Re: KAISER in Oakland -- can you get referred to specialists without a huge fight?

[Guest guest]

Though I know there are several people on

this list who are quite happy with Kaiser, I would not wish Kaiser coverage on

my worst enemy.

If you never have anything seriously wrong

with you, beyond broken bones etc., or have kids (their pediatric department is

great), then sure, go for it. But know that you are taking a

gamble. Should you ever need any SERIOUS help, they will give you the run

around. Not even the patient advocates will be of any help.

If you need to see a specialist, they will

let you go to one ONLY if they are a Kaiser doc, and some of them have wait

lists of nine months!

While I was working on healthcare reform

initiatives, I cannot tell you how many people I spoke with whose family

members were either killed, left to die, or refused specialists until it was

too late.

Oh, and, BTW, they killed my friend’s

cousin. They did the WRONG operation on her, removing a lung and putting

in a pacemaker. She was in her 20’s. She is now dead, and

leaves behind a young daughter.

I cannot warn you away from them strongly

enough. They took a year of my life that I will never get back. And

I know I am not the only one they have done this to.

PLEASE – do NOT opt for them simply

because they are the “cheap” option. You may end up regretting

that decision as much as I did.

Lilly

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010

12:31 PM

Subject: [ ] KAISER in

Oakland -- can

you get referred to specialists without a huge fight?

Hi there,

My medical plan cost is doubling next year so I may switch to Kaiser, and I

would be going to the Oakland

campus at Broadway and MacArthur.

I'm very concerned that I won't be able to see specialists, or that it will be

very difficult to do so. Currently I see an Ear, Nose, and Throat for chronic

sinus problems (had surgery two years ago), and I have also seen a sleep

doctor, a foot doctor, a rheumatologist about fibromyalgia, and neurologist

about migraines, a dermatologist, and of course a gastrointerologist.

So, I'm wondering if people have a GI doctor to recommend at Kaiser Oakland,

and, in general, I'm also wondering if people in Kaiser are able to see

specialists without having to wage a war.

Please let me know ASAP as I have to decide by Wednesday at 5 pm.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry for the terrible experiences your family has experienced.

My 17 years with Kaiser in San Francisco were great. Perhaps Oakland is different. During this time with Kaiser, I had quite a few really serious physical problems, some life-threatening. Each situation was dealt with appropriately, and I was met with kindness. A very rare autoimmune disease requiring was immediately diagnosed and treated. (A friend in another state with this same disorder was diagnosed only just before he died, too late for treatment.) On several occasions, medical staff went far out of their way to help me, even outside their work roles -- and work hours. I do remember one half-hearted GP; I asked for and got a replacement for him.

My daughter and her husband have been with Kaiser SF for several years. Both have substantial physical problems; one of them is disabled. Their doctors, with one exception, have been skilled and extremely involved in their care.

Because of employer carrier changes, I had to leave Kaiser; I was dismayed. I'm now deal with UCSF doctors. The doctors I have there have proved equally good.

I hope you find appropriate treatment and caring, capable doctors. Best wishes.

H.

-----Original Message-----

From: Lillyth Denaghy Keogh-Quillan <lillythdenaghykeogh@...>

< >

Sent: Mon, Nov 22, 2010 1:22 pm

Subject: RE: [ ] KAISER in Oakland -- can you get referred to specialists without a huge fight?

Though I know there are several people on

this list who are quite happy with Kaiser, I would not wish Kaiser coverage on

my worst enemy.

If you never have anything seriously wrong

with you, beyond broken bones etc., or have kids (their pediatric department is

great), then sure, go for it. But know that you are taking a

gamble. Should you ever need any SERIOUS help, they will give you the run

around. Not even the patient advocates will be of any help.

If you need to see a specialist, they will

let you go to one ONLY if they are a Kaiser doc, and some of them have wait

lists of nine months!

While I was working on healthcare reform

initiatives, I cannot tell you how many people I spoke with whose family

members were either killed, left to die, or refused specialists until it was

too late.

Oh, and, BTW, they killed my friend’s

cousin. They did the WRONG operation on her, removing a lung and putting

in a pacemaker. She was in her 20’s. She is now dead, and

leaves behind a young daughter.

I cannot warn you away from them strongly

enough. They took a year of my life that I will never get back. And

I know I am not the only one they have done this to.

PLEASE – do NOT opt for them simply

because they are the “cheap†option. You may end up regretting

that decision as much as I did.

Lilly

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010

12:31 PM

Subject: [ ] KAISER in

Oakland -- can

you get referred to specialists without a huge fight?

Hi there,

My medical plan cost is doubling next year so I may switch to Kaiser, and I

would be going to the Oakland

campus at Broadway and MacArthur.

I'm very concerned that I won't be able to see specialists, or that it will be

very difficult to do so. Currently I see an Ear, Nose, and Throat for chronic

sinus problems (had surgery two years ago), and I have also seen a sleep

doctor, a foot doctor, a rheumatologist about fibromyalgia, and neurologist

about migraines, a dermatologist, and of course a gastrointerologist.

