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HMSA
signs up special
diabetes program
American Healthways will
By Helen Altonn
provide 'customized solutions'
for 26,000 members who
have that disease
Star-BulletinHawaii Medical Service Association members who have diabetes will get special help managing the incurable disease under a program starting July 1, HMSA officials announced today.
The association said it has contracted with American Healthways to provide "customized solutions" and care for 26,000 HMSA members with diabetes.
American Healthways, based in Nashville, Tenn., provides chronic disease management services nationwide to more than 190,000 diabetes patients and about 30,000 physicians.
As part of HMSA's 2-year-old Diabetes Care Connection Program, American Healthways will provide nurses, health educators and other personnel to support patients and assist with treatment plans.
Its office is located in Kapolei and it will have staff on the neighbor islands.
Dr. Richard S. Chung, HMSA vice president and medical director, said the Diabetes Care Connection program has been successful in educating members and physicians about the benefits of diabetes care.
Expanding it with American Healthways' services will result in a better quality of life for patients and long-term cost savings to the health care system, Chung said.
Members enrolled in HMSA's Health Plan Hawaii, 65C Plus, Health Plan Hawaii Classic, Preferred Provider Plan and QUEST may participate.
Wendy Sefo, executive director of the American Diabetes Association, Hawaii Chapter, said the program "is going to dramatically decrease the number of people with complications (such as blindness, kidney disease and lower limb amputations)."
An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 island adults and children have diagnosed diabetes, Sefo said. An additional 20,000 or 30,000 are believed to have undiagnosed diabetes or related illnesses.
She said American Healthways will create a team management approach for patients needing multiple services. "All will be coordinated for them so they no longer have to search out their own resources and make their own contacts."
Dr. David Fitz-Patrick, an endocrinologist also involved in research, said diabetes is a complex chronic disease and it's difficult to keep track of foot, eye, urinalysis and other tests required to monitor patients with a lot of different conditions.
He said he has a computer system to do that for him, but American Healthways could provide such services to help primary care physicians and patients.
Cliff Cisco, HMSA senior vice president, said the expanded diabetes program "will more than pay for itself over the years as it helps reduce health care costs associated with the disease."
Dr. John Houk, an internist who has many patients with diabetes, said increased patient education and involvement in the process is good. "Overall, it's probably good for the Hawaii community for HMSA to do this."
But he is concerned that the program may fragment patient care.
"Now, we've got two groups or caregivers giving advice to the patient. The primary care physician is trying to do his best, given the resources and reimbursements from HMSA which haven't increased significantly in 10 years. Then, another organization duplicates what we're trying to do."
HMSA members or physicians with questions about the program may call American Healthways at this toll-free number: 1-800-499-5036.
