Health care BI (Hilo: insurance, rich, office)

[steiconi]

A long-time friend, neighbor, and physician on the Big Island is trying to improve health care in Hawaii. I know her personally and can attest to her honesty and dedication. Her current office is near the Hilo library, and she's building a new clinic on Ponahawai.

Here's her story:

Dear friends - please help me spread the word. The insurance companies (mostly one) are running doctors out of Hawaii, especially the outer islands. It has always been a bit rough, but it's gotten very bad over the last 2 years. For me in particular, the insurance company has targeted my practice because I've spoken out against some of the poor payment practices, both locally and nationally.
I'd like help making some information known about the physician shortage, physician payments and the healthcare crisis here in Hilo and Hawaii because I can't keep standing alone. Please take a moment to read my post, share it and if you can contribute in any way, I offer my thanks now. If anyone has a rich uncle who is willing to make donations to our GoFundMe, please share this with him or if you feel so moved, any donation will help.
Family Health Blog
https://www.gofundme.com/hilo-clinic-in-crisis

Mahalos,
Michelle

Read her blog and the gofundme page for more information, then share it with others.

[steiconi]

Even if you can't donate, it would help if you can get the word out to others. Post on Facebook, forums, tell your friends...

[bolus]

The insurance company is HSMA most likely. It pays less than what medicaid pays in some of the states in the mainland. They changed reimbursement the last few years pitting primary care doctors against each other to get as many patients as possible making all the docs compete each other. They compete to take the least cut in pay.

we just lost one primary care doc over this a few months back in an area that does not have nearly enough doctors.

I guess HMSA believes if there are no doctors then they will not have to pay anyone.