What do you do for health care?

[JerryCarr]

I use Kaiser's Hilo clinic and have generally good things to say about them. The doctors work for Kaiser, so you don't have the problem of finding a doctor once you buy insurance. (I find it somewhat unsettling that HMSA, the local Blue Cross affiliate, sells policies to folks in Hilo when few, if any, of their Hilo doctors are taking new patients.)

Kaiser is as tightly (or more)controlled as most HMO's, but that is the way of the world these days. I like my doctor (Dr. Hu, yes her real name) and on one occasion got to use Dr. Roe, who I also liked. They seem to stress preventive care, which I think is good.

They use a formulary for medications, which means that if your med is not on their list, they won't pay for it. I had to change a routine prescription, but the new one seems to work OK.

One caveat, though. If you have a need for an appointment that falls short of emergency room criteria, but still needs attention right away, you have to be assertive with the triage nurse on the phone to get in quickly.

Overall, I am satisfied, and the cost is considerably less than I was paying in Georgia for similar coverage through a Blue Cross HMO. I would be interested in hearing about other folks' experience with Kaiser.

Cheers,
Jerry

[Fishboy]

This week, West Hawaii Today ran an article on the HMSA office in Kona. Seems the doctors are jumping ship over low wages, etc. What is "HMSA" and are there such places in other cities?

Brian

[Carolann R]

We will have the HMSA insurance starting in January through Tony's employer. I am not real happy about it since I have first-hand experience with taking my Mom to the Pahoa Bay Clinic. Basically the HMO's (clinics) are a 3-ring circus. You get a different doctor everytime and although you may have an appointment it's been our experience that whenever we go to the Pahoa Bay Clinic it has not taken less than 3 to 4 hours for the appointment. Take a lunch.

We also found these doctors are so overwhelmed that they really don't answer any phone calls - ever. They don't even have a representative do it. Dr. Gedieleu (sp?) is new there and I just really don't know how she got her degree. She is inattentive, condescending, and generally has very bad bedside manner. I have actually has this feedback from others who work with her too. But what do you do when you are limited to a certain clinic or clinics...I'm wondering if they are all the same - the Bay Clinics, that is.

Carrie

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." Groucho Marx

http://www.hellophoenix.com/art/dreamhawaii.Cfm

[Kelena]

Thanks, Jerry (and all). Do I understand that Kaiser actually has a clinic in Hilo??? My partner is a nurse and we may be looking for a place for him.

[Kapohocat]

Carolann - Try Keaau Bay Clinic. They are a little better and they can transfer your records from Pahoa.

-Cat

[pslamont]

I als have Dr. Hu at Kaiser. She is great. I have major medical issues and they have taken care of things. With Kaiser if they can not meet your needs here at the Hilo clinic, they pay for your flight and ground transportation to the Honolulu Kasier hospital.

This is a very underserved healthcare community but so far, Kaiser has been easier than HMSA for us.

Aloha, Pam

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[Carolann R]

Thanks Cat, I was wondering about Keaau...it's GOT to be a better situation than Pahoa...same Dr. Brown there, my Mom acutally saw him one time when we were very frustrated after four hours...he was nice enough.

Carrie

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." Groucho Marx

http://www.hellophoenix.com/art/dreamhawaii.Cfm

[Fishboy]

Carolann, Cat, Pam, and everyone else who responded,
Thanks for your information. I spent about an hour this afternoon reading the HMSA 2007 Guide to Services and got a lot of information. HMSA is coverage for daily problems or annual exams, and there are severe limits on chronic conditions like my arthritis and my wifes' bad back. They also don't cover things like acupuncture and massage therapy, two things that give my wife a great deal of relief from back pain. Their 50-Plus program is where we'd fit: wanting to retire early and ineligible for Medicare. Heath care is just going to be a bear.

Warmest thanks,
Brian

[Carey]

Glen, Kaiser Permanente Clinic is at 1292 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo 96720 (808)934-4000 The are just down from Rainbow Falls, & really near Hilo Hospital
Aloha, Carey

[JL]

I realize that doctors are good for some things like doing tests, etc. But when it comes to drugs I get very leary. Here are some sites that might help to addresss some illnesses without taking drugs.

http://www.doctoryourself.com/
http://www.knowledgeofhealth.com/