ACTING Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider says the Commonwealth Health Center will accommodate all patients with Group Health and Life Insurance coverage if they will not be accepted by Pacific Medical Center.
“We will provide the services that are needed, so please come to CHC if you don’t have a place to go. We welcome every patient––we have to take care of every patient anyway,” Hofschneider said.
Dr. Ahmad Al-Alou, PMC medical director, earlier announced that staring May 10, the clinic would no longer honor GHLI insurance coverage, unless the patients pay upfront.
Between 60 percent and 70 percent of PMC’s patients have government insurance coverage.
Art Moore, administrator of Island Medical Center, said they continue to honor GHLI coverage.
He, however, said IMC may not see an increase in the number of patients with government insurance as they are expected to go to CHC.
Moore said GHLI also has unpaid obligations to IMC, and if its members would go to the clinic, the government’s debt could increase.
“That’s just my opinion. We are still waiting for the result of the April 30 meeting called for by (House Health and Welfare Committee Chairman) Benjamin Seman,” Moore added.
Seman, R-Saipan, wants to meet with officials of private clinics, GHLI and Hawaii Pacific Medical Referrals to discuss government payments.
The government-run GHLI also has obligations to CHC as well as to other private clinics.
Hofschneider expressed hope that payments to CHC would be made soon.
“In the past, the government insurance paid off island providers like those in Hawaii and Guam and private providers including PMC, but it never paid us,” he added.
The government insurance owes CHC $24.2 million, which covers the medical services rendered from 1996 to 2001. GHLI, Medicare, Medicaid, private companies and self-paying patients owe CHC $79.2 million.
Venie Folta, general manager of PacifiCare, said the clinic has launched a program that will honor government insurance, but only for the pharmacy.
Folta said PacifiCare will accommodate every patient that needs medical care. She said even those with GHLI coverage will be welcomed, provided they pay upfront or have some payment arrangements.
PMC’ decision to stop honoring GHLI coverage stemmed from the government’s $200,000 unpaid obligations.
