Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 4, 1 April 1991 — SHIP Health lnsurance affordable, available [ARTICLE]

SHIP Health lnsurance affordable, available

For Yolanda and John Keliihoomalu, SHIP eame through when they were in a pineh. Keliihoomalu had lost his job and his family's insurance coverage. His wife was covered by her employer but her family was not. School physicals were due for all four children. "Trying to pay for four kids' physicals ean be costly," explains Mrs. Keliihoomalu. Because the physicals and children got were so comprehensive, Mrs. Keliihoomaluestimatesthey would have cost $150 eaeh. "When it (SHIP) eame out, I said, 'Wow, I'm applying for this," she says. "This is going to help a lot of people." The State Health Insurance Program has served more than 11,000 Hawai'i residents since the program began in April 1990. These residents have benefited by having access to preventive and basic health care through health insurance. Approximately 23 percent of SHlP's total membership are Hawaiian or part Hawaiian families. Complete information needed Despite the success rate of SHIP's enrollment, there remains a large number of applications across the general population still pending due to missing documents or incomplete information. The State Health Insurance Program urges those people who have already applied to SHIP and who haye not submitted the necessary documents or information, to contact the program. People planning to apply for SHIP during the next application period, April 1-7, are asked to read, complete, sign and submit their applications with all the necessary documents. If you are interested in applying for SHIP you may contact the SHIP office at 548-7786 on Oahu to receive an applieahon. Neighbor island residents may eall toll free at 1-800-468-4644, extension 7786. The State Health Insurance Program office is located at 1000 Bishop Street, Suite 908, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. SHIP applications are also available at most state health department offices throughout the state.