Medicaid Estate Recovery in Hawaii: when someone dies

A 4-step process for Hawaii Med-QUEST Division — Department of Human Services after a death in Hawaii.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Administering agency

Hawaii Med-QUEST Division — Department of Human Services

Authority

Haw. Rev. Stat. 346-37

Verified Jul 2026

Steps to take

  1. Determine whether the deceased received Medicaid medical assistance at age 55 or older.
  2. Contact the Med-QUEST Division to confirm whether a recovery claim applies and to request the amount.
  3. Address any confirmed claim as a debt of the estate before distributing assets to heirs.
  4. Ask the Med-QUEST Division about an undue-hardship waiver if recovery would create a hardship for the heirs.

Hawaii Med-QUEST Division — Department of Human Services

Phone: 1-800-316-8005

Visit the agency website →

Frequently asked questions

Under Haw. Rev. Stat. 346-37, the Department of Human Services files a claim against the estate only when the recipient was age 55 or older when the medical assistance was received and there is no surviving spouse and no surviving child who is under 21, blind, or disabled.

Yes. A claim is not pursued while there is a surviving spouse, or a surviving child who is under 21, blind, or disabled.

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Sources

Data sourced from Medicaid Estate Recovery in Hawaii primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.