Health Connector sharpens focus in push for enrollees

The Hawaii Health Connector launched a new statewide enrollment drive Monday in preparation for the March 31 deadline to sign up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

The state-based online insurance marketplace has created new advertisements and online tools and will host a number of events to encourage uninsured residents to sign up for coverage through the Connector’s community outreach partners known as Kokua.

The enrollment events are targeted at individuals who are likely to benefit from the Connector, representing a shift from its initial broad-based advertising campaigns, the nonprofit said in a press release.

"We’re taking a more strategic, cost-efficient approach in the way we reach prospective customers," Tom Matsuda, the Connector’s interim executive director, said in a statement. "Providing personalized one-to-one assistance is one of our greatest strengths, and we’re encouraging individuals and families to make appointments directly with Kokua."

The advertisements will include island-specific Web addresses containing contact information for program specialists and community partners. For more information, call 877-628-5076.