So, I'm wondering if people have a GI doctor to recommend at Kaiser Oakland,

and, in general, I'm also wondering if people in Kaiser are able to see

specialists without having to wage a war.

Please let me know ASAP as I have to decide by Wednesday at 5 pm.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

[Guest guest]

I have never had a problem getting appointments with specialists. In the last three years we have seen a pediatric neurosurgeon, gastrointologist, dermatologist, nutritionist. I have been a member since 1994 and had a great experience. Sent from my iPhoneOn Nov 22, 2010, at 12:31 PM, "" <redchickn@...> wrote:

Hi there,

My medical plan cost is doubling next year so I may switch to Kaiser, and I would be going to the Oakland campus at Broadway and MacArthur.

I'm very concerned that I won't be able to see specialists, or that it will be very difficult to do so. Currently I see an Ear, Nose, and Throat for chronic sinus problems (had surgery two years ago), and I have also seen a sleep doctor, a foot doctor, a rheumatologist about fibromyalgia, and neurologist about migraines, a dermatologist, and of course a gastrointerologist.

So, I'm wondering if people have a GI doctor to recommend at Kaiser Oakland, and, in general, I'm also wondering if people in Kaiser are able to see specialists without having to wage a war.

Please let me know ASAP as I have to decide by Wednesday at 5 pm.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

[Guest guest]

I mean, of course, to write "all the terrible things your family has experienced.

I wish you well.

H.

-----Original Message-----

From: Harper <flatcat9@...>

< >

Sent: Mon, Nov 22, 2010 4:13 pm

Subject: Re: [ ] KAISER in Oakland -- can you get referred to specialists without a huge fight?

I'm sorry for the terrible experiences your family has experienced.

My 17 years with Kaiser in San Francisco were great. Perhaps Oakland is different. During this time with Kaiser, I had quite a few really serious physical problems, some life-threatening. Each situation was dealt with appropriately, and I was met with kindness. A very rare autoimmune disease requiring was immediately diagnosed and treated. (A friend in another state with this same disorder was diagnosed only just before he died, too late for treatment.) On several occasions, medical staff went far out of their way to help me, even outside their work roles -- and work hours. I do remember one half-hearted GP; I asked for and got a replacement for him.

My daughter and her husband have been with Kaiser SF for several years. Both have substantial physical problems; one of them is disabled. Their doctors, with one exception, have been skilled and extremely involved in their care.

Because of employer carrier changes, I had to leave Kaiser; I was dismayed. I'm now deal with UCSF doctors. The doctors I have there have proved equally good.

I hope you find appropriate treatment and caring, capable doctors. Best wishes.

H.

-----Original Message-----

From: Lillyth Denaghy Keogh-Quillan <lillythdenaghykeogh@...>

< >

Sent: Mon, Nov 22, 2010 1:22 pm

Subject: RE: [ ] KAISER in Oakland -- can you get referred to specialists without a huge fight?

Though I know there are several people on

this list who are quite happy with Kaiser, I would not wish Kaiser coverage on

my worst enemy.

If you never have anything seriously wrong

with you, beyond broken bones etc., or have kids (their pediatric department is

great), then sure, go for it. But know that you are taking a

gamble. Should you ever need any SERIOUS help, they will give you the run

around. Not even the patient advocates will be of any help.

If you need to see a specialist, they will

let you go to one ONLY if they are a Kaiser doc, and some of them have wait

lists of nine months!

While I was working on healthcare reform

initiatives, I cannot tell you how many people I spoke with whose family

members were either killed, left to die, or refused specialists until it was

too late.

Oh, and, BTW, they killed my friend’s

cousin. They did the WRONG operation on her, removing a lung and putting

in a pacemaker. She was in her 20’s. She is now dead, and

leaves behind a young daughter.

I cannot warn you away from them strongly

enough. They took a year of my life that I will never get back. And

I know I am not the only one they have done this to.

PLEASE – do NOT opt for them simply

because they are the “cheap†option. You may end up regretting

that decision as much as I did.

Lilly

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010

12:31 PM

Subject: [ ] KAISER in

Oakland -- can

you get referred to specialists without a huge fight?

Hi there,

My medical plan cost is doubling next year so I may switch to Kaiser, and I

would be going to the Oakland

campus at Broadway and MacArthur.

I'm very concerned that I won't be able to see specialists, or that it will be

very difficult to do so. Currently I see an Ear, Nose, and Throat for chronic

sinus problems (had surgery two years ago), and I have also seen a sleep

doctor, a foot doctor, a rheumatologist about fibromyalgia, and neurologist

about migraines, a dermatologist, and of course a gastrointerologist.

So, I'm wondering if people have a GI doctor to recommend at Kaiser Oakland,

and, in general, I'm also wondering if people in Kaiser are able to see

specialists without having to wage a war.

Please let me know ASAP as I have to decide by Wednesday at 5 pm.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!