Final Membership Dues Notice   A certified letter will be sent next week to members who have not yet paid their 2018 dues with a final invoice for payment due October 1, 2018. If payment is not received by this date, we will assume that the member is no longer interested in membership. Providers who are not members are not able to participate in HMSA’s Payment Transformation contract. If you have any questions about your payment, please contact Joyce at jvitales@ehiipa.com or 808-797-3113.

EHI IPA Receives SBIRT (Screening Brief Intervention Referral to Treatment) Funding   The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD) of the Hawaii State Department of Health awarded EHI IPA a second round of funding (October 1, 2018-September 30, 2019) in the amount of $182,000 for Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment for primary care patients of EHI provider members. Funding will be distributed based on the number of successful and accurate screens and referrals according to federal guidelines. We are currently working on an IT solution for streamlining patient screens and brief interventions and developing an effective referral and follow up process for referrals to treatment.

EHI IPA Future Plans   All provider members are invited on Wednesday, October 17 at 6:00 PM to hear about the IPA’s future plans for restructuring to provide Management Services Organization (MSO) support to members and give members an opportunity to form a medical group that employs providers. The Board will present details on how to join the medical group and explain how the MSO would benefit the group practice and members at large. Providers (principals) and their business partners invited. Flyer will be sent shortly.

Save the Date – Super Huddle for PCPs – Tuesday, October 16, 12:00-1:15 PM   The next super huddle that was originally scheduled on September 18 will now be held on October 16 at noon at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. Flyers will be sent soon.

Announcements:

  • Proposed Changes for CMS 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule – Dr. Roger Kimura, Medicare Programs Coordinator for PMAG, has written this letter (attached) to POs to inform them about the proposed changes.

  • 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Hilo – Saturday, September 29. Registration at 7:00 AM, Walk at 8:00 AM. Register 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 what their Kupuna Care services provide.

  • Ola Hou I Ka Hula: Hula & Hypertension – Refer your patients to this culturally-based program for those seeking healing from health problems! Monday & Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 PM, starting August 20. Flyer attached.

  • Mountain-Pacific Quality Health WEBINAR: “Making a Meaningful Clinical Interventions in the Community Pharmacy – Thursday, October 4, 8:00 AM HST. Join HERE at time of the meeting.

  • Hilo + Puna Community Medical Center Rat Lungworm Disease Support Group – Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, 4:00-6:00 PM at the Kea‘au Community Center. Flyer attached.

  • Symposium on the Clinical Diagnosis and Management of Neuroangiostrongyliasis (Rat Lungworm Disease) – Wednesday, October 10, 8:00 AM at Hilo Medical Center Nursing Conference Room. Flyer attached.

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

  • NKFH Chronic Disease Self-Management Program – Friday, September 28, 9:00-11:30 AM, EHI IPA office – Refer your patients with ANY chronic disease to this six-week program by calling Mary at 808-829-4115 or 895-2730, or fax patient name(s) to 808-935-4472. Flyer attached.

  • 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.