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."
'Ohana's philosophy is to place members and their families at the center of the health care continuum. Our model is new to Hawai'i and includes local Hawai'i -based service coordinators to personalize interaction with members. Each member will be matched with an 'Ohana service coordinator who will work directly with the member and multi-disciplined health care team to develop a proactive care treatment plan that meets medical and lifestyle needs. These service coordinators are licensed nurses or experienced professionals such as social workers who are trained in health care management.
"Understanding and embracing the multi-cultural demographics of our members are important elements of our service coordination model," said James Tan, MD, 'Ohana's medical director. "My many years as a practicing physician on Kaua'i and Oahu have taught me that a proactive, holistic approach to health care ultimately creates healthier communities."
'Ohana is recruiting a team of approximately 140 associates into new jobs which will be located throughout Hawai'i to help start the program and provide ongoing support.
'Ohana is creating a network of health care professionals that reinforces its philosophy of providing quality services to it members, and it will look to its providers as valuable partners in serving health care needs. 'Ohana has already received positive feedback from Hawai'i's medical community.
The company is located at Seven Waterfront Plaza at 500 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 400 in Honolulu.
About 'Ohana Health Plan
'Ohana Health Plan is a health plan offered by WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc., a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG). WellCare provides managed care services exclusively for government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, the aged, blind and disabled and prescription drug plans, currently serving more than 2.4 million members nationwide. WellCare currently serves more than 1,600 Medicare members in Hawai'i through its Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans. For more information about WellCare, please visit the Company's website at www.wellcare.com.
