Moving to Kaiser - Request Feedback

DM13 -

I have been a Kaiser member since I was 21 years old - more than 40 years ago! I started in the Bay Area, under my Dad's plan, continued it when I moved to San Diego as a young adult, and finally, when it became available here in Central Calfornia, signed up as soon as I could.

In the early days, there were many complaints about substandard treatment at Kaiser; horror stories of being "lost in the system"; and the frustration of having to see a different doctor each time you went in for something.

Those were the not so good old days.

Let me tell you my experience now.

For most of my medical care, I go to a fairly new clinic ten minutes from my house. I love my Primary Care doc (whom I purposely chose after reviewing his credentials, his web page, getting references, and meeting him in person). I can generally make same-day appointments with him, and for chronic conditions, like sinus infections, I can email him with my symptoms, and he will email me back, usually within an hour or two, letting me know my prescription is ready to pick up in the pharmacy. The longest line I ever stood in there was perhaps ten people long.

I pay $15 to see the doctor, and there is no cost for X-Rays or Lab Work, even MRIs. The cost of meds varies from $5 to $15. There is no cost for preventative medicine like health ed classes and flu shots, pneumonia shots, and shingles vaccines. Kaiser has a huge focus on Wellness.

A visit to the ER at the main hospital costs $50, which is waived if you are admitted. Again, compared with other area hospitals, I have never experienced the kind of overcrowded rooms and day/night-long waits as I have at other hospitals.

If I am sick on the weekends, I have Urgent Care available nights and weekends. An Advice Nurse is available 24/7, and can force appointments and prescribe meds.

In September, when I had a tiny blood spot from a nipple, my PCP got me an appointment with a breast surgeon the very next day. Two days later I was in Radiology with the most awesome, compassionate Radiologist I'd ever met.

From there, everything moved at a rapid pace. Seven procedures later (diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, ductograms, and US-guided core-needle biopsies) I had my diagnosis: breast cancer.

The same Radiologist who did all my procedures was the one to call. She was kind and patient with me, more concerned as to how I was handling the news, and reassuring me that my cancer was caught very early, and - after translating all the medical terms of the pathology reports - said it was very treatable. She gave me her pager number and said to call her any time.

I paid nothing for all these diagnostic tests.

A few days later I met again with the Breast Surgeon, and the R.N. Breast Care Coordinator, who reassured me that she would be with me every step of the way.

I met with the Plastic Surgeon, and loved him. In his case, he does use only saline implants, but I understand that this may not be Kaiser policy, but his own preference. I was fine with that. You may check with the Kaiser in your area to see if cohesive gel implants are available.

My surgery date (BMX w/TEs) was delayed because I got a terrible upper respiratory infection. When the day finally came, I was treated like a queen. In fact, that's kind of how I was treated everywhere I went - every professional and technician I came in contact with was nothing but kind and accommodating. As I was being rolled into the OR, I heard the nurse tell me "Oh, I love working with your doctors and your anesthesiologist - they're the Dream Team!"

There was no charge to me for my surgery, or time in the OR. I was hospitalized overnight. As a breast cancer patient, there was no charge for that. The nurses were attentive, I had a private room (where DH could have stayed with me but he snores like a chain saw), and I was discharged the next day after the BS, the PS, AND the Breast Care Coordinator came to see me.

The following day a nurse called to see how I was doing, and a few days later, the BCC called to find out the same thing.

My PS made sure I had plenty of drugs in case I needed them, and assured me that he would refill them if necessary. At Kaiser, once you see a physician or a specialist, you are automatically able to email them. This proved to be a very comforting feature for me.

Now I am filled to capacity, and waiting until I finish my Optifast Program (at Kaiser) so I can get down to my normal weight before having my exchange surgery this fall.

I'm sure there will be as many opinions about Kaiser as there are people you ask.

This has been my experience, though.

(And DH - who has severe kidney disease - loves it because all of our docs are under one roof, and all our medical records are on the computer - available for all of them to read and review before they see us.)

My PS uses either saline or gel implants, my choice. If you don't like the PS at your kaiser you may use another kaiser PS. I fortunately really liked mine when I met with him.

I have had Kaiser for 15 years and love it. My team has been amazing and my plastic surgeon is renowned with incredible credentials. I have never been so grateful in my life for wonderful healthcare.