By Staff Reports
(HONOLULU)- Hundreds of Hawaii residents got their first glimpse of the new HMSA Center @ Pearl City during a grand opening celebration that began with a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony. The center, located in the Pearl City Gateway Center between Longs Drugs and the Roger Dunn golf store, offers consumers a convenient way to get answers and assistance in a rapidly changing health care environment.
“When we first began planning these new HMSA Centers, we were looking for a central location to accommodate consumers who want to face-to-face help, but don’t want to drive all the way to town to get it,” said Tim Johns, HMSA’s chief consumer officer. “The HMSA Center @ Pearl City will serve residents in Leeward and Central Oahu as well as those who live as far as the North Shore.”
“There’s definitely a need for this kind of service here in Pearl City,” said Johns. “Even before we finished the center, as soon as the sign went up, we had people walking by asking if they could come in to ask a question and others who wanted to pay their bill. We’re excited to be here and look forward to helping individuals, small business owners, anyone who has a question related to health insurance.”
The grand opening celebration featured health screenings, free massages, keiki games and activities, healthy snacks, and tours of the brand new center. The center has self-service kiosks, private meeting rooms, a state-of-the art health screening machine, and a large area to accommodate community health-related events. The center will be open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., to help customers with bills, health screenings, health care reform information, and health plan guidance.
About HMSA
Caring for the people of Hawaii is our promise and our privilege. Working together with employers, partners, and physicians and other health care providers, we promote wellness; develop reliable, affordable health plans; and support members with clear, thoughtful guidance.
HMSA is the most experienced health plan in the state, covering more than half of Hawaii’s population. As a recognized leader, we embrace our responsibility to strengthen the health and well-being of our community.
Headquartered on Oahu with centers statewide to serve our members, HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.