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News Release

April 23, 2007
More than 100,000 videos viewed on HMSA’s interactive TV channel

Laura Lott
(808) 952-7566

The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) today reported its on-demand digital cable channel has reached another major milestone. HMSA members and the community have viewed more than 100,000 free health videos on a variety of topics.

In July 2005, HMSA launched HMSA Now on Oceanic Time Warner’s digital cable, the nation’s first interactive, statewide health channel. HMSA Now was developed as a community service to help people learn more about health in an engaging and easy-to-use format. The two-year pilot program has tested the viability of presenting health and wellness information to health plan members and the community at large on digital cable.

"We make HMSA Now available as a community service, so anyone can access the video medical library and learn to take personal responsibility for their health, which plays a key role in keeping health care costs down," said Cliff Cisco, HMSA senior vice president. "We’re pleased that HMSA Now has been so successful, and look forward to continuing to expand on the information available."

New videos recently added to HMSA Now’s library include:

  • Heart Disease.
  • Videos for teens on determination, movement and motivation.
  • Current listings of community health events statewide.
  • HMSA Fresh Flavors cooking segments from the KHON-2 morning news.

The most popular videos viewed during recent months include Losing Weight, Alzheimer’s, Hawaii Meth Epidemic, Senior Exercising, Healthy Eating, Elderly Abuse, Getting Active, Diabetes and Weight Control, Heart Attack Signs, Healthy Changes, I Can Quit Anytime, and The HealthPass Experience.

HMSA Now offers nearly 300 videos on a wide variety of topics, such as fitness and nutrition, chronic conditions, cancer, and weight management. HMSA members may also view items of interest in the frequently asked questions (FAQ) category, as well as browse the extensive medical video library for information on specific injuries, illnesses and conditions.

"We’re very pleased to partner with HMSA on this successful and popular digital cable channel," said Oceanic President Nate Smith. "I commend HMSA for making this information available to the community, and we look forward to continuing this partnership and supporting their efforts to help people learn more about their health and health care. HMSA’s innovative approach to this evolving technology will continue to benefit their members and the community at large."

Available free to all Oceanic digital cable subscribers in Hawaii, HMSA Now is located on channel 344. Subscribers may watch HMSA videos as often as they want, and are never charged a viewing fee. Plus, HMSA Now is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for added viewer convenience. For more information on HMSA Now, please call Stephen Jonas of HMSA at (808) 948-5254 on Oahu.

HMSA is a nonprofit, mutual benefit association founded in Hawaii in 1938. It is governed by a community board of directors that serves without compensation and includes representatives from health care, business, labor, government, education, clergy, and the community at large. HMSA is a member of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. Nationally, HMSA and 37 other Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans provide worldwide coverage to more than 94 million members.

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