'Ohana's Perspective

People who make Hawaii work: Erhardt Preitauer

ErthardtPreitauerHeadShot.jpgPacific Business News (Honolulu)
Friday, July 17, 2009

Erhardt Preitauer is the executive director at Ohana Health Plan, which is offered by WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona.

Preitauer, 36, was born in California and moved to Kauai when he was a year old. He graduated from Kapaa High School and the University of Nevada-Reno with a degree in finance and economics. He received an MBA from Pennsylvania State University.

About my job: I lead a group of talented professionals who are determined to make health care better for over 23,000 of Hawaii's seniors and people with disabilities. Our vision recognizes the importance of family in Hawaii. We are creating a family among our associates, our members and the many different health-care providers with whom we are partnering. This philosophy also extends to the way we serve our members -- as we put members and their families at the center of care.

Community service and activities: Through Ohana Health Plan, one of my key priorities is to support our community and we have been honored to have been involved with a number of great organizations. We recently made a donation to Hilo Medical Center's Rural Family Practice Residency Program, which will help address the physician shortages on the Neighbor Islands. We have sponsored activities at senior housing projects when needs have arisen and we've even helped paint a school in need. Additionally, my team put together a garage sale, where the proceeds will benefit Communities in Schools, which helps underprivileged youth in our communities.

'OHANA HEALTH PLAN LAUNCHES NEW MEDICAID SERVICES

Provider Network in Place and Growing

HONOLULU (February 2, 2009) - On February 1st, 'Ohana Health Plan began serving more than 20,000 Hawai`i residents who qualify for the state's QUEST Expanded Access (QExA) program.  The launch of services presents a new focus on health care for the state's low income seniors and people with disabilities.

We are very excited to bring the 'Ohana care model and its many health benefits to the people of Hawai'i," said Erhardt Preitauer, executive director of 'Ohana Health Plan.   "Our main mission now is to help our members successfully transition to our plan.   Over the next few months, we will visit with every member, acquaint each one with the plan, learn their individual needs and build a custom care plan just for them."

Local knowledge blended with national experience

HONOLULU, HI (September 17 , 2008) --'Ohana Health Plan, one of two health plans selected by the State Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide managed care services through the QUEST Expanded Access (QExA) program, today introduced its senior leadership team.  QExA is a new Medicaid program for seniors, 65 and older, and people of ages with disabilities.

The members of the seven-person leadership team, led by 'Ohana's executive director Erhardt Hsiao-Lin Preitauer and based in Hawai'i, were recruited for their professional skills and knowledge of the special needs of the people of Hawai'i.

HONOLULU, HI (June 16 , 2008) --'Ohana Health Plan, one of two health plans awarded a contract to participate in the Hawai'i QUEST Expanded Access (QExA) program, today announced it will provide managed care services to the Hawai'i Medicaid aged, blind or disabled (ABD) population needing primary, acute and long-term care services. Services are expected to begin November 1, 2008.

"It's an honor and privilege to come home to serve the people of Hawai'i through the state's Medicaid managed care program," said Erhardt Hsiao-Lin Preitauer, executive director of 'Ohana Health Plan and native of Kaua'i. "We appreciate the opportunity we've been given to enhance our members' quality of life, and we recognize the important role we play in their health and well-being."

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Philosophy

Our philosophy is to place members and their families at the center of the health care continuum. Each of our members is matched with an 'Ohana service coordinator who works directly with our members and multi-disciplined health care team.