Hoʻōla Cares

A Sliding Fee Discount Program

Affordable Care For Everyone

As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and Native Hawaiian Health Care System, Hoʻōla Lāhui Hawaiʻi provides discounted services for patients who qualify based on family size and income. This is called our Sliding Fee Scale (SFS) Discount Program. No one is denied care because of an inability to pay.

What is the Sliding Fee Scale?

The Sliding Fee Scale helps lower the cost of your visit if you qualify. Discounts are based on:
  • Your total household income
  • Your family size
If you would like to apply, we are required to collect this information from you.

How to Apply

You may apply for the discount program during your visit. Here’s how it works:
  • Provide income and family size information during your first visit.
  • If you don’t have your documents with you, you have 7 calendar days to turn them in.
  • Once approved, your discount will apply to eligible services.
If documents are not provided within 7 days, you will be charged the full price until they are submitted.

Documents You Can Provide (Proof of Income)

Bring one or more of the following:
  • Previous year’s income tax return
  • Pay stubs from the past 2 months (must show gross income)
  • Unemployment or Disability Income verification letter
  • QUEST denial letter showing family income
  • Social Security proof of income letter
  • Other documents may be accepted with approval from administration
If documents are not provided within 7 days, you will be charged the full price until they are submitted.

Insurance, Copays & Other Programs

  • If you have insurance, we must follow your plan rules: copays and deductibles are required and not discounted by the SFS
  • If your insurance doesn’t cover a service we offer, you can apply for a sliding fee discount for that service
  • If your income qualifies you for Med-QUEST (Medicaid), we encourage you to apply because it may provide more benefits at no cost to you. However, it is not required for SFS eligibility. You may stay on the Sliding Fee Scale while your QUEST application is being processed. You are not required to apply for QUEST and may remain on the SFS without applying for other coverage.

Annual Renewal

All patients must reapply every year to remain eligible. If your income or family situation changes before then, please let us know as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be uninsured? No. The program helps patients with financial hardship. If you have insurance, we still must collect copays/deductibles. If your plan doesn’t cover a service, you can apply for a discount for that service. Do you use my assets for eligibility? No. We base eligibility on gross income and family size. Assets are not included. How often do I renew? Every year. Please let us know if your income or family size changes sooner. What if I can’t prove income? Ask for a no income waiver through the CEO’s Office and sign an attestation. Are lab and X‑ray bills separate? We bill you directly. Don’t pay the outside lab—billing for these services goes through HLH at contracted, discounted rates. What if multiple families live at my address? Each family applies separately.