How Does a New Arrival Get Health Care in Hilo? (Pahoa: for rent, insurance) - Big Island - Hawaii (HI) -The Island of Hawaii - City-Data Forum

smarino · 06-09-2010, 08:16 PM

We moved from Hilo about 5 years ago and are thinking of moving back. The wife has been over there visiting her sons, and from what I can gather the town hasn't changed much (it's Hilo after all) except that the economy is even worse than ever. Probably the same every where you go in these times. I know the property prices and rents have gone down, and a friend told me there are even FOR RENT signs in the windows, something I've never seen, so we may be OK on housing costs. What scares me is health care. I am retired and make too much to qualify for Quest, and any job the wife gets will probably be back w/ the DOE (yikes!), and it will take her a long time to be a permanent hire and get any benefits. So we'll be going to the Bay Clinic if we have no other choice, which is a place I have bad memories of. I called around and it would seem that doctors are not seeing new patients. You have to go on a waiting list just to see a primary care physician, which is worrisome to say the least. Or, as the woman at United Way told me, you have to know somebody. Same old Hawaii.

So, knowing all the downsides to this possible move, I have a big question. What are folks doing for health care over there? I know the state requires employers to provide coverage to their employees, but I also remember that they are really good about hiring someone for 1 hr less than the requirement, and that way they don't have to comply. W/ few primary care physicians, no sliding scale clinics that I know of other than Bay Clinic, and no access to Quest, how does one get health care?

mdand3boys · 06-10-2010, 09:07 PM

Pahoa has a sliding scale clinic, but I don't believe they have an actual doctor; just a physicians assistant? Located in the Pahoa Woodlands Shopping Center.

The Bay Clinic's Pahoa location accepts new clients - I was recently there.

smarino · 06-15-2010, 11:06 AM

Thanks for the help. I think the level of answers to this question answers the bigger question as far as Hilo is concerned. There's only the Bay Clinic or full pay at a doctor (once you get on a waiting list and actually get to see one as a new patient) or one of the 2 urgent care facilities in Hilo. Bit unnerving.

Balad1 · 06-15-2010, 11:16 AM

When I moved to Kauai I had to wait 6 months to see an authorized provider within my insurance network.

mdand3boys · 06-15-2010, 12:37 PM

There are only a few insurance companies that have either to bothered to comply with or meet Hawaii's regulations about health care insurance.
Start here for answers:
Insurance — Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs

.

dwmistral · 06-15-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smarino

We moved from Hilo about 5 years ago and are thinking of moving back. The wife has been over there visiting her sons, and from what I can gather the town hasn't changed much (it's Hilo after all) except that the economy is even worse than ever. Probably the same every where you go in these times. I know the property prices and rents have gone down, and a friend told me there are even FOR RENT signs in the windows, something I've never seen, so we may be OK on housing costs. What scares me is health care. I am retired and make too much to qualify for Quest, and any job the wife gets will probably be back w/ the DOE (yikes!), and it will take her a long time to be a permanent hire and get any benefits. So we'll be going to the Bay Clinic if we have no other choice, which is a place I have bad memories of. I called around and it would seem that doctors are not seeing new patients. You have to go on a waiting list just to see a primary care physician, which is worrisome to say the least. Or, as the woman at United Way told me, you have to know somebody. Same old Hawaii.

So, knowing all the downsides to this possible move, I have a big question. What are folks doing for health care over there? I know the state requires employers to provide coverage to their employees, but I also remember that they are really good about hiring someone for 1 hr less than the requirement, and that way they don't have to comply. W/ few primary care physicians, no sliding scale clinics that I know of other than Bay Clinic, and no access to Quest, how does one get health care?

You do it the old fashioned way - you purchase it. Novel idea - huh!!

Balad1 · 06-15-2010, 02:43 PM

Say what, I gots to earn it?

dwedeking · 06-15-2010, 04:01 PM

How is the care at the Kaiser in Hilo? I don't go to the doctor much but need to get check ups every 6 months for diabetes and then in case of emergency issues (ie I break a leg). I was looking at an insurance policy that seemed financially reasonable for Kaiser provided the service is at least decent.

dwmistral · 06-15-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwedeking

How is the care at the Kaiser in Hilo? I don't go to the doctor much but need to get check ups every 6 months for diabetes and then in case of emergency issues (ie I break a leg). I was looking at an insurance policy that seemed financially reasonable for Kaiser provided the service is at least decent.

You should ask someone who lives in Hilo.....wait a minute... YOU live in Hilo!!!!!

isabella20 · 07-05-2010, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smarino

We moved from Hilo about 5 years ago and are thinking of moving back. The wife has been over there visiting her sons, and from what I can gather the town hasn't changed much (it's Hilo after all) except that the economy is even worse than ever. Probably the same every where you go in these times. I know the property prices and rents have gone down, and a friend told me there are even FOR RENT signs in the windows, something I've never seen, so we may be OK on housing costs. What scares me is health care. I am retired and make too much to qualify for Quest, and any job the wife gets will probably be back w/ the DOE (yikes!), and it will take her a long time to be a permanent hire and get any benefits. So we'll be going to the Bay Clinic if we have no other choice, which is a place I have bad memories of. I called around and it would seem that doctors are not seeing new patients. You have to go on a waiting list just to see a primary care physician, which is worrisome to say the least. Or, as the woman at United Way told me, you have to know somebody. Same old Hawaii.

So, knowing all the downsides to this possible move, I have a big question. What are folks doing for health care over there? I know the state requires employers to provide coverage to their employees, but I also remember that they are really good about hiring someone for 1 hr less than the requirement, and that way they don't have to comply. W/ few primary care physicians, no sliding scale clinics that I know of other than Bay Clinic, and no access to Quest, how does one get health care?

I think that Hawaii Family Health is still taking new patients. The main doctor is Dr. Duehler. He's a good doctor and there are others in his practice including at least one female doc.