First-of-its-kind health plan and housing
agency partnership in Hawaii
offers transitional housing and structured support for its most
vulnerable members experiencing homelessness
HILO,
Hawaii, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Ohana
Health Plan, a leading provider of government-sponsored managed
care services in Hawaii and a
Centene Corporation company (NYSE: CNC), in partnership with
Hope Services Hawaii, Hawaii Island's largest nonprofit homeless
services provider, held a grand opening and blessing for a
brand-new residential program for integrated clinical care. The
program addresses a critical gap in housing support for 'Ohana's
highest acuity members experiencing homelessness, who also have
behavioral health needs often combined with medical needs that are
too complex for traditional subsidized housing.
The six-bed, Hilo-based home is
reserved exclusively for 'Ohana Health Plan members and provides
integrated, sustained clinical care and case management for an
average one-year stay. The property is owned by the County of
Hawaii, which has an existing
lease with Hope Services to provide emergency shelter for
individuals experiencing homelessness.
The treatment-based residential program provides:
- Behavioral health (BH) case management
- Licensed BH clinician for therapy and psychosocial
rehabilitation groups
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) for medication
management
- Housing case managers
- Multi-disciplinary team working with health coordination for
comprehensive care
This model of concentrated access to care is expected to
significantly reduce sudden and serious health problems that
require immediate attention, thereby reducing acute emergency
room or inpatient care expenses, and improving overall behavioral
and physical health outcomes.
"At 'Ohana Health Plan, we know that housing is healthcare, and
we are committed to addressing housing through healthcare," said
Scott Sivik, plan president and
chief executive officer of 'Ohana Health Plan. "Our integrated care
hub extends the continuum of care by allowing our most vulnerable
members to recover and receive care in a safe environment. We
couldn't have asked for a better partner in Hope Services Hawaii to
help us further our mission of transforming the health of the
communities we serve, one person at a time."
"Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, and this
partnership with 'Ohana Health Plan is another step toward that
vision," said Brandee Menino, chief
executive officer of Hope Services Hawaii. "We also want to mahalo
the County of Hawaii for their
partnership, which is an invaluable resource for us to be able to
make this happen. This innovative program represents what's
possible when we come together as a community to care for those who
need it most. Together we're giving our most vulnerable neighbors a
safe place to heal, rebuild, and find hope for the future."
About 'Ohana Health Plan
'Ohana Health Plan provides
government-sponsored managed care services to families – from keiki
to kupuna – and individuals with complex medical needs primarily
through QUEST (Medicaid), Medicare Advantage (Wellcare), and
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Wellcare) across the state.
'Ohana Health Plan is a Centene Corporation company, a leading
healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier
lives. For more information, please visit
www.ohanahealthplan.com.
About Hope Services Hawaii
Hope Services Hawaii, Inc.
is a nonprofit affiliate organization of the Roman Catholic Church
in the State of Hawaii. It works
to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring on Hawaii
Island. Hope operates seven shelters with 168 beds across the
island, in addition to outreach, street medicine, behavioral
health, housing, prevention, diversion, case management, and
more.
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SOURCE 'Ohana Health Plan