Despite what some people say, managed care is not terribly different from "traditional" care. At the heart of each is the relationship between doctor and patient.
What managed care is designed to do is strengthen this relationship so that patients are assured the right care, delivered at the right time, at a cost they can afford. At Health Plan Hawaii, this starts with the belief that we each have our own personal health care needs. And to make sure these needs are met, we need to be able to select a qualified physician we feel comfortable with.
As a Health Plan Hawaii member, I was able to select my own personal care physician -- Dr. John Aoki -- from the participating health center of my choice. Because every physician who participates with Health Plan Hawaii goes through a rigorous credentialing process, I knew that Dr. Aoki was in good professional standing. I also felt secure knowing that Health Plan Hawaii provides my doctor with the latest information on recommended "best practices" and gives him valuable feedback on his performance (based on objective quality indicators) for his consideration.
Health Plan Hawaii places great emphasis on continuity of care -- making sure nothing falls between the cracks. My personal care physician is there to ensure that all aspects of my care are addressed. That means providing care, coordinating treatment with specialists or other doctors if necessary, reviewing lab results, maintaining records, and educating me about prevention, maintenance and treatment options.
Physician leadership is an important component of good health care, but for Dr. Aoki to be able to provide the most appropriate care, I have to do my part, too.