Guest guest Posted February 4, 1999 Report Share Posted February 4, 1999 On Thu, 04 Feb 1999 21:31:11 -0000 tb4717@... writes: >Nicki...Work the system-don't take that for an answer-I have been w/ >Kaiser for 20 years, and yes it takes alot of effort (esp when I had a >severally handicapped son for 4 of those years that constantly had >life and death issues for 24 hours a day-and more specialists than I'd >ever want to see again in this life time.) snip thanks for the pep talk debbie... the derm department is a mess..very few doctors and even less appts.....at my first call today..i was told that there were no appts..and i would be put on a list...i called back and felt i had at least made a little victory....i got an appt..but you are right..if you bit*h and moan at someone ....it does help.... i go to pleasanton ( they had no appts)..so i called walnut creek....i wanted to see a specific doctor..and that is a problem too.... i really have been pretty happy with kaiser until the last 6 months....( we have belonged 18 years)...but lately the phone waits are horrible and i don't like having to manipulate and cajole someone to get an appointment nicki ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 1999 Report Share Posted February 4, 1999 Nicki...Work the system-don't take that for an answer-I have been w/ Kaiser for 20 years, and yes it takes alot of effort (esp when I had a severally handicapped son for 4 of those years that constantly had life and death issues for 24 hours a day-and more specialists than I'd ever want to see again in this life time.) Call again-tell WHOEVER answers that you NEED to see someone now or they'll be personally accountable for whatever harm you end up inflicting on yourself or your face if you don't get help now. If he/she still won't get you in soon- like I'd allow 48 hours maybe- then get her/his name (ALWAYS DO THIS (from the start, AND INSIST ON A LAST NAME TOO!) and say you insist on either leaving a message for a (your) doctor or be connected to his/her physician voice mail-if none of the above work-immediately call Membership Services and voice a real loud complaint and say you medically can not wait a month for a REGULAR appt. Folks-this goes for all medical practices-not just Kaiser or HMO's-threats do work-but keep it civil, but MEAN what you say, and follow the paper trail up the ladder to get satisfaction. I knew dozens of parents w/ critically ill children in all kinds of HMO's, groups, independents, and they all had problems, some even lost their children to ignoramouses who wouldn't listen to them or put them off. It isn't just HMO's. Medical care is what you make it. One thing I have always been greatful for w/ Kaiser is there are specialists within the practice, many of them (and they aren't all carbon copy dunces of the " System " I've seen many of them loudly disagree with one another, or insist you see someone else if they didn't approve of a colleague) -and you don't have to wait for 4-6 weeks while a committee reviews your doctors referral as to wether you need a specialist or not, like many other group insurnace plans do. And if they didn't have a specialist w/in the Kaiser group close by-we always got to see independent ones just because our (personal) doctor requested it. Medicine is medicine and the beaurocrats are bad everywhere-you really need to work it and not take no for an answer-you are paying their paychecks-not vice versa. It's hard, believe me I know, to sometimes be assertive and make yourself pushy-I persoally found, and still find, it hard. But when my son was alive, I had no choice but to learn-and fast- for his sake 'bull dog debbie' i became. I don't care if it's life or death-or a itchy, burning face-we pay real good to be taken care of-there are cancellations daily and you can be seen if you make it clear you WILL be seen. Go fight em girl..I'll give free pep talks at the least resistance. Where in the Bay Area? are you-I personally go to ez because, even though not the closest Kaiser to me, it is small and run more like a " sane " clinic than many larger ones-the pace is slower there and most everyone treats you there like a name rather than a number. GOOD LUCK...debbie g. (P.S.whine and snivel to the voice on the phone-they'll probably be happy to turn you over to a doc!) wrote: Original Article: /list/rosacea-support/?start=1103 > I just called my HMO..kaiser..today... > and told the advice nurse i was having a terrible > flare up with my rosacea...my face is a mess.. > and the first appt i could get..is march 5th.... > > i will be glad when we leave the HMO..and get > a different insurance this summer....it is very frustrating not to be > able to be seen before a