Across Hawaiʻi, high grocery costs, geographic isolation and economic pressures have made it harder for many households to reliably access nutritious food. Nearly one in three households statewide reported food insecurity during 2024 and 2025, with rates exceeding 40% in some counties.1 Access to nutritious food positively impacts chronic disease management, maternal and behavioral health outcomes and avoidable utilization reduction.2
As food assistance systems faced added strain during the holiday season, state leaders, health plans and community providers recognized the importance of continuity of access to healthy food for Medicaid members. In response, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaiʻi collaborated with the Hawaiʻi Med-QUEST Division and food benefit providers to implement Kau 'Ai Pono: Season of Eating Well, a time-limited nutrition support pilot designed to supplement access to healthy foods.
Promoting person-centered nutrition support
The Kau 'Ai Pono pilot operated from November 17, 2025 through January 18, 2026, providing eligible Medicaid members with short-term nutrition support in the form of food boxes, vouchers or gift cards valued at approximately $50 per week. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the program focused on healthy, culturally and locally familiar foods including fruits, vegetables and proteins, helping members maintain balanced diets while managing chronic and complex health conditions.
Eligibility for the benefit was determined through a structured screening process that assessed both food insecurity and clinical risk factors, including chronic disease, pregnancy, behavioral health conditions and recent high utilization of emergency or inpatient care. To promote accessibility, the program offered flexible authorization pathways. Members could be screened proactively through outreach from UnitedHealthcare or through in-person screening at participating food benefit distribution sites. This dual approach reduced administrative barriers and supported timely access while promoting a simple and effective member experience.
Strengthening collaboration and operational excellence
A defining feature of the Kau 'Ai Pono pilot was the close coordination between UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaiʻi, the Med-QUEST Division and participating food benefit providers. Together, we established standardized workflows, shared tools and clear role definitions to support screening, authorization, food distribution, billing and reporting. UnitedHealthcare led member outreach, eligibility determinations and authorization, while food benefit providers managed food procurement and distribution. Robust documentation and data quality checks ensured compliance, supported timely reimbursement and enabled accurate encounter data for evaluation and oversight.
Throughout implementation, the pilot emphasized clarity, consistency and accountability. Invoicing and encounter processes were designed to align with existing Medicaid requirements, including secure transmission, reconciliation timelines and record retention policies. The Med-QUEST Division provided oversight and technical guidance, allowing collaborators to operate efficiently and responsively within established regulatory frameworks.
Addressing social challenges through managed care
The pilot’s emphasis on person-centered service planning allowed members to identify their nutritional goals and barriers, from increasing fruit and vegetable intake to addressing transportation or food preparation challenges. More broadly, the pilot reflects UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaiʻi’s commitment to advancing positive health outcomes through collaborative, innovative and responsive solutions.
Through shared accountability and streamlined operations, the pilot helped maintain access to healthy food during a period of heightened demand and laid groundwork for future nutrition support strategies. Together, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaiʻi, the Hawai‘i Med-QUEST Division and food benefit providers are demonstrating how local collaboration can strengthen whole-person care and support a healthier Hawai‘i.
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