Operational and Financial Strength

Security

State law, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and other regulatory groups require HMSA to maintain an adequate reserve to help moderate dues increases, strengthen financial viability, and protect our members with sufficient financial resources in the event of sudden or unexpected health and economic challenges.

The HMSA reserve is the result of investment income generated since our founding in 1938. The entire reserve has come from years of prudent investments.

HMSA members can take comfort in knowing that their health plan has adequate resources in times of emergency. As the past few years have shown, Hawaii is vulnerable to natural disasters, including heavy rains, flooding and earthquakes.

As Hawaii is the gateway to the Asia-Pacific region and a popular visitor destination for travelers from around the world, residents could be exposed to new and drug-resistant viruses or illnesses with no effective treatment.

And along with the rest of the nation, Hawaii residents struggled to cope with the effects of the global economic downturn that led to the failure of longtime national and local business institutions, severe tightening of the credit markets, layoffs, and additional financial burdens.