During my appointments they tried to push weird drugs on me, I refused and eventually stopped going there. Most of my appointments are with a nurse or with another Dr. because she was never there!
About Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center
Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Their main campus offers primary care and various specialty services. This includes mental health care, PTSD treatment and homeless veterans care. They even provide LGBTQ+ veteran care aimed at promoting the health, welfare and dignity of these vulnerable members of the veteran community. The service includes hormone therapy, substance use treatment and HIV/STI testing and treatment. These services are provided in safe, welcoming and affirmative environments.
Their mental health care addresses common psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. This is an outpatient program that also helps veterans affected by substance use addiction and co-occurring disorders. These challenges are often an inherent result of stressful or adverse situations associated with military life. Treatment aims to equip you with resources that accelerate recovery from such traumatic and addictive behaviors while leading a healthy life.
The services include consultations, evaluation and group and individual therapy. These help you address personal issues fueling your behavioral changes and develop life skills and coping strategies that promote relapse. You’ll also receive psychiatric/psychological counseling and medication management services if you’re dealing with PTSD or co-occurring conditions. Medication assisted treatment may be accessible for those affected by opioid addiction or alcoholism.
You may be able to access care even if you’re not enrolled in the VA health care. They support same day appointments and walk in express care for emergencies. If eligible, you may get help with transportation to and from your appointment. You can also receive therapy via their secured telehealth support. Accessing care from the comfort of your home enhances flexibility.
This facility also delivers care for homeless veterans or those at risk of homelessness. It doesn’t matter if that’s due to addiction or mental illness, financial hardship and unemployment or even transition from jail. They offer transitional and permanent housing and education and life skills development. They also provide job training and financial aid and facilitate community reentry from jail.
Their services are affordable with flexible payment options. They accept Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE. If you’re uninsured and have financial challenges you can access aid via VA financial hardship assistance. Aftercare services may involve referral to peer support groups like AA or connection to VA community recovery services for ongoing support.
Latest Reviews
This VA has been nothing but amazing care and service all the years I have been coming here. I guess people will complain and not be grateful no matter what is given to them. I have nothing but praise for every aspect of the facility I have used. Big Mahalo to Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center.
Is the V. A Matsunaga open on Saturday or Sunday???? Richard Narde....
In the context of health care and in comparison with Medicare Advantage or UHC private insurance coverage Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center gets a 5 star rating from me. In giving the five star rating I take into consideration that the constraints that the VA operates under are imposed on it by the US Congress and the US Senate. These two governing bodies determine the parameters of the care that the VA can provide.From that standpoint I can say that the care that I get from the VA in general far exceeds the care that I get from Medicare Advantage and is on par with UHC private coverage. Spark is a great place to get care at. Scheduling appointments for primary care and specialists, getting tests and prescriptions filled are all done in a timely manner. The staff is competent , professional and friendly.
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8.3 / 10
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Other Forms of Payment
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Inpatient Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
Outpatient Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
Treatments
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
Drug rehab in Hawaii is for individuals suffering from substance use disorders. Treatment addresses the many issues involved with addiction, typically through a combination of medical and psychotherapy treatments.
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Programs
Adult Program
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
LGBTQ Program
Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.
Military Program
Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Clinical Services
Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.
Sometimes, as part of a Veteran’s treatment, some members of the Veteran’s immediate family or the Veteran’s legal guardian may be included and receive services, such as family therapy, marriage counseling, grief counseling, etc. Family members might learn how to recognize symptoms and support recovery. In some treatment settings, a brief course of couples counseling or family therapy may be offered.
Eye Movement Desensitization And ReprocessingTrauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
Nutrition therapy in Hawaii empowers you to gain control of your nutrition that has been thrown off balance by addiction. You'll discover what foods are best for recovery and how to restore and maintain nutritional balance.
Amenities
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Private Transportation -
Residential Setting -
Private Rooms -
Yoga Studio
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Jaime Areizaga-Soto
COB
Tanya Bradsher
Deputy Secretary
Richard J. Hipolit, JD
DGC
Margaret Kabat
COS
Michael D. Parrish, PhD
CAO & PED
Accreditations
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.
CARF Accreditation: Yes
The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 66
Contact Information
(808) 433-0600 
459 Patterson Road
Honolulu, HI 96819
Get Help Now - 808-762-6426
Who Answers?
Who Answers?
Fact checked and written by:
Chika Uchendu
Edited by:
Kerry Nenn, BSW
