LAST CALL! Medical Group and Management Services Organization (MSO) LLC Formation   Several physicians have signed the Letter of Intent (LOI) for formation of a medical group. The deadline for signing the LOI is Friday, November 2, 2018 at 5:00 PM. Participants will be asked to pay a non-refundable fee of $2000 to defray legal and other expenses incurred by the IPA for facilitating the formation process. LOI signers may “opt out” before the group officially forms. Others may sign on later but the initial group will determine the conditions for doing so. Please see attached for the questions and explanations by Dr. Scott Kronlund, Chief Medical Director. If you would like information, please contact Jane at jbontuyan@ehiipa.com (808-797-3113). If you would like to know more about these plans, please contact Dr. Scott Kronlund at skronlund@ehiipa.com or Susan Mochizuki at smochizuki@ehiipa.com.

HMSA Payment Transformation

Quality Measures – EHI IPA and HMSA staff will help you reach your quality performance goals by providing administrative support on a customized basis, first-come, first serve. In order to qualify for Total Cost of Care shared savings, the practices as a collective must reach a minimum threshold of quality dollars. We still have about $180K as a group to qualify. The IPA is providing incentives totaling $1500 for achieving the maximum quality threshold for 9 measures for each line of business. The IPA’s quality team is also reviewing providing these incentives to offices who have reached a high overall score. The IPA is also working with HRA on a breast cancer screening campaign to ensure that mammograms are scheduled before year end. If you are interested in receiving support, please contact Joyce at jvitales@ehiipa.com.

Engagement Surveys – $50 Visa gift cards will be sent to offices who completed an IPA engagement survey at the October Super Huddle. Offices who did not attend the meeting will also have the opportunity to complete the questionnaire and receive a gift card. Please contact Joyce if you have any questions at jvitales@ehiipa.com.

Annual Provider Survey – Please complete and submit this survey online before December 31, 2018. Access the link here. The IPA’s funding depends upon your completion of this survey.

Payment Transformation Guide – October 2018 Edition is now available on the Hawaii Healthcare Information Network (HHIN) website. Log in here.

Ask the EHI Pharmacist!   ENTRESTO (sacubitril/valsartan) is the first Angiotensin receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor (ANRi) with FDA Approval for patients with Heart Failure

  • When to use ENTRESTO?

    • Use ENTRESTO in patient’s with chronic symptomatic heart failure (NYHA Class II and III)  with an  EF <40%

    • ENTRESTO can replace an ACEi or ARB to further reduce both morbidity and mortality.

  • When initiating ENTRESTO, keep the following in mind…

    • ENTRESTO should not be administered concomitantly with ACEi/ARB or within 36 hours of the last dose of an ACEi/ARB.

    • ENTRESTO is contraindicated in patients with a history of angioedema.

Starting dose of ENTRESTO 24/26 mg twice-daily is recommended for patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m²).

Double the dose of ENTRESTO every 2 to 4 weeks to the target maintenance dose of 97/103 mg twice daily, as tolerated by the patient.

PCP Rotations Needed for Resident Applicant   If you would like to do a primary care rotation for a month for resident applicant Ashley Rubin, please email Joyce at jvitales@ehiipa.com. CV attached.

Compassion & Choices Hawaii   A series of free presentations were planned around the Big Island intended to educate residents and health care professionals about the “Our Care, Our Choice” Act, which goes into effect Jan. 1. House Bill 2739 was signed into law by Gov. David Ige earlier this year. Read the story here.

Announcements:

  • FREE Tobacco Cessation Classes – Hui Mālama Ola Na ‘Ōiwi office, November 2, 9, 15, 19, 30, and December 7, 2:00-4:00 PM. Call Judy at (808) 854-0016 or Hui Mālama at (808) 969-9220 to sign up your patients.

  • Meal Survival Tips for the Holidays – Diabetes Support Group – November 6, 4:00-5:00 PM, Learning Center 2nd Floor at Hilo Medical Center. Flyer attached.

  • HMSA Payment Transformation Webinar for PCPs and Staff – Wednesday, November 7, 12:30-2:00 PM. RSVP here by Monday, November 5.

  • Beacon Health – PCP Referral for Behavioral Health Support – Beacon Health offers behavioral health services for HMSA patients. Attached is the referral form (here), the overview of services (here), and the WHO-5 Well-Being index tool (here).

  • Advance Health Care Directive Fill-out at ADRC – New dates attached.

  • UPDATED Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Referral Form – Please use the attached referral form to refer patients to their programs. Also attached is a list of Kupuna Care services.

  • Ola Hou I Ka Hula: Hula & Hypertension – Refer your patients to this culturally-based program for those seeking healing from health problems! Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 PM. Flyer attached.

  • Hilo + Puna Community Medical Center Rat Lungworm Disease Support Group – Nov. 14, Dec. 12, 4:00-6:00 PM at the Kea‘au Community Center. Flyer attached.

  • Project ECHO Geriatric Clinic – Free CME Opportunities from September 2018 to April 2019. Schedule attached here and memo attached here.

  • Hilo Medical Center Diabetes Support Group – “Carbs You Can Count On.” Flyers attached here. Will continue every first Tuesday of the month from 4:00-5:00 PM for the rest of 2018.

  • Aloha Kidney 2019 Classes – Dates available. Flyer attached.

  • Assisted Living in Hawaii – Senior Living. Link to website here.

  • Parkinson’s Disease Sept-Oct 2018 Newsletter. Read here.