People just like you! HMSA's Online Care users reflect all walks of life, in age, gender, and ethnicity. HMSA members and nonmembers, women and men, and even children (with a guardian) have used HMSA's Online Care since its launch in January 2009.

Over the past two years, we have seen patterns emerge among Online Care's most frequent users: 61 percent are female, 59 percent are 27 to 46 years old, and 73 percent of conversations happen with internal medicine or family providers.

Meet a Patient

Meet a Provider

Enrollment and conversation growth

Since its launch, nearly 17,000 consumers and providers representing 37 specialties have enrolled in HMSA's Online Care. Consumers and providers are engaging in live encounters on a wide variety of medical issues. Nearly 30 percent of conversations resulted in a prescription. Conversation volume continues to grow, with internal medicine physicians representing the highest utilization.

How do users rate the service?

• 88 percent of consumers rate their Online Care experience “excellent” or “good.”
• 82 percent of providers rate their Online Care experience “excellent” or “good.”
• 84 percent of consumers rate their Online Care experience as “excellent” or “good.”

When are they using Online Care?

Online Care visits happen 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Online Care use peaks between 8 a.m. and noon.

Consumers throughout Hawaii have embraced Online Care

Since January 2009, consumers from six islands have used Online Care. Those from Oahu represent 74 percent of the total conversations, the Big Island represents 15 percent, Maui represents 6 percent, Kauai represents 4 percent, Lanai and Molokai represent 1 percent together. Importantly, consumers from the six islands are speaking to providers from Oahu, the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai.

What types of issues are discussed?

Patients use Online Care to address a range of issues, from acute needs to questions about their health. Upper respiratory issues and infections are the most common issues raised by patients; complaints of abdominal pain, fever and diarrhea are also common.

Common issues:

• Acute Bronchitis
• Cough
• Acute Sinusitis
• Acute Pharyngitis
• Acute Cystitis

• Urinary Tract Infection
• Abdominal Pain
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Acute Conjunctivitis

• Painful Urination
• Influenza
• Respiratory Infection
• Headache
• Strep Throat