Oahu

Pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapy in Oahu, by video.

TRICARE, HMSA, and HMSA QUEST in-network. Women's and men's pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapy, one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, from home anywhere in Oahu.

  • No state referral requirement; some plans need one
  • Usually seen within a week
  • Video visits anywhere in Oahu
A mother jogging with a stroller along the Oahu coast, Diamond Head behind her

What we treat in Oahu

Three specialties. One physical therapist.

Oahu has most of Hawaii's pelvic health physical therapists, and even so the waitlists run months and the drive across H-1 eats half a day. Video visits mean no traffic, no parking, and no waiting room, and military families at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, and Marine Corps Base Hawaii are seen from home.

Coverage in Hawaii

Insurance and pricing

Bring your plan name to the discovery call and we confirm your physical therapy benefit before the first visit. No surprises.

TRICARE

In-network (TRICARE West). TRICARE Select members can book directly with no referral. TRICARE Prime members need a referral from their primary care manager, and we tell you exactly what to ask for.

HMSA

In-network with HMSA PPO and HMO plans. Some HMSA plans require a referral from your primary care provider; we check yours before the first visit.

HMSA QUEST

In-network with HMSA QUEST (Hawaii Medicaid). We confirm coverage before your first visit.

Private pay

Available for any other plan. HSA and FSA cards accepted.

Referrals

Hawaii allows you to start physical therapy without a physician referral. Your insurance plan may still ask for one (TRICARE Prime and some HMSA plans do), and we check that for you before the first visit.

Military families at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and Tripler are seen by video from home. TRICARE Select members need no referral.

Questions

Questions people ask in Oahu

Where

Anywhere in Oahu

A video visit works the same in Honolulu, Kapolei, Ewa Beach, Pearl City, Aiea, Kaneohe, Kailua, Wahiawa, Mililani, Waianae, and Haleiwa as it does anywhere else in Oahu. No clinic, no drive, no waiting room.

Pages for each area

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.

A woman at her kitchen table on a video visit with her physical therapist
  1. Discovery call

    15 minutes, free, by phone

    A short call to hear what is going on, explain how visits work, and check insurance or pricing. No pressure to book.

  2. Evaluation

    60 minutes, by video

    Dr. Shalem takes a full history, watches how you move and breathe, and guides the self-assessments she needs to build a plan.

  3. Your plan

    Same visit

    You leave the evaluation with a plain-language explanation and a short home program, usually a few minutes a day.

  4. Follow-ups

    45 minutes, every 1 to 2 weeks

    Progress 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

Common questions in Oahu

Do I need a referral for physical therapy in Hawaii?

Hawaii allows you to start physical therapy without a physician referral. Your insurance plan may still ask for one (TRICARE Prime and some HMSA plans do), and we check that for you before the first visit.

What insurance do you take in Hawaii?

TRICARE: In-network (TRICARE West). TRICARE Select members can book directly with no referral. TRICARE Prime members need a referral from their primary care manager, and we tell you exactly what to ask for. HMSA: In-network with HMSA PPO and HMO plans. Some HMSA plans require a referral from your primary care provider; we check yours before the first visit. HMSA QUEST: In-network with HMSA QUEST (Hawaii Medicaid). We confirm coverage before your first visit. Private pay: Available for any other plan. HSA and FSA cards accepted.

Do you see men as well as women?

Yes. Dr. Shalem treats women's pelvic health, men's pelvic health (leaking after prostate surgery, chronic pelvic pain, urgency, and pelvic-floor-related erectile dysfunction), and orthopedic conditions for everyone.

Do I have to live near a city to be seen?

No. Video visits work anywhere in Oahu with an internet connection. Patients in rural areas are a large share of the practice.

What does a visit cost?

With in-network insurance, your plan's physical therapy copay or cost share; we verify it before the first visit. Private-pay rates are quoted on the free discovery call, and a superbill is provided for out-of-network reimbursement.

How soon can I be seen?

Usually within a week. Evening and weekend appointments are available.

Dr. Elana Shalem, DPT

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. Shalem

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