Hawaii

HMSA members faced with delays, billing issues in seeking new COVID booster

Published

1 year ago

September 22, 2023

HMSA members faced with delays, billing issues in seeking new COVID booster

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – HMSA members seeking the new COVID booster this week were left confused and frustrated after billing issues prevented them from getting the shot for free.

The state’s largest health insurer Thursday afternoon it’s fixed the problem and is now covering the vaccines. But earlier, members say they were being turned away or asked to pay upfront, as much as $200.

HMSA blames the problems on delays in entering new billing codes into its system.

Maui resident Martin Zorn said as soon as the new COVID vaccine was available at the Long’s Drugs in Pukalani, he booked an appointment.

But he never got a shot.

“Long’s told me (HMSA is) not covering it. It’s not in the formulary,” Zorn said.

Booking a COVID-19 vaccine? Some are reporting canceled appointments or insurance issues

“And I said, ‘as long as it’s scheduled, can I come in and pay it out of pocket and then submit it for reimbursement to HMSA?’ And they said, ‘you have to call HMSA.’”

He did that.

“The person I talked to had no idea, it’s like, ‘we’re working on it.’”

Zorn said the delay is frustrating.

“We all knew this was coming,” Zorn said. “What other issues do they have with their computer system? It’s not like it’s a surprise.”

But HMSA said it was surprised at how quickly the shots hit the market.

Prior vaccines were fast-tracked because the federal government foot the bill. This one requires new codes for the commercial market ― and HMSA says it’s a steep learning curve.

“It happened so much quicker than we thought, for better or for worse,” said Dr. Stefanie Park, HMSA vice president and chief medical officer.

“The vaccines were approved last week Monday, and then CMS, the federal government, released the rates on Thursday. It was a really quick turnaround for us to set all of these things and get them into our systems.”

Patients say the insurer dropped the ball.

Zorn says HMSA was still not covering shots at the Long’s near him on Thursday morning.

“My wife has some immune deficiency, and I wanted to get it because I don’t want to take the risk of bringing something home into the house either,” he said.

HMSA members who paid upfront for a COVID vaccine are advised to go back to the pharmacy and request a refund.

Source link

Related Topics:coronavirus covid Featured hawaii

Click to comment

Hawaii

Plane crash under investigation on Hawaii Island

Published

49 minutes ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Plane crash under investigation on Hawaii Island

WAIMEA (HawaiiNewsNow) – Federal investigators are looking into what caused a plane to crash on Hawaii Island Monday.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirms it is looking into what caused a Cessna to go down at Parker Ranch in Waimea shortly before noon.

Investigators said preliminary information indicated the plane experienced a loss of engine power.

A witness said two people walked away from the aircraft on their own. No one was hurt.

Source link

Hawaii

Hawaii Bowl announcers Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker get rare moment in spotlight

Published

8 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Hawaii Bowl announcers Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker get rare moment in spotlight

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring … and the only sports on TV was the Hawaii Bowl on ESPN.

The Christmas Eve game pitting South Florida (6-6) against San Jose State (7-5) didn’t bring the same energy as a major bowl, but when you’re the only live major sporting event on U.S. TV, fans will take notice.

On social media, the matchup generated surprising buzz for a minor bowl game.

People treating the Hawaii bowl tonight like it’s the Super Bowl
— Zlatni Topki (@ZlatniTopki) December 24, 2024

Out in Honolulu, ESPN had play-by-play announcer Tiffany Greene and color analyst Jay Walker on the game, and the pair, who have worked together for years, made the most of their moment in the spotlight.

Greene, who was the first African-American woman to serve as a play-by-play commentator for college football on a major network, had the opportunity to call some big plays, including this kickoff return touchdown by South Florida’s Ta’Ron Keith.

Tiffany Green was VERY amped up about this kick return touchdown and later replay of the big play from USF returner Ta’Ron Keith. pic.twitter.com/FkHDlaYBPK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 25, 2024

And here’s Greene on a big interception early in the game.

USF forces an interception that would later result in points and a 14-0 lead over San Jose State.
Tiffany Greene and Jay Walker on the call of the Hawai’i Bowl on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/eMyo4aHsXn
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 25, 2024

Unfortunately, everything did not go smoothly for Greene and Walker. Of particular concern, Walker’s audio sounded consistently muddy, as if he were doing the broadcast remotely.

Are they actually there? Her co host literally sounds like he’s on a zoom call
— HuskerJim (@jimtheplumber63) December 25, 2024

Others on social media were even less charitable in their comments on the announcers.

This is a horrible announcing crew. This is not a high profile game, but as the only one on Cmas Eve, likely with a decent audience of folks looking for distractions, why this crew & not a better one? Why not put these guys on one of the midday workday games with less eyes/ears?
— Justin Firesheets (@JFiresheets) December 25, 2024

Yet some fans were left wanting to hear more of Greene and Walker in the future.

Tiffany is awesome! She has the spunk of Gus & a little of Beth Mowins when she announces CFB👍
— Herbie Garcia (@herbieg55) December 25, 2024

[ESPN]

Source link

Hawaii

College football's Hawaii Bowl highlights slowest sports day of 2024

Published

19 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

College football's Hawaii Bowl highlights slowest sports day of 2024

Sports fans can breathe easy on Christmas Eve as there will only be one game played on Tuesday before a full buffet of games on Christmas Day.

College football aficionados will be happy to know there is one bowl game on the slate. The Hawaii Bowl between South Florida and San Jose State. The game will start at 8 p.m. ET.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

South Florida Bulls quarterback Israel Carter runs the ball against the Florida Atlantic Owls at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida, Nov. 1, 2024. (Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images)

The Bulls finished 6-6 on the season and earned a second straight bowl game under head coach Alex Golesh. They had the same record last season before entering and winning the Boca Raton Bowl over Syracuse, 45-0.

The Spartans finished the season 7-5 overall in Ken Niumatalolo’s first season at the helm. The team is on a three-bowl-game losing streak. They lost the Hawaii Bowl last season and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 2022. The Spartans also lost the Arizona Bowl in 2020.

San Jose State hasn’t won a bowl game since the 2015 Cure Bowl under Ron Caragher.

San Jose State Spartans head coach Ken Niumatalolo after their win over the Stanford Cardinal at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, California, Nov. 29, 2024. (Eakin Howard-Imagn Images)

TEXAS FOOTBALL MASCOT BEVO BARRED FROM SIDELINES OF UPCOMING CFP GAME, ORGANIZERS SAY

Sports fans looking for some action should take it all in and be able to get some sleep before opening presents and starting Christmas Day at noon ET with NBA games.

The NFL also has games on Christmas Day for the second straight year – a two-game menu featuring the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET and the Houston Texans hosting the Baltimore Ravens at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Browns defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. and linebacker Devin Bush rush Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Dec. 15, 2024. (Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

College football will return on Dec. 26 and the NHL will be back on Dec. 27.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.