Advances in Internet technology make receiving care easier.

By Myra Williams, Vice President, Health Services Division, HMSA

For many years, I’ve written checks, waited for bank statements to be mailed to me, and balanced my checkbook based on the statements. It’s always seemed like a simple procedure – I never questioned it.

But just recently, and, admittedly, after much hesitation, I enrolled in online banking. Now, I don’t know why I waited so long. With e-banking, I can log on every day, check my account balance, see what checks have come in, and easily manage all of my finances. It’s all instantaneous. It saves a lot of time and worry.

Over the years, it’s become possible to do just about anything more efficiently with the help of technology. Email is becoming my main communication tool, I read breaking news on the Internet, and I can’t imagine actually calling an airline to make reservations. I even have an electronic sweeper that cleans on a schedule.  

So when my doctor diagnosed me with vertigo several months ago, I turned to the Internet for support. There, I found several exercises that have improved my condition immensely. I quickly learned how useful Internet technology can be as a resource for my health concerns. Instead of making a trip to my doctor’s office every time I have a simple question, there are now more convenient options.

That’s what HMSA’s Online Care is all about. This revolutionary new service connects Hawaii residents with HMSA participating physicians via Web-based videoconferencing, secure chat, or telephone. The service is available when you need it without an appointment from the convenience of your home or office. Unlike calling or emailing your doctor and waiting for a response, HMSA’s Online Care visits are live and immediate.

Online visits are not meant to replace in-person doctor visits; they just provide another health care option for talking to doctors about a non-urgent condition or getting advice or answers. And you can send a summary of the online chat to your primary care physician so they stay can up-to-date on your care.

Like many others of my generation, I wasn’t sure initially if I’d feel comfortable using the Internet for receiving health care. Having spent more than 50 years visiting doctors in their offices for all of my medical conditions and concerns, I’ve always been used to interacting with doctors in that way. But given all of the other technological advancements that I’ve grown accustomed to over the years, it seems only natural for health care to move in the same direction. And much to my pleasure. I’ve found that HMSA’s Online Care, similar to e-banking, is efficient and easily accessible.

Now, when I have a question about vertigo, my diet, or the occasional cold or muscle ache, I can just log on and get the answers I need. While it took me awhile to get used to talking to a live video feed of a doctor on my computer screen instead of the actual person, I found that the advice, service and professionalism is the same as a face-to-face visit. It’s just as personalized, secure and comfortable … and much more convenient. Isn’t technology great?

For more information on HMSA’s Online Care or to access the service, visit hmsa.com. It’s that simple.