'Ohana Health Plan Delivers the Right Care in the Right Setting for Members
Hawaii Adult Foster Care Program Provides Long-Term Care Alternative
KAPOLEI, Hawaii and TAMPA, Fla., July 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- At 'Ohana Health Plan, a WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) company, getting members the right care, in a setting where their health and wellbeing can be fully supported, sometimes means doing things differently.
The state's adult foster care program provides an alternative to traditional long-term care for members who are unable to care for themselves. The caregiver, who is not related to the member, is reimbursed for providing food, shelter and care in a family environment. This can be a cost-effective option for adults needing long-term care. Currently, nearly 800 'Ohana members are receiving the care and support they need through adult foster care homes.
"We use a coordinated care approach designed to ensure all members receive the unique services and supports they need to achieve and maintain the best health outcomes possible," said Rida Ching, director of service coordination for 'Ohana. "The adult foster care program allows our members with long-term services and supports needs to remain a part of their community and to receive care within a family environment. Members are literally taken into the daily lives of their caregivers."
"It is a setting where the member can feel wanted and cared for in a family situation," said Donna Oshiro, 'Ohana service coordinator. "And at the same time, their families and friends can remain an integral part of their lives."
Adult foster care was the answer for Debra Prebor of Kailua, who was running out of options to provide a safe environment for her loved one. Her mother, Yolanda Flahive, an 'Ohana member, suffers from dementia and began wandering away from her apartment or would become paranoid and call the police saying people were following her. 'Ohana arranged for home visits to help Yolanda prepare her food and clean her apartment, but confused and afraid, she would not let the helpers into her apartment.
"I support the Armed Forces in a civilian and in a reserve capacity and would often have to be away for up to a month at a time," Prebor said. "I would worry because I never wanted to leave my mother, but without close-by extended family, we needed help and we are grateful to have received it."
Oshiro and others on 'Ohana's care management team worked closely with Prebor to ensure that Yolanda's and the caregiver's personalities would result in a successful placement. All foster homes are regularly monitored by care management team to ensure members are stable and receiving the appropriate care.
"I knew right away it was the right place for my mom because I could see that Junie Sales [the adult foster home caregiver] would take care of my mother the way I would," Prebor said. "My mother has done a complete turnaround in this home."
"Our team of compassionate employees work closely to help connect our members to the medical and social services they need," said Sandy Sullivan, vice president of health services at 'Ohana. "Our goal is to deliver better outcomes for our members, their families and the state."
To learn more about how 'Ohana cares for its members, watch Yolanda's story at
https://youtu.be/96ECUy45s9k.
As of March 31, 2016, 'Ohana Health Plan has more than 220 employees in Hawaii and serves approximately 56,500 members through its offices in Kapolei, Honolulu, Hilo and Kahului.
About 'Ohana Health Plan
'Ohana Health Plan is offered by WellCare Health Plans, Inc. WellCare provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind and disabled, as well as prescription drug plans. The company serves approximately 3.7 million members nationwide as of March 31, 2016. 'Ohana has been able to take WellCare's national experience and develop an 'Ohana care model that addresses local members' health care and health coordination needs. As of March 31, 2016 'Ohana serves approximately 48,100 Medicaid members, 8,400 Medicare Advantage members, and 400 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Hawaii. For more information about 'Ohana, please visit the company's website at www.ohanahealthplan.com.
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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
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