EHI IPA Physician Liaison for Patients Admitted to Hilo Medical Center   Misae Wela, RN, Transitions Coordinator, is now at Hilo Medical Center on a daily basis to serve as a liaison for EHI IPA primary care providers. Misae will initially focus on patients who are attributed to CPC+ Primary Care Providers who are also participants in HMSA’s Payment Transformation program. Misae will be reviewing the HMC census daily (including following weekend admissions on Monday), ensuring that you receive census notification, review patients’ charts and plan of care, provide timely updates and notify you of patients’ discharge plan. Misae can also contact the patient post-discharge to ensure their needs have been met and post discharge appointments are completed. If you have a particular preference regarding how you would like Misae to communicate with you (phone- including contact, FAX, email),  please let her know at mwela@ehiipa.com; 808-936-8720.

HMSA PO Collaborative Summary   On September 28, HMSA held a meeting of key representatives from Physician Organizations around the state. EHI was represented by Dr. Kevin Kurohara, Dr. Lynda Dolan, and Susan Mochizuki. Attached is a summary of the minutes. Please also find attached a note that will be sent by HMSA regarding changes to HMSA’s primary care quality programs, including PO & PCP Payment Transformation measures. PLEASE REVIEW INFORMATION DESCRIBING HMSA PAYMENT TRANSFORMATION 2018 CHANGES.

EClinical Works User Networking Lunch   The IPA will host an informal eClinical Works User Networking Lunch on Wednesday, October 11 at Noon at the IPA office. There is no particular agenda but it is the opportunity for current users to share tips and ideas with each other. This will be the start of ongoing user group meetings. RSVP attached.

KTA Pharmacy Diabetes Self-Management Education Kick-Off   Learn about the KTA Diabetes Self-Management Program with KTA Pharmacist Dayna Wong-Otis on Wednesday, October 11, from 4:00-4:30 PM at the EHI IPA office. This session is free for all, please refer your patients! Flyer attached.

Diabetes Management – ECO System Healthcare Referral   KTA Pharmacy was recently credentialed to provide ongoing diabetes education workshops for patients. One-on-one sessions will be scheduled the week of October 16 and the classes will begin the following Mondays and Thursdays at the EHI IPA office. Flyer attached. If you have patients who are interested, please fill out the *NEW* referral form and send to Jane at jbontuyan@ehiipa.com or fax to 808-935-4472.

Need NEW Office Photos for IPA Brochure   We are updating our membership brochure and need new photos! Please send new staff & provider photos to Joyce at jvitales@ehiipa.com. Someone from the IPA will also be available after 9:30 AM to take staff photos on Oct. 9, 10, 16, 17, 18 (after 1p), 19, and 20. Please email Joyce dates and times your office is available for pictures.

Updates to PCPs Accepting New Patients Brochure   We are updating our list of PCPs Accepting New Patients for EUTF’s (Employee Union Health Benefits Trust Fund) session on Wednesday, October 25, at the Grand Naniloa Hotel. Please review the attached copy of our brochure and send any updates including insurance acceptance information to Joyce Vitales at jvitales@ehiipa.com. If you do not send updates, we will assume nothing has changed.

East Hawaii IPA Member Retreat   This is a critical meeting to discuss the future of the IPA. Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 from 3:00-7:00 PM. Please RSVP your attendance to Jane at jbontuyan@ehiipa.com. RSVP attached.

EHI IPA-Hilo Medical Center Mixer   The IPA is hosting this event on Tuesday, November 7, from 5:30-7:30 PM featuring guest facilitator Dr. Barbara Spivak, President & CEO of Mount Auburn Cambridge IPA, to discuss improving Physician to Physician Communication between EHI & HMC. RSVP attached. Please send RSVP to jbontuyan@ehiipa.com.

New Employee   EHI IPA welcomes Jermaine Vitales, IT Assistant! Jermaine is a computer science grad from University of Hawai‘i at Hilo who will be assisting practices along with Michael Kurohara, IT Specialist, and Kahea Wakinekona with eClinical Works training and implementation.

Announcements

  • HMSA Webinar: “Annual HMSA Akamai Advantage Training” – Wednesday, October 11, 12:30 – 2:00 PM (in-person or webinar). Flyer attached. Please RSVP by October 6.

  • IPA Pediatrician Meeting – Thursday, October 12, Noon – This session will focus on health plan service coordination.  Leolinda Parlin, director of Hilopa‘a will be guest facilitator. RSVP attached.

  • “Death Café,” Friday, October 13, 7:00 PM – discussion about death and related matters at Sweet Cane Café, 48 Kamana St., Hilo. Flyer attached.

  • Hospice of Hilo Calendar of Events (Oct – Dec) attached.