HMSA diabetes program accredited

By Kapono Dowson
Advertiser Staff Writer

When Richard Fujimoto and his wife, Carol, were told they have diabetes, they were in denial. But a diabetes management program that their health insurer put them into helped them come to terms with the disease.

"The program is beautiful," Richard Fujimoto said. Trained clinicians, registered nurses and registered dietitians contact patients to make sure they take their medications, exercise and watch their blood-sugar levels and blood pressure.

The program, Diabetes Care Connection, is offered free to all Hawaii Medical Service Association members. HMSA officials announced yesterday that it has received full accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the first such program in the nation to receive the accreditation.

American Healthways of Nashville, Tenn., has administered the program for HMSA since 2000. It cares for 40,000 patients, about half of the diabetics in Hawai'i. Its healthcare specialists are likened to personal trainers.

"There's nothing as effective as the personal touch they give you," said Robert Marks, a construction equipment dealer who was diagnosed with diabetes two years ago.

"I didn't know the difference between a calorie and a carb," Marks said. "Sometimes I'd call them four or five times a day with questions."

HMSA president and CEO Bob Hiam said, "With patients more aware and involved in the control of their disease, emergency visits can be avoided and hospital care costs go down. For every dollar spent on the program, we have realized a $2 savings. The money saved can be passed on to employers and members."

Reach Kapono Dowson at kdowson@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8103.