Medicare by region · Kahului, Wailuku, Kihei, Lahaina, Upcountry, Molokai & Lanai
One acute-care hospital for the whole island of Maui, two critical-access hospitals on Molokai and Lanai, a Kaiser clinic network that grew after the fires — and a flight to Oahu for much of the specialty care.
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Medicare in the region
Maui County is three islands with one full hospital. Maui Memorial in Wailuku is the only acute-care hospital on Maui; Kula Hospital serves Upcountry; Molokai General in Kaunakakai and Lanai Community Hospital are small critical-access hospitals whose complex cases go out by air. The University of Hawaii’s 2025 physician workforce report found Maui County with the highest primary-care shortage in the state, made worse when the August 2023 Lahaina fire destroyed clinics that have not all been rebuilt.
So the Medicare question here is about reach. A Medigap policy with Original Medicare covers Maui Memorial, Queen’s in Honolulu and a mainland cancer center alike. HMSA’s neighbor island plans build in travel help when they refer you off-island. Kaiser members on Maui use Kaiser’s Maui Lani, Wailuku and Kihei offices and are referred to Moanalua on Oahu when needed. We put those three paths side by side with your doctors and your travel in front of us.
Local plans to know: Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage’s service area includes the island of Maui but, per its plan documents, not Molokai or Lanai. HMSA’s neighbor island Akamai Advantage plans (Standard and Standard Plus) cover the county and include interisland travel help for approved treatment. Maui Health, which runs Maui Memorial, Kula and Lanai Community hospitals, is affiliated with Kaiser Foundation Hospitals but is open to all patients regardless of plan.
Counties: Maui, Kalawao (Maui County: the island of Maui from Kahului and Wailuku to Kihei, Lahaina, Upcountry and Hana; Molokai; Lanai. Kalawao County is the Kalaupapa peninsula on Molokai, administered by the State Department of Health).
Each contracts differently with each plan; we check your doctors first.
Turning 65? Your Initial Enrollment Period is the 7 months around your birthday. Already on Medicare? The Annual Election Period is Oct 15–Dec 7, and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment runs Jan 1–Mar 31. Moving to another island or losing a plan opens a Special Enrollment Period.
Your options
All-in-one Part C plans, often $0 premium, that use a local network — in Hawaii that usually means choosing between Kaiser, HMSA and a few national carriers, island by island.
How Advantage worksMedigap pairs with Original Medicare and lets you see any provider that accepts Medicare — Queen’s, Straub, Hilo Benioff, or a specialist on the mainland.
How Medigap worksStandalone drug coverage chosen around your medications and pharmacy. 2026 out-of-pocket cap: $2,100.
How Part D worksAdvantage plans built for a chronic condition, for nursing-facility care, or for people with both Medicare and Med-QUEST.
About SNPsQuestions from Maui County
Maui County typically offers Medicare Advantage plans from Kaiser Permanente (island of Maui only), HMSA’s neighbor island plans and some national carriers, every Medigap company licensed in Hawaii, and the full Part D lineup. Molokai and Lanai have a shorter Advantage menu. We compare what is sold at your address.
Original Medicare with a Medigap policy covers any provider that accepts Medicare on any island or the mainland, with no referral and no travel rule. HMSA’s neighbor island Akamai Advantage plans include help with interisland travel when HMSA refers you to a participating specialist on another island; Kaiser refers within its own system. We read the plan’s travel rules with you before you enroll.
Nothing. Independent agents are paid by the carriers when you enroll, so comparing plans and reviewing your coverage each year is free to you.
Ready when you are
A short, friendly conversation — no pressure, no cost.
Written and reviewed by Darin Weidauer — licensed insurance agent (NPN 18580338, HI License #18580338), Gerontologist (USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology), MBA, Registered Social Security Analyst, and 22-year U.S. Air Force veteran.Last reviewed September 13, 2026. Plan availability, benefits and costs change every plan year — verify current details at Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or Hawaii SHIP at 1-888-875-9229.