Hawaii Medical Service Association — Local services in Honolulu

My son (born and raised in Hawaii) was referred by member services to Leahi Hospital for Emergency Room Services. Not everyone knows that Leahi is not a real hospital, it's an Old Folks Home! But, how is it that HMSA's member referral services does not know? Member services gave him two referrals. Leahi and another hospital that is an hour ride on TheBUS. My son went to Leahi on TheBUS , only to find that there is not even a regular hospital, much less an ER. So, from there, in pain, suffering, and medical danger, he had to take the bus for another hour to get to the next ER referral, even though there are regular hospitals, with real emergency rooms, much closer to his home. Certainly HMSA would not do it on purpose, but do they just not know what they are doing? Perhaps the referral service has been outsourced to a foreign or mainland location? He told me that 2 of the 3 people he spoke with from the referral service could not pronounce Hawaii's street and hospital names. I wonder if this has happened to...

The only reason this health plan is getting one star from me is because it is required for the review. I am so disappointed in HMSA. They clearly do not practice their own mission statement of caring for the people of Hawaii. I submitted my claim for reimbursement 90 days ago. I had to pay thousands out of pocket for my son to receive lifesaving treatment. The policy is to submit a claim and get a response with reimbursement in 90 days. It now has been 5 months with no response and they just started looking at my claim and told me to wait another 60 days!! Other family members who filed claims with their insurance were reimbursed after 60 days. So why is HMSA dragging their feet?! As a provider in Hawaii, I will not endorse HMSA to any of my patients. Nor will I be renewing my health plan with them next year. So much for caring for...

Every time I call for a billing question, I never get through. Why can't we just email the billing department? I'm supposed to have a $50 copay with my PCP but I'm being charged $100.

Update: I am told to log in to my account and message them on the website. I wrote my question and clicked on the link and I get a swirling circle that never ends just like the wait time on hold. My plan clearly states that my PCP copay is $50 not $100. I am self employed paying a car payment every month and paying half of most doctor visits. Like the time I had skin cancer treated with a can of liquid nitrogen and I paid about $300! I may as well ditch insurance and pay out of pocket for everything. Dear government, this is not "affordable healthcare". Maybe I'll cancel my first colonoscopy as well. I...