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Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
FAQs by Category
General
Benefits
Prescription Drugs
Retirees
Regarding New HMSA
General
- Q: What does HMA stand for?
A: The new claims administrator’s corporate name is HMA, Inc. HMA is not an acronym.
- Q: What is a claims administrator?
A: A claims administrator is a professional organization that processes claims according
to the benefit plan adopted by the trustees.
- Q: How will HMA be different from HMSA?
A: HMA will not be different from HMSA. HMA will process claims for the HSTA VEBA Trust in
a similar manner that HMSA processed claims.
- Q: Does HMA have a website specifically for HSTA VEBA Trust members?
A: Yes, the website that HSTA VEBA Trust members can go to for provider directory and other
information is www.hsta-hma.com.
- Q: Why did the VEBA Trust change from HMSA to HMA?
A: The main reason for the change in claims administrator from HMSA to HMA was due to the
fact that the trustees were faced with increasing the employee contributions similar to those that the EUTF has decided to
implement starting in July 2009. These increases were approximately $2,000 annually for the family plan and $818 annually for
the single plan. By changing the benefit design from a 90/10 to an 80/20 and changing claims administrators, the VEBA Trust
was able to keep the employee contribution unchanged.
- Q: The EUTF continues to offer HMSA as an option. How can EUTF continue to offer HMSA if it
had similar plan losses as the VEBA Trust?
A: The EUTF had losses similar to the VEBA Trust but EUTF decided that rather than changing
its plan with HMSA to reduce benefits, it would increase the employee contribution amount to pay for the cost of the HMSA plan.
For an active employee with the EUTF, the rate for the PPO (HMSA) Medical and (NMHC) Drug plan went up by $2,493 annually for
the family plan and $804 annually for the single plan.
- Q: My physician told me that the benefits covered in the HMA plan are inferior to those in
my current plan. Is this true?
A: No. The HSTA VEBA Trust determines the plan benefits and contracts with HMA to process
claims. This is similar to the arrangement that existed with HMSA. HMSA was the claims administrator and HMA is the new claims
administrator.
- Q: Why weren’t we notified of this change earlier?
A: The main reason for the delay was the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. The
VEBA Trust was unsure as to what the employer contribution would be. Also, once it became evident that the employer would not
be increasing its contributions and that the VEBA Trust would have to raise the employee contribution significantly, it took
time to review several options including fully insured plans from HMSA. The trustees recognize the importance of communication
and have set up this website to increase communication with the VEBA Trust members.
- Q: Did the VEBA Trust look at other claims administrators?
A: The consultant reviewed a number of options and with less than 60 days to make a change,
the consultant recommended to the board of trustees to select HMA since HMA was already qualified by the EUTF as a claims
administrator. In addition, HMA is the claims administrator for 5 other trust funds. These trust funds have over 30,000 members.
- Q: Why couldn’t this decision to change from HMSA been deferred until after the teacher’s
contract was settled?
A: With no increase in contributions forthcoming from the state, the teachers on July 1
would have had to pay 100% of any increase cost for their health benefits. For the PPO plan, the increase would have been $2,000
annually for the family plan, and for the single plan that increase would have been $818 annually.
- Q: What hospitals in Hawaii accept HMA subscribers?
A: Currently, all hospitals, other than Kaiser, are participating with HMA
- Q: Do I need a referral to see my specialist doctor?
A: No, this is a free choice of provider program.
- Q: I received only 2 ID cards but have multiple dependents. Can I receive additional
cards?
A: Yes, additional cards are available upon request. Please contact HMA at 954-8796 or
toll free at (866) 826-5335.
- Q: What are HMA’s office hours?
A: HMA’s office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00AM – 5:00PM. After hours, you may
call the Akamai Way at 954-8796 or toll free at 866-826-5335.
- Q: I am currently in the middle of treatments with my physician. Will my doctor need
another authorization from HMA?
A: HMA is working with a list provided by HMSA to coordinate all prior authorizations
that HMSA issued regarding the HSTA VEBA Trust participants. Your doctor should not need another authorization from HMA.
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