The Keiki Care Plan, a free health insurance program that the state stopped funding on Oct. 31, will end Dec. 31, but there are alternatives for the 2,000 children enrolled.

HMSA continued paying for the Keiki Care Plan after the state abruptly withdrew its support, but announced yesterday that it cannot afford to do so after Dec. 31.

“;At the present time we are carrying the entire cost of the Keiki Care Plan through the end of the year, but to continue without the state's participation would not be sustainable through 2009,”; HMSA Senior Vice President Cliff Cisco said yesterday. “;We're happy to offer coverage to Keiki Care families in 2009 through the HMSA Children's Plan, and will do so at the 2008 rates.”;

The Keiki Care Plan was created by the Legislature to cover uninsured children in Hawaii, and began on April 1 as a three-year pilot program. HMSA and the state split the cost of the program. Keiki Care cost the state $50,000 a month.

On Oct. 15, Gov. Linda Lingle's administration announced it would end state funding at the end of the month. HMSA stepped in to keep the program going through the end of the year, drawing on money from its reserves, so families would not be left in the lurch.

In a statement yesterday, HMSA said some Keiki Care families might qualify for the state's expanded QUEST program, which provides free health care coverage for children. HMSA will contact families to ensure they submit applications to the Department of Human Services.

For those who do not qualify for QUEST, HMSA is offering subsidized coverage to Keiki Care children through the HMSA Children's Plan, which offers basic health care benefits, including dental services and some prescription drugs. Parents are responsible for the monthly dues of $55 per child. HMSA will use its reserve to cover costs above the dues.

When the state announced it was ending funding for Keiki Care, the Department of Human Services said the program had only limited success in reaching uninsured children. It recommended that children covered by Keiki Care apply for coverage through Medicaid.