Kaiser Permanente Helps Hawaiʻi Organizations Expand Telehealth Access

Kaiser Permanente is helping expand telehealth access in Hawaiʻi with $143,000 in grants to four community-based organizations that support low-income, uninsured, and homeless populations.

Telehealth adoption has increased significantly during the coronavirus pandemic, and health systems are looking to continue the momentum in the future. This includes California-based Kaiser Permanente, whose Virtual Care Innovation Network aims to help underserved communities access healthcare services. 

The four grants will help organizations extend telehealth outreach to communities in the Aloha State who have a hard time accessing care.

“The Virtual Care Innovation Network funding has helped our health centers in Hawaiʻi expand access to virtual care through homeless outreach programs and also street medicine programs,” Robert Hirokawa, DrPH, chief executive officer of the Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association, said in a press release.

“The grant has helped health centers bring care to their patient’s doorstep, thus reducing barriers to access and addressing digital equity for vulnerable patients.”

Community Clinic of Maui, which offers telehealth visits for primary care, pediatric, OB/GYN, and behavioral healthcare services, will receive $57,000. Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center will receive $57,000 as well to help expand virtual care to people affected by HIV, substance abuse, mental illness, and other concerns. 

Kaiser Permanente is also donating $17,000 to West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, which offers comprehensive integrated health services to Hawaiʻi residents. The remaining $12,000 will go to Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Service, which targets social determinants of health.

The Virtual Care Innovation Network funding will help these community-based organizations manage the changes they had to make in order to accommodate rapid telehealth adoption during the pandemic, such as new technology platforms and workflows and assigning staff to assist with telehealth services. 

The funds will also provide opportunities to test different telehealth delivery approaches and learn from experts in the field. The grants will facilitate the organizations’ current virtual care programs and help maintain and sustain these methods going forward. 

“Virtual care has the potential to dramatically enhance access to high-quality care for underserved populations across our state,” John Yang, MD, president and medical director for the Hawaiʻi Permanente Medical Group, said in the press release. We deeply appreciate the work of these safety net organizations to bridge this need in our communities and help achieve health equity for the people of Hawaiʻi.”

Kaiser Permanente has so far donated $2.37 million to 59 community-based organizations to improve access to telehealth for low-income and uninsured individuals. Underserved communities, such as the homeless population, face increased barriers to accessing telehealth. Community-based organizations and local clinics can help reduce some of these barriers.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health recently partnered with the state’s Public Library System to bring digital literacy training and telehealth services to libraries that serve underserved communities. The program will help residents navigate technology and teach them how to use computers to access telehealth services. The program also aims to assist those who do not have access to reliable internet connection by providing cellular hotspot units that individuals can use from their homes.