The Catalina Island Medical Center is working to get authorization for medical services for Avalon residents whose employers have Torrance Memorial Hospital IPA physician network available through their health plan. The services would include physical therapy, lab tests, CT Scans, radiology and emergency room visits.
The Catalina Island Medical Center is working to get authorization for medical services for Avalon residents whose employers have Torrance Memorial Hospital IPA physician network available through their health plan. The services would include physical therapy, lab tests, CT Scans, radiology and emergency room visits.
THIPA is a division of Torrance Memorial Medical Center. At present several physicians at CIMC are part of the THIPA physician network but hospital services such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, lab and other outpatient services have generally not been approved.
This has made it difficult for Avalon residents to get healthcare services without the time and expense of traveling to the mainland.
A tentative agreement was reached at a meeting in early June between THIPA and CIMC’s representatives to allow the hospital to provide services to local residents with health plans that offer THIPA. Currently, the City of Avalon, Edison, Santa Catalina Island Company and the Conservancy have health plans that offer THIPA as one of their physician network options.
THIPA will expand its healthcare network to include Catalina Island Medical Center effective on or about Sept. 1. “This is great news for Avalon residents and CIMC,” said CEO John Friel.
“Our patients will be able to stay on the Island for needed services ordered by their local physicians avoiding the added stress and expense of travel.
For more information about Catalina Island Medical Center providers and services please call 310-510-0700.
