Med-QUEST: Income Limits, Eligibility and How to Apply
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Med-QUEST is Hawaii's Medicaid program, and it is run by the Hawaii Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division. Hawaii adopted the Affordable Care Act expansion in 2014, so an adult under 65 qualifies on income alone at or below 138% of the poverty guideline: $2,111 a month for one person in 2026. Children are covered through CHIP inside QUEST Integration, and the application is at medical.mybenefits.hawaii.gov or 800-316-8005. Every figure below is dated 2026-09-23.
| Program | Med-QUEST (QUEST Integration) |
|---|---|
| Children | CHIP inside QUEST Integration |
| Agency | Hawaii Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division |
| Apply | medical.mybenefits.hawaii.gov · 800-316-8005 |
| Expansion | Yes, since 2014 |
| Adult income limit, 2026 | $25,337 a year for one person; $52,371 for four |
| Work requirement | federal deadline January 1, 2027 |
| Plans | Members choose among the QUEST Integration health plans. |
Who qualifies in Hawaii
Adults 19 to 64 not on Medicare qualify at or below 138% of poverty (133% plus a 5% disregard), on household modified adjusted gross income, with no asset test. The 2026 figures, using Hawaii's own poverty guideline,:
| Household size | Annual income at 138% | Monthly | 100% of poverty (marketplace floor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $25,337 | $2,111 | $18,360 |
| 2 | $34,348 | $2,862 | $24,890 |
| 3 | $43,360 | $3,613 | $31,420 |
| 4 | $52,371 | $4,364 | $37,950 |
| 5 | $61,382 | $5,115 | $44,480 |
Computed from the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (January 15, 2026).
Children (CHIP inside QUEST Integration), pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities use other limits that Hawaii sets above the federal minimums.
How Hawaii compares
Hawaii expanded on the first day it could, January 1, 2014, with the original group of states. On the work requirement it is not among the early starters (Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska), so members have until January 1, 2027. The program's own name, Med-QUEST, is what appears on cards and letters; "Medicaid" may not appear at all, which confuses people who move here.
How to apply for Med-QUEST
- Apply online at medical.mybenefits.hawaii.gov, or call 800-316-8005. HealthCare.gov also takes Medicaid applications and forwards them to Hawaii. There is no enrollment period; any day works.
- Report this month's income. Choose a plan when asked, or one is assigned.
A Med-QUEST case also qualifies you for a free phone (Hawaii carriers, paperwork) and shares documents with Hawaii SNAP.
What changes in Hawaii
Hawaii has not announced a start date for the federal work requirement, so it takes effect on the federal deadline, January 1, 2027. Six-month renewals for expansion adults begin with renewals scheduled on or after January 1, 2027. The nationwide changes are on the hub with CMS sources.
Hawaii specifics
- Hawaii's own poverty guideline raises every income limit above the figures for the mainland.
- Offices serve Honolulu, Pearl City, Hilo and every county; hospitals and health centers also employ enrollment assisters.
Whether Med-QUEST pays for dental or weight-loss drugs is Hawaii's choice; see does Medicaid cover.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Hawaii for 2026?
$25,337 a year for one adult, $34,348 for two and $52,371 for four (138% of the 2026 poverty guideline for Hawaii); children go higher through CHIP inside QUEST Integration.
Does Hawaii have a Medicaid work requirement?
From January 1, 2027, the federal deadline; Hawaii has not set an earlier date. It applies to expansion adults 19 to 64 at 80 hours a month, with exemptions listed on the hub.
Sources
- Med-QUEST: state program page
- HHS: 2026 poverty guidelines
- HealthCare.gov: Medicaid expansion and you (138%)
- Federal Register: community engagement interim final rule (June 3, 2026)
- CMS: 2025 law section-by-section overview
Gov-Grants.org is an independent guide, not a carrier and not a government agency. We never charge fees, and every fact above links to its source with the date we checked it. Program details change; confirm on the official site before applying.