Health Insurance-anyone have Kaiser Permanente?

[Sandy V.]

Since I didn't want to hijack luvmarypoppins' thread, I thought I'd start a new one.

Like many others, we're in open enrollment now. Our current health insurance is being dropped, so I have to find new coverage for our family. We're all basically healthy and only go to the doctor once or twice a year for checkups. Our biggest expenses are probably prescriptions.

One of our options is Kaiser Permanente and another is Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I'm leaning toward Kaiser because it has lower copays for doctors' visits and prescriptions, which are our main expenses.

Does anyone has Kaiser Permanente as their health insurance, and do you like it/not like it? Why or why not?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[oogieboogie]

I have Kaiser right now because the co-pay is lower than my previous one. I can't say I like or dislike it. I haven't had any problems whatsoever with it.

The only annoyance is that we have to fill our prescriptions at Kaiser's pharmacy, which means we can't use Target or CVS which will allow us points/rewards. That's the only bummer part of it.

 

[Sandy V.]

Thanks for the information about using the Kaiser pharmacy. I work from home 2 out of every 3 weeks so it would be a big inconvenience if I have to drive out of my way to use another pharmacy.

 

[Pugsley]

I’ve had Kaiser for years and I love it. The deductibles are low and the prescriptions are cheap. I’m generally healthy but the few times I’ve had problems I think they were very thorough in treating me. Now if I had a serious health issue I don’t know how I’d feel about having no options other than using Kaiser’s doctors. I’ve heard people complain about the treatment they’ve received from Kaiser, but personally I’ve had no problems.

Regarding the pharmacy, I use their automated phone refill line and have all the prescriptions mailed to my home. Easy as pie and it’s cheaper that way too.

 

[Sandy V.]

Regarding the pharmacy, I use their automated phone refill line and have all the prescriptions mailed to my home. Easy as pie and it’s cheaper that way too.

Good idea. I hadn't thought of that.

 

[foolishmortal]

I’ve had Kaiser for years and I love it. The deductibles are low and the prescriptions are cheap. I’m generally healthy but the few times I’ve had problems I think they were very thorough in treating me. Now if I had a serious health issue I don’t know how I’d feel about having no options other than using Kaiser’s doctors. I’ve heard people complain about the treatment they’ve received from Kaiser, but personally I’ve had no problems.

Regarding the pharmacy, I use their automated phone refill line and have all the prescriptions mailed to my home. Easy as pie and it’s cheaper that way too.

I second this statement. I have had them for years now and have no complaints ever!!!!

 

[LadyyRedd]

My only warning is to check their list of pharmacies and list of doctors in their network first before signing up. Kaiser's is different than most. I worked in Health Insurance for 4 years for a competitor and we had a lot of people come from Kaiser with huge complaints about those 2 things.

Kimya

 

[minniecarousel]

The thing with Kaiser: People either love 'em or hate 'em! I had it for quite a few years and when we had to change insurance, I found it very daunting to look for new doctors! Kaiser makes it so easy - lab, x-ray - all of it right there! I'd switch back if I had to (Although, I happen to really like my non-Kaiser doctors right now!)

 

[Sandy V.]

Thanks to everyone for their responses. I really appreciate the input.

Fortunately, all of our family's doctors participate with Kaiser, so we don't have to switch.

Just checked their website about participating pharmacies. It says: "Kaiser Permanente Colorado Springs members may use all pharmacies at Longs Drugs, Walgreens, Target, Safeway, King Soopers, City Market, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, and Albertson's, not only in the Colorado Springs service area but statewide as well." That's great - lots of options, including the one I already use!

 

[Honu]

Kaiser in Northern California is one of the best rated. Kaiser in Southern California doesn't have a good rep, at all. It sounds like Colorado contracts out for doctors instead of the Kaiser Hospitals and compounds we have here. I actually stay with it because I have great doctors and zero copay. The take a number and stand in line part is a drag. Overall I'm pretty happy with it though.

 

[Kermit]

We don't have Kaiser in this part of the country, but DH is a computer programmer and designs a lot of their custom software.

