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.

HMSA Update   26 providers signed the Payment Transformation global rate contracts effective October 1, 2018. Dr. Lynda Dolan, Dr. Buddy Festerling, Dr. Scott Kronlund and Susan Mochizuki met with HMSA leadership on August 30 in Honolulu to present EHI IPA accomplishments to date and ask for funding support for the IPA and to individual providers via a “rural differential.” HMSA was very positive about the IPA’s work to date and will work with EHI leaders to come up with a financial support package.

HMSA Sharecare Bonus   Congratulations to three of our provider members who were among the Top 25 primary care providers who earned a $5,000 check for completion of the RealAge Assessment Test from Sharecare! The three are: Dr. Craig Shikuma, Dr. Heajung Ruesing, and Dr. Douglas Olsen.

Do You Still Want to Be a Member of the IPA? Membership Past Due Reminders   We are sending final membership dues notices this week via certified and registered mail. We will assume that providers who do not pay their dues by October 1, 2018 are no longer interested in IPA membership. Members have the option to pay $600 for 2018 (July 1-December 31) or pay $100 monthly. Please contact Joyce at jvitales@ehiipa.com if you have not received your invoice.

HMSA COREO Support on RCC Measure   COREO has not been able to report RCC percentages and remove disconfirmed RCC’s from the denominator. COREO informed us that these problems have been fixed and those providers that reported the errors are now showing accurate RCC percentages. Please contact CoreoSupportHI@navvishealthcare.com or call 808-892-3428 if you are still experiencing problems or have questions.

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. RSVPs will be sent soon.

Nominations Open for 2018 Physician of the Year!   Do you know a physician that is doing outstanding work in the community? Nominations are now being accepting for the 2018 Physicians of the Year! Please fill out nomination form (attached) and return it to the Hilo Medical Center Foundation office no later than September 15. Contact the office at 808-932-3636 with any questions or to receive a fillable form.

Hawaii Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (HI-PDMP)   Hawaii Dept. of Public Safety Narcotics Enforcement Division is rolling out their new program for prescription drug monitoring. Attached is the flyer to register, along with new laws for 2018 on prescribing/dispensing controlled substances.

Announcements:

  • 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.

  • Hilo + Puna Community Medical Center Rat Lungworm Disease Support Group – Sept. 12, 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.