How to navigate Kaiser Permanente So Calif

Optimistic15

hi all I just received my diagnosis, DCIS low to intermediate grade. I had stereotactic biopsy last week for single calcification cluster. I have an appt next week to discuss treatment options so I don’t have specifics on size or type. I have Kaiser Permanente and have never had a serious health issue so I haven’t had to navigate the process for specialists and second opinions, if necessary. I am looking for any advice on how to be proactive with my treatment within the KP system. I’m only seeking proactive comments. Thank you all so much.

Krose53

I was diagnosed with BC 2 yrs ago. I also have Kaiser but Northern California. It went very smoothly. They connected me right away with a breast surgeon and the oncologist and then plastic surgeons. It was very quickly done. I asked the breast surgeon who she would recommend for an oncologist. I did that with every specialist and they were very forthcoming. I brought a list of questions to each and every appointment and they were always answered completely. I think it helps to bring someone with you to appointments. It is always good to have another set of ears. Good luck to you on the journey no one really wants to be on.

exbrnxgrl

I’m a Northern CA Kaiserpatient as well. The great thing about Kaiser is that there isn’t much navigation needed. Any provider you see who recommends doctors, tests or procedures will set you up for those things through their highly integrated system. If you are assigned to any provider that you don’t care for, it is easy to switch. While I was undergoing rads for my bone met, I mentioned to my ro that I was not totally comfortable with my mo. Right then and there he recommended someone else and even made the appointment for me! Everything is very seamless. Although it is impossible to attribute my exceptional survival to any single factor, I certainly won’t discount the care that Kaiser has provided as a big part of it. Wishing you the best!

exbrnxgrl

optimistic,

I just noticed that you asked about second opinions. Those can be easily arranged within the Kaiser system, but if you choose to go outside Kaiser, it will be self pay. I have been seen twice at Stanford for second opinions at my own expense, though family members did help out with the cost. My Kaiser mo and my second opinion mo communicated quite well. In the end, they agreed on all aspects of my dx and to plan. I would not have gone outside of Kaiser, but my family insisted on it (long story involving my late sister who was a Kaiser employee). Although it was good to have an opinion from someone outside the Kaiser system, it changed nothing and was more expensive than this public school teacher could have afforded on her own

BlueDrifter

They navigate for you! I am/was with KP SoCal. Mammogram call-back resulted in a biopsy same day, an appt with surgeon next day. I was feeling quite rushed, and surgeon was, well, surgeon-like, and didn't tell me the lay of the land. Then I found they have a Nurse Navigator. She is wonderful. She spent a couple hours with me. From lump to rad onc to med onc was soooo smooth.

I turned 65 before I had any follow-ups and opted to switch out of KP only because you just get ONE CHANCE to do so without having to worry about pre-existing. So I found a med onc, have a mammogram scheduled, did bloodwork. Only it didn't go that smooth, a lot of back and forth between med onc and rad center as to what type of mammogram, and then the appt is two weeks out.

So, I would score KP SoCal as much more organized than going to individual docs and being the "glue" to hold it all together. I will give this a try for a year and see how I like it. I can switch back to KP at any time, don't have to wait for open enrollment.

idkwhatsnext

Kaiser Sunset just scheduled a phone appointment for me with breast surgeon, Dr Lin. Would you be willing to share which surgeon you had and if you have heard anything about Dr. Lin or if you know of another surgeon that you could recommend?

Thank you.