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."
Through this new program, each 'Ohana member is paired with a service coordinator who helps the member to easily access a variety of health care providers. 'Ohana service coordinators are trained health care professionals who help members evaluate their health care needs, evaluate care options and coordinate care through primary care physicians. They also understand and embrace the multi-cultural demographics of the members to ensure that medical and lifestyle needs are met.
Ohana's provider network currently consists of over 1,200 primary care physicians and specialists who are ready to serve its members. There are also numerous additional providers who have reached agreements with 'Ohana and plan to serve as part of the network. 'Ohana has 21 hospitals in its provider network, including Kapi`olani Women's and Children's Hospital, Queen's Medical Center, Straub Hospital and neighboring island hospitals. The network also includes adult foster homes, nursing facilities and personal assistants.
To facilitate members' transition to the new plan, `Ohana will continue to pay for all medically necessary services covered under the current Medicaid fee-for-service program during the transition period as defined per the QExA contract, even if the providers are not part of its network. 'Ohana will then continue to recruit non-participating providers into its network.
Ohana's 120 employees at its main office in Waipahu and throughout the state are committed to providing quality medical services to a diverse client population, which includes many people with special needs. Their focus is to provide members with the right service, at the right time and in the right place.
Recent additions to the 'Ohana leadership team include the following:
Patricia "Pat" Takamine has joined 'Ohana Health Plan as its chief operating officer. Ms. Takamine brings more than 30 years of experience in health care and government programs, including experience as the CEO of one of the first Medicaid special needs long term care managed care programs in the nation. She has also served as an executive director of a Federally Qualified Health Center and as director of a State Medicaid managed care program. She has family members that have physical disabilities, developmental disabilities and mental health substance abuse issues. In her current position, Ms. Takamine is the market leader who will lead the Hawai'i team and assume overall responsibility for 'Ohana's operational performance.
Wendy Morriarty brings over a decade of hospital administration and managed care experience to her role as 'Ohana Health Plan's market director for the Big Island. As the market director, Ms. Morriarty provides oversight and leadership for Hawai`i Island's local provider network, provider relations team and community outreach program. She is also experienced as the primary caregiver for a disabled family member.
A full overview, with detailed biographies of Ohana's management team, is available on www.OhanaCares.com. Detailed biographies for Pat Takamine and Wendy Morriarty have been attached.
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). 'Ohana Health Plan is one of two health plans awarded a contract to participate in QExA, which will provide primary, acute and long-term care for DHS Medicaid clients in the aged, blind or disabled (ABD) population. 'Ohana Health Plan's philosophy is to place members and their families at the center of the health care continuum. For more information about 'Ohana Health Plan and its services, please visit www.ohanahealthplan.com and www.ohanacares.com.
