General Questions
Which medical professionals do you serve?
At this time, we assist physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, nurses, dentists, psychologists, medical residents and medical students. We are working to expand our services to include other medical professionals.
I'm not "impaired." Why should I enter into a Monitoring Agreement with you?
A Monitoring Agreement does not require a healthcare professional to be "impaired," or unable to perform their duties. In fact, our goal is to prevent impairment from occurring in the first place.
In the past, problems with healthcare professionals would not be identified until there were significant negative consequences. Examples include lawsuits, negative patient outcomes, loss of licensure, loss of privileges, or loss of employment.
More recently, the medical community has been more proactive, recognizing the need to help our providers address concerns before they become difficult, or too late, to manage.
I do not have a problem with alcohol or substance abuse. I've heard that Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au is able to address those problems only.
This is a common misperception. In the past, most programs were started with managing substance abuse only. However, most programs, including Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au, have evolved to monitor a broad range of different conditions, including mental/physical health, disruptive behavior, cognition and competency, and ethical/boundary issues.
In addition, evaluation centers used substance abuse models only to develop treatment guidelines, but not tailored to fit other conditions. This also is no longer true, as there are many centers and programs that specialize in specific conditions, such as disruptive behavior.
Will my participation with Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au be confidential?
Absolutely. We are committed to ensure our files are maintained with the highest standards of confidentiality. Communication with any third party is prohibited by law and information is released only with authorization.
Will the Medical Board be notified if I enter into a monitoring contact with Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au?
No, as long as you remain compliant with the Monitoring Agreement.
Will my involvement with Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au be entered into the National Practioner Databank?
No. We are not a regulatory or credentialing body.
What is a Monitoring Contract?
When it appears a healthcare provider could benefit from our services, the potential provider may be offered a Monitoring Agreement.
An Agreement establishes an agreement between Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au and the healthcare provider. It outlines all terms of the monitoring and the duration of the contract.
A Monitoring Agreement is voluntary.
I heard that all Monitoring Agreements last for 5 years. Is this true?
No. The duration of an Agreement is widely variable, made on a case by case basis. These variables include the specific "condition" related to the referral and compliance with the Monitoring Agreement.
Why do you charge fees? Will my insurance cover the costs?
Since we are an independent, non-profit organization, we do not receive federal nor state funding for program expenses. Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au is not a health care provider, so cannot bill any insurance organization for our services. Thus, the monitored provider is responsible for all fees or charges incurred for assessment and monitoring. However, insurance may cover healthcare services in some circumstances, such as outpatient or residential substance abuse treatment.
At this time, we assist physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, nurses, dentists, psychologists, medical residents and medical students. We are working to expand our services to include other medical professionals.
I'm not "impaired." Why should I enter into a Monitoring Agreement with you?
A Monitoring Agreement does not require a healthcare professional to be "impaired," or unable to perform their duties. In fact, our goal is to prevent impairment from occurring in the first place.
In the past, problems with healthcare professionals would not be identified until there were significant negative consequences. Examples include lawsuits, negative patient outcomes, loss of licensure, loss of privileges, or loss of employment.
More recently, the medical community has been more proactive, recognizing the need to help our providers address concerns before they become difficult, or too late, to manage.
I do not have a problem with alcohol or substance abuse. I've heard that Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au is able to address those problems only.
This is a common misperception. In the past, most programs were started with managing substance abuse only. However, most programs, including Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au, have evolved to monitor a broad range of different conditions, including mental/physical health, disruptive behavior, cognition and competency, and ethical/boundary issues.
In addition, evaluation centers used substance abuse models only to develop treatment guidelines, but not tailored to fit other conditions. This also is no longer true, as there are many centers and programs that specialize in specific conditions, such as disruptive behavior.
Will my participation with Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au be confidential?
Absolutely. We are committed to ensure our files are maintained with the highest standards of confidentiality. Communication with any third party is prohibited by law and information is released only with authorization.
Will the Medical Board be notified if I enter into a monitoring contact with Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au?
No, as long as you remain compliant with the Monitoring Agreement.
Will my involvement with Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au be entered into the National Practioner Databank?
No. We are not a regulatory or credentialing body.
What is a Monitoring Contract?
When it appears a healthcare provider could benefit from our services, the potential provider may be offered a Monitoring Agreement.
An Agreement establishes an agreement between Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au and the healthcare provider. It outlines all terms of the monitoring and the duration of the contract.
A Monitoring Agreement is voluntary.
I heard that all Monitoring Agreements last for 5 years. Is this true?
No. The duration of an Agreement is widely variable, made on a case by case basis. These variables include the specific "condition" related to the referral and compliance with the Monitoring Agreement.
Why do you charge fees? Will my insurance cover the costs?
Since we are an independent, non-profit organization, we do not receive federal nor state funding for program expenses. Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au is not a health care provider, so cannot bill any insurance organization for our services. Thus, the monitored provider is responsible for all fees or charges incurred for assessment and monitoring. However, insurance may cover healthcare services in some circumstances, such as outpatient or residential substance abuse treatment.