months time... > > nicki..not always a whine and snivel queen..really! > ___________________________________________________________________ > You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. > Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html > or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 1999 Report Share Posted February 5, 1999 On Fri, 5 Feb 1999 10:27:58 -0800 (PST) Voigt writes: > >After all, we always do our " whining " with panache, style, and a >great >sense of humor!!! We're a neat group, >Regards, >Carol > i agree carol... this is a great way to compare info and products....i am sure it will save us money and aggravation and i especially enjoy reading what other dermatologists recommend... i have so many questions and comments..but i will try not to over-post.....i went to the webpage and saw TOO many messages with my name on them.....i didn't realize how many things i had sent since finding the list.....i've never been in a support group before... and i am embarrassed by how i am looking so obnoxious...and wordy.... i promise to read and be quiet for a while.. i would welcome email ..if anyone has any questions nicki@... nicki ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 1999 Report Share Posted February 5, 1999 On Fri, 5 Feb 1999 16:46:50 EST Lucyre@... writes: >Hi Nicki, > If i were you I would call another derms office and get an >appointment..or >pay out of pocket(I did and it was only 45.00, it was well worth it >for >me)... the one i went to 3 weeks ago was a private doctor..and it was $85.00..i told her i was kaiser(HMO)..but i don't think she gave me a break on the cost.... yea..in my next life..i am marrying a veterinarian-dermatologist combo... nicki ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 1999 Report Share Posted February 5, 1999 Hi Nicki, If i were you I would call another derms office and get an appointment..or pay out of pocket(I did and it was only 45.00, it was well worth it for me)...I told my Derm I wasn't using my Ins and she said ok and only charged me 1/2 what they charge the Ins companies... Donna/Lucy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 1999 Report Share Posted February 5, 1999 Nicki, I personally like your " whining and sniveling " --what other e-site has folks who would really listen to us? Most of them don't have this ongoing--and I swear, incurable--situation so they're " bored " because they don't understand what we go through--many of us, throughout a lifetime! First with " teenage acne " and then in our twenties, develop this stuff???? After all, we always do our " whining " with panache, style, and a great sense of humor!!! We're a neat group, Regards, Carol ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 1999 Report Share Posted February 6, 1999 Nicki, I really enjoy hearing what works/what doesn't for everyone--we're all so different. I feel frustrated sometimes, having spent as much money as I have on all of these various " treatments " and seeing things get worser and worser!! Ugh I think we all have this feeling at times. It's good to " talk " to a group where the issue is taken with interest; as I've encountered a lot of supposed doctors who feel that it's a " trivial " concern because it isn't " life threatening " Ha! I can't count the number of times I've toyed with the thought of suicide--at the very least, how I could get away with one of those paper bags over my head! And...who hasn't heard this " helpful remark " -- " gee, looks like your face caught fire and the fire was stomped out with a spiked track shoe " Yeah, cute, alright.......I'm convinced that kids' cruelty just goes more subtle with years Carol ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 1999 Report Share Posted February 6, 1999 Nicki, I really enjoy hearing what works/what doesn't for everyone--we're all so different. I feel frustrated sometimes, having spent as much money as I have on all of these various " treatments " and seeing things get worser and worser!! Ugh I think we all have this feeling at times. It's good to " talk " to a group where the issue is taken with interest; as I've encountered a lot of supposed doctors who feel that it's a " trivial " concern because it isn't " life threatening " Ha! I can't count the number of times I've toyed with the thought of suicide--at the very least, how I could get away with one of those paper bags over my head! And...who hasn't heard this " helpful remark " -- " gee, looks like your face caught fire and the fire was stomped out with a spiked track shoe " Yeah, cute, alright.......I'm convinced that kids' cruelty just goes more subtle with years Carol ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.