After months of negotiations, Kaiser Permanente and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation today announced they have agreed to key terms of a new agreement.
The new four-year contact will cover services for Kaiser Permanente members at all HHSC facilities on the island, including Hilo Medical Center and Kona Community Hospital.
“We are very pleased with this new agreement, which supports our goal of providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to our members,” said Greg, Chairman of Kaiser Foundation Health Plans and Hospitals of Hawaii.・Mr. Christian said in a news release. “HHSC has been a valuable regional partner for many years and we appreciate the important role his HHSC plays in our province in providing acute care and long-term services in neighboring islands. We look forward to a great partnership.”
In late July, HHSC, the state-subsidized public hospital system, announced it had extended contract negotiations with Kaiser until Tuesday. Negotiations were originally scheduled to end on December 31, but have been extended several times.
Kaiser said the parties have reached an agreement on fees and will finalize the remaining details for a mutual benefit agreement over the next 60 days.
HHSC also agreed new contracts with HMSA in July 2022 and with UHA in June.
HHSC’s network of hospitals and clinics provides medical services to residents and visitors across the state, regardless of ability to pay.
HHSC facilities include Hilo Medical Center, Hale Ho’ola Hamakua, Kau Hospital, Kohala Hospital and Kona Community Hospital on the Big Island of Hawaii. Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital and Samuel Mahalona Memorial Hospital on Kauai.
Kaiser Permanente members will continue to have uninterrupted access to care at HHSC facilities.