As many obstetric patients face a shortage in services, the remaining providers are trying to fill the gap in care. 

After Maui Lani Physicians and Surgeons announced earlier this year that the clinic will no longer be taking any new pregnancy cases, Malama I Ke Ola Health Center and Kaiser Permanente Maui became the remaining two options on island for full maternity services and deliveries. 

“It’s important to get early and regular prenatal care for a healthy pregnancy,” Kaiser said in a statement on Tuesday. “Prenatal care lowers the risk of babies being born too early and identifies potential complications that may otherwise go unnoticed. Prenatal care also fosters a supportive and trustful relationship with the health care team.”

Malama I Ke Ola, which focuses on the “uninsured and underinsured,” has done what it can to pick up as many of Maui Lani’s privately-insured obstetrics patients as possible, said spokesperson Sarah Goonting earlier this month.

Dr. Stacy Ammerman, an OB-GYN at Maui Lani Physicians and Surgeons, had previously reported that they averaged 30 to 55 pregnancies a month before fading out of full OB care services. 

Although specific capacity and total patient numbers were not disclosed by Malama I Ke Ola, the community health clinic has experienced an increased demand since then, said Goonting. They haven’t had to turn anyone away yet, though. 

“Their closure has left about 40 to 55 privately insured patients per month without access to antenatal (pre-delivery) care and delivery services,” Goonting noted. “Our organization has done what it can to pick up as many of Maui Lani’s privately-insured obstetrics patients as possible without comprising the care of our current panel of patients, which is primarily comprised of uninsured and underinsured patients.”

Despite efforts to expand services to fill the community’s needs, Malama CEO John Vaz had said in a news release on April 13 that due to its current capacity, they “are unable to be the complete solution for the gap in obstetric access caused by the discontinuation of services at this private practice.”

Kaiser Permanente has been working to expand access to coverage for maternity care on Maui to help the estimated 30 to 55 women per month who find themselves without access to prenatal care, the organization said. 

There are seven OBGYN physicians at Kaiser on Maui. All providers live on-island. Kaiser is also in the process of hiring additional providers “to address the need for pregnancy coverage and care on the Valley Isle.”

To provide additional services on Maui, Kaiser Permanente will work with employer groups with 50 or more employees to create an opportunity for their employees to switch insurances. 

The organization said it is also willing to work with any employers who do not currently offer its plans to provide access to Kaiser Permanente care for their employees. 

Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees and people who obtain health plan coverage under individual and family plans are covered under separate regulations. 

“We continue to work with regulators to explore expanded coverage options for this population,” Kaiser said. 

The severe shortage of medical professionals across all specialties continues to be “a big issue” for health care providers, Goonting said. 

“Many hospitals and health systems across the country have permanently or temporarily closed obstetrics services specifically due to staffing challenges,” she added. “This is a huge concern, and solutions are needed to ensure all expectant mothers on Maui receive safe and timely care. The responsibility of creating these solutions lies in large part with health plans that promise services to their beneficiaries.”

The solutions being worked on range from partnerships with Oahu providers coming to Maui, such as Queen’s Medical Center, to possible agreements with Kaiser Permanente to allow non-Kaiser patients to see Kaiser providers, Goonting said.

Malama I Ke Ola, which is a Federally Qualified Health Center that received funds to open 20 years ago, is also considering different ways to further expand obstetric services, but “we are also navigating the physician shortage in Hawaii,” she said.

In the meantime, Goonting added, it’s recommended that individuals contact their specific plans for the most up-to-date solutions. 

* Dakota Grossman can be reached at dgrossman@mauinews.com.