Move-in assistance
• Residential care homes
• Emergency response systems
• Medical equipment and supplies
• Level I and II personal care
• Non Medical transportation

The fastest and easiest way to apply for Med-QUEST is by completing an online application using the Kolea portal at Medical.MyBenefits.Hawaii.gov. You can also apply over the phone by calling (877) 628-5076. Alternatively, paper applications may be mailed or faxed to your local Med-QUEST Division Eligibility office. If you need help completing your application, a DHS community navigator can provide free assistance.

Information You Will Need

• Personal information, including name and address
• Social Security number
• Date of birth and proof of age
• Proof of citizenship or legal residency
• Information about your tax filing status and any dependents
• Details about any insurance coverage
• Information about income and assets

Med QUEST is a Hawaiian Medicaid program that stands for Quality care, Universal access, Efficient utilization, Stabilizing costs and Transform. This program is open to low-income elderly residents and provides unrestricted funding for E-ARCHS and care services that don't include meals and lodging in assisted living communities. The program was created to replace Hawaii's Medicaid waivers: Nursing Home Without Walls and Residential Alternative Community Care.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be Hawaii residents at least 65 years old
• Have a monthly income that is no more than 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. The exact amount is adjusted each year. For those who have more than the income restrictions, Hawaii offers the Medically Needy pathway for those who have significant medical expenses that reduce their monthly income below $470.40. This amount requires legislative action to change
• Fall below the countable assets limits, which are $2,000 for single seniors and $3,000 for married couples. Primary homes valued at less than $858,000, one vehicle, home furnishings and personal items are not considered countable assets.

To learn more about eligibility requirements, Seniors can submit their application online on the Hawaii Medicaid benefits website. Benefits experts at the Med QUEST office are available to answer questions and assist with applications at 1-808-587-3521.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Check with the assisted living facility you've chosen to ensure the home accepts payments from this subsidy. Not all assisted living communities will take every form of financial aid. However, some may offer low-income programs that help you afford the cost of care.