I don't like the idea at all. It doesn't sound like it's the same in your area as it is in parts of California where they're really big, though. I'm a childbirth educator, and other childbirth educators in California that I talk to online don't care for the Kaiser hospitals. It's good to have choices. The people at those hospitals know their patients don't have choices, so they can do what they want.

Have you looked into a Health Savings Account? It's a new kind of insurance plan created at the first of this year. It's basically a major medical insurance plan where you have low monthly premiums and a really big deductable. There's also a tax-free savings account tied to it where you can put money for the monthly premiums and deductable. That money is put in with pre-tax dollars, like 401(k) contributions. We're breaking even with DH's company's insurance plan right now, but as soon as they raise the rates again, we'll be changing to one of those.

 

[Sandy V.]

It sounds like Colorado contracts out for doctors instead of the Kaiser Hospitals and compounds we have here.

Yes, it appears so for the Southern Front Range area (south of Denver). The pharmacy listing says we can't use the Kaiser pharmacies in Denver, so maybe it's more like California up there.

 

[Sandy V.]

Have you looked into a Health Savings Account? It's a new kind of insurance plan created at the first of this year. It's basically a major medical insurance plan where you have low monthly premiums and a really big deductable. There's also a tax-free savings account tied to it where you can put money for the monthly premiums and deductable. That money is put in with pre-tax dollars, like 401(k) contributions. We're breaking even with DH's company's insurance plan right now, but as soon as they raise the rates again, we'll be changing to one of those.

I'll have to investigate and see if my company offers it. Sounds interesting. Thanks.

 

[lap3]

Kaiser in Northern California is one of the best rated. Kaiser in Southern California doesn't have a good rep, at all...

Which one are you referring to? Woodland Hills? Panarama City? Thousand Oaks? Los Angeles? I've never heard this before so we're probably an exception to this claim. My wife and kids are covered by Kaiser and we go to the one in Woodland Hills. I would be included but my employer has a different health plan. We actually like both the coverage and service they provide. The thing with Kaiser is that they're into preventive health care. So, regular check-ups and visits are part of their program....no problem with me!

 

[graygables]

Kaiser in Ohio is very much like the Army hospitals I used to go to. Whenever we were "out of the service area" (like the ER), all I had to do was say we had Kaiser and the chorus of groans and sympathetic nods began. It was awful for us. I had to drive an hour to Cleveland in labor (7min contractions) to deliver my 4th DD. They told me that I would NOT be covered if I went to my local hospital. They also refused to induce me at 39 weeks (as my previous doc had done to prevent another large, possibly injured baby like DD2 was). As it was, DD4 was 9 1/2 pounds and broke my tailbone. By the time we left, our premium was over $900 a month for our family. I was glad to be done with them. BUT, that's in Ohio.

 

[clhcpaca]

I have had Kaiser (in Northern California) for many years and I like the fact that all the doctors, pharmacy, labs etc are in one place. You can choose your personal physician. Also, there is NO endless miles of paperwork. My local facility fills perscriptions, which you can request by walkin, computer or phone...you can pickup or have them mailed to you. I'm not sure what kind of "points" you can get at Target or CVS, but I charge with my American Express and get my miles.

I really like the Kaiser. Cindy

 

[Honu]

Which one are you referring to? Woodland Hills? Panarama City? Thousand Oaks? Los Angeles? I've never heard this before so we're probably an exception to this claim. My wife and kids are covered by Kaiser and we go to the one in Woodland Hills. I would be included but my employer has a different health plan. We actually like both the coverage and service they provide. The thing with Kaiser is that they're into preventive health care. So, regular check-ups and visits are part of their program....no problem with me!

I'm not referring to one hospital in particular, it's the administration of Kaiser of So. California that apparently has problems. Every year when we review our carriers at work I get all kinds of information about customer satisfaction and even malpractice complaints. Kaiser in So. California is one of the carriers that has the worst stats - HMO wise. We don't even offer it in our LA office anymore. In No. California about 40% of the staff are on Kaiser and we have 4 other plans people could choose from. I've never dealt with them in LA, so I couldn't really tell you the difference.

 

[Kahana-ri]

I was a Kaiser baby and all they way until my twenties. I loved Kaiser. It was one stop shopping. I like being able to go to the doctors, lab and pharmacy all on the same site. Its a pain now going to all different doc's and labs.