HMSA ยท Hawaii
HMSA pelvic floor physical therapy in Hawaii, by video.
In-network with HMSA. Women's and men's pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapy, one-on-one with Dr. Elana Shalem, DPT, from home on any island. The HMSA benefit is confirmed before the first visit.
- HMSA PPO and HMO in-network
- HMSA QUEST in-network
- Usually seen within a week
Which HMSA plan?
How each plan gets started.
The plan type is printed on the HMSA card. Bring it to the free 15-minute discovery call and the physical therapy benefit is checked before the first visit.
HMSA PPO plans
Most HMSA PPO members can book physical therapy directly and pay the plan's physical therapy copay or coinsurance. Any yearly visit limit is confirmed during benefit verification.
HMSA HMO plans
HMO members usually need a referral from their primary care provider before physical therapy starts. The most useful wording is "physical therapy, pelvic floor, evaluate and treat" with EMS Therapy named; referrals can be faxed to 844-886-0285.
HMSA QUEST (Hawaii Medicaid)
HMSA QUEST members are covered for medically necessary physical therapy, usually at little or no cost. A referral from the primary care provider may be required. HMSA QUEST, step by step.
Not sure which plan
That is common. The plan name is on the card, and the free discovery call sorts it out before anything is scheduled or billed.
How to start
Three steps, no surprises.
Group NPI 1487545786 · referral fax 844-886-0285 · 808-330-7934.
1. Free 15-minute call
Book online or call 808-330-7934. The call covers what is going on, whether video is a good fit, and which HMSA plan is on the card.
2. Benefits checked first
Copay, visit limits and any referral requirement are confirmed with HMSA before the first visit, so there are no surprises.
3. Visits by video
A 60-minute evaluation, then 45-minute follow-ups, usually every one to two weeks, early mornings, evenings and weekends included.
Why video
No flight to Oahu, no drive across town.
On Hawaii Island, Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai, a pelvic floor physical therapist can mean a flight to Honolulu. With HMSA in-network by video, the same one-on-one care happens at home.
On Oahu, video saves the H-1 traffic, the parking and the childcare. Pregnancy and postpartum recovery, bladder leaks, prolapse, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse and men's pelvic health are all treated this way, along with back, hip, knee and shoulder problems.
Also in-network: TRICARE West · HMSA QUEST.
By town
Every island, every town.
Oahu
- Honolulu
- Aiea and Pearl City
- Waipahu
- Ewa Beach
- Kapolei
- Waianae Coast
- Mililani
- Wahiawa and Schofield
- Kaneohe
- Kailua
- Salt Lake and Moanalua
- Hawaii Kai and East Honolulu
- Waimanalo
- Haleiwa and the North Shore
- Laie, Kahuku and Hauula
- Kakaako and Ala Moana
- Waikiki
- Manoa, Makiki and Nuuanu
- Kahala and Diamond Head
- Kalihi and Kapalama
Hawaii Island
- Hilo and the Hamakua Coast
- Kona and West Hawaii
- Puna
- Waimea and Kohala
- Kau and Ocean View
- Honokaa and the Hamakua Coast
- South Kona
- Waikoloa and the Kohala Coast
- Volcano and Upper Puna
Maui, Molokai and Lanai
- Kahului and Wailuku
- Kihei and Wailea
- Upcountry and North Shore Maui
- West Maui
- Molokai
- Lanai
- Hana and East Maui
- Wailea and Makena
Kauai
Questions
HMSA questions, answered
- Is there a pelvic floor physical therapist in Hawaii who takes HMSA?
- Does HMSA cover pelvic floor physical therapy?
- Do I need a referral for physical therapy with HMSA?
- Does HMSA cover physical therapy by telehealth?
- Does HMSA cover postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy?
- Does HMSA QUEST (Hawaii Medicaid) cover pelvic floor physical therapy?
How it works
How a virtual visit works
Most of pelvic floor physical therapy is education, breathing and pressure management, movement retraining, and a home program. All of it works on camera. During the evaluation, Dr. Shalem guides a self-assessment so she can see how the pelvic floor is coordinating with breath and movement. An internal examination is not possible by video; if a hands-on assessment would change the plan, she says so and helps the patient find local care.
Discovery call
15 minutes, free, by phoneA short call to hear what is going on, explain how visits work, and check insurance or pricing. No pressure to book.
Evaluation
60 minutes, by videoDr. Shalem takes a full history, watches how you move and breathe, and guides the self-assessments she needs to build a plan.
Your plan
Same visitYou leave the evaluation with a plain-language explanation and a short home program, usually a few minutes a day.
Follow-ups
45 minutes, every 1 to 2 weeksProgress checks, program updates, and techniques you can do yourself, for as long as they are useful.
For a video visit you will need
- A phone, tablet, or laptop with a camera
- A private room
- A mat or towel
- About an hour
Questions
HMSA questions in Hawaii
Does HMSA cover pelvic floor physical therapy?
Yes. HMSA plans cover medically necessary physical therapy, including pelvic floor physical therapy. EMS Therapy is in-network with HMSA PPO and HMO plans and HMSA QUEST and sees members anywhere in Hawaii by video.
Do I need a referral with HMSA?
PPO members usually do not. HMO and QUEST members usually need one from the primary care provider. Hawaii law does not require a referral to start physical therapy, but the plan may, and that is checked before the first visit.
Does HMSA cover physical therapy by video?
Yes, when the physical therapist is in-network with HMSA and licensed in Hawaii, and the patient is in Hawaii at the time of the visit.
How much does a visit cost with HMSA?
The plan's physical therapy copay or coinsurance, which varies by plan. It is confirmed during benefit verification before the first visit.
Your physical therapist
Dr. Elana Shalem, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Miami. Licensed in Hawaii.
Dr. Shalem treats pelvic health for women and men, from pregnancy and postpartum recovery to bladder, bowel, and pelvic pain conditions and recovery after prostate or pelvic surgery, and general orthopedic conditions of the back, neck, hips, knees, shoulders, and feet. Visits are one-on-one and unhurried, and she explains what she is seeing in plain language.
More about Dr. ShalemPrefer to write? Send a message.
Questions about insurance, pricing, or whether physical therapy is the right next step? We reply within one business day.
Start with a free 15-minute call.
Tell us what is going on, hear how Dr. Shalem would approach it, and decide from there.