Maui Health System puts rate hike on hold

Maui Health System, the new operator of three isle hospitals, is reversing its controversial policy to charge as much as $672 for a private postpartum room for new parents at Maui Memorial Medical Center.

The company, a subsidiary of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, raised the price for a private room to $672 from $152 on July 1 when it assumed control of Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital &Clinic and Lanai Community Hospital. Kaiser’s takeover of the three state-run Maui County hospitals was the largest privatization in state history.

Following backlash from families, the operator put the rate hike on hold for six months and is now saying that it will no longer collect fees for private rooms effective Nov. 1.

“All patients will be given a private room if one is available when admitted,” the company said in a news release.

The hospital has 11 postpartum rooms, which will be “filled one by one, allowing for all private rooms if available when admitted,” said Chastell Ely, spokeswoman for Maui Health System.

“The majority of new moms will not have a shared room during their stay,” she added. “Once we reach 12 moms, out of necessity, some rooms will become semiprivate. However, one adult support individual of the patient’s choice will still have open visitation and be welcome to stay, unless this poses a risk to patient safety.”

Rachell MacDougall’s husband wasn’t able stay overnight after the birth of his first child at the Maui hospital in July due to the increased pricing of a private room. At the time, fathers couldn’t stay in shared rooms.

“Those are crucial first moments of your child’s life. The fact that they’re not able to stay really bothers me,” MacDougall said. “So basically there’s still no private rooms available. If there’s only 11, that’s not enough rooms for a whole island. There’s so many women giving birth every day. It’s so frustrating.”

Since July 1, the company said more than 400 babies were born at Maui Memorial with the average hospital stay at about 40 hours. That means on average about five rooms were occupied at any one time.

Visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, Maui Memorial changed a policy to allow one adult to visit at any time.

“We’ve had an opportunity to review our visitation policy, and we know that for many new moms, it’s important to them to have overnight postpartum support from a family member or friend,” said Dr. David Ulin, chief medical director. “We’re delighted to be able to help our patients feel more comfortable during their stay, but we also ask that families be respectful of others during these quiet hours, as sleep is critical to new moms in recovery, as well as their infants.”

Maui Memorial said it is working to improve the patient experience for mothers, babies and visitors, including room renovations and adding a lounge for visitors.