Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Emergency Care Provider in Hawaii
Hawaii Emergency Physicians (HEPA) is a democratic, locally owned group of board-certified and board-eligible emergency physicians dedicated to delivering high-quality emergency care across the Hawaiian Islands. With over 50 years of service, we have expanded from a single hospital to providing coverage at twelve hospitals across four islands, including rural and suburban communities. Our practice spans facilities ranging from Hale Hoola Hamakua, with approximately 1,800 annual visits, to Hilo Medical Center, handling around 52,000 visits annually. We prioritize a balanced work-life model for our physicians, fostering a supportive culture through equal partner ownership and democratic decision-making. Our collaboration with MidPacific Hospitalists, our subsidiary, allows us to offer hospitalist services at seven sites, leveraging a shared physician portal to track critical metrics like call-backs and pathway compliance.This data-driven approach enhances patient care by providing actionable feedback to our physicians. As the largest ER group in Hawaii, we handle one-third of all ER visits in the state, ensuring access to emergency medicine in diverse settings. Our commitment to eliminating external investor influence guarantees that patient care remains our sole priority. By offering a range of practice opportunities, we empower physicians to tailor their roles to their professional and personal goals, combating burnout and fostering long-term satisfaction.
Services
Emergency Medicine
Hospitalist Services
Community Emergency Care
Critical Access ER
Physician Portal Support
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of experience in emergency medicine across Hawaii.
- Our team includes board-certified emergency physicians and advanced practice providers.
- We prioritize democratic decision-making and physician work-life balance.
- Our data-driven approach improves patient care through real-time feedback.
- We handle one-third of all ER visits in Hawaii, ensuring broad accessibility.
Services
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Medicine provides immediate care for acute illnesses and injuries at twelve hospitals across four Hawaiian islands. Our board-certified physicians deliver high-quality treatment in both high- and low-volume settings, ensuring accessibility for rural and suburban communities. This service prioritizes patient outcomes through evidence-based practices and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Hospitalist Services
Hospitalist Services offer inpatient care at seven hospitals, collaborating with emergency physicians to streamline patient transitions. Our team uses a shared portal to monitor metrics like discharge times and pathway compliance, enhancing efficiency and care coordination. This service ensures seamless hospital-based treatment for patients requiring extended stays.
Community Emergency Care
Community Emergency Care addresses medical emergencies in underserved areas, from Hale Hoola Hamakua to Kauai. Physicians customize their practice mix to balance professional and personal goals, reducing burnout. This service emphasizes accessibility and tailored care for residents in critical access hospitals and rural clinics.
Physician Portal Support
Physician Portal Support enables real-time monitoring of call-backs, discharge times, and treatment compliance. This tool provides actionable feedback to improve patient care and operational efficiency. By centralizing data, physicians can focus on refining practices and enhancing outcomes across all served facilities.
Critical Access ER
Critical Access ER serves low-volume, high-need facilities, ensuring emergency care availability in remote Hawaiian communities. Physicians manage diverse cases while maintaining work-life balance through flexible scheduling. This service bridges gaps in healthcare access, prioritizing timely interventions in resource-limited settings.
People
Katherine Heinzen Jim
President
Dr. Katherine Heinzen Jim leads HEPA as President, guiding strategic initiatives to expand emergency care access across Hawaii. With decades of clinical experience, she champions physician autonomy and patient-centered care.
Lisa Jacobson
VP, Medical Affairs
Dr. Lisa Jacobson oversees medical affairs, ensuring clinical excellence and compliance across HEPA's hospitals. Her focus on quality improvement supports physicians in delivering consistent, high-standard emergency care statewide.
Thomas Forney
VP, Quality
Dr. Thomas Forney drives quality assurance initiatives, leveraging data analytics to enhance patient outcomes. His leadership ensures HEPA maintains its reputation as Hawaii's premier emergency physician group.
Craig Thomas
Senior Advisor
Dr. Craig Thomas serves as Senior Advisor, offering expertise in emergency medicine and organizational growth. His insights shape HEPA's long-term vision, balancing clinical innovation with sustainable physician practices.
Questions
How do I pay my emergency care bill?
Pay online via www.doctorpayments.com, by phone at (808) 261-3326 opt 1, or mail payments to HEPA, PO Box 1266, Kailua, HI 96734.
Can I arrange payment plans for my bill?
Contact our billing department at (808) 261-3326 opt 1 during office hours to discuss payment arrangement eligibility.
Why did I receive separate hospital and physician bills?
HEPA physicians are independent of hospitals, resulting in separate charges for facility use and professional services like ER care or lab interpretations.
How can I access my medical records?
Contact the hospital's medical records department directly where you received treatment, as HEPA does not maintain official records.
Can I speak with my ER doctor after discharge?
ER providers aren't available post-visit, but discharge instructions address common concerns. Contact your primary care provider for follow-up questions.
What areas does HEPA serve?
HEPA provides emergency care across Hawaii, including Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, and the Big Island, covering twelve hospitals in rural and urban settings.
Reviews (5)
Kirstie Campbell
Jul 20, 2021
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If I hadn't called about that $1200 bill, and especially since my insurance EOB said you billed about $800, would you have conveniently neglected to mention that $400 "discount"?
James Andrade
Dec 08, 2020
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The doctor didnt provide care at all. More like a copy paste approach to servicing patients. Worst ER doctor I've ever had.
Christine Pagano
Feb 28, 2020
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Dr. Kyle Stevens DID NOT KNOW HOW to remove a painful cyst on my shoulder, he said and I quote, "I'd have to Google it". I was sent away with a referral for some other doctors to go see. HEPA Inc is charging me $726.70 for the "medical expertise" of Dr. Stevens, which amounted to him explaining why he was UNABLE TO PERFORM THE PROCEDURE. The successful cyst removal was performed quickly at a Dermatologist office and cash price paid for procedure was less than $150. WHAT HEPA Inc is doing is NOT PONO, not righteous, and everyone is going to hear about it.
K. G.
Nov 23, 2019
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Ended up in the hospital in January unexpectedly - had to pay all hospital bills upfront or they wouldn't have let me leave. Paid everything and went home. To make matters worse, the doctor gave me false information which complicated my health weeks later. 9 months later, I get a nasty letter saying I owe them money. NINE MONTHS LATER! I paid everything up front. What a joke that this is considered healthcare.
James Martenson
Dec 03, 2018
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While the medical care received was excellent, their customer service was terrible. I spent hours on the phone trying to get the bill submitted to my insurance company. HEPA refused to provide me with information needed by my insurer to process the claim, including basic codes needed for billing, such as NPI numbers. I instead had to spend hours with HEPA and my insurance company trying to track down the information needed to submit the claim.
