Because of the egregious increases in my Anthem premiums (approx. 400% over the last 6 or 7 years, but at least I've got a $4500 deductible (also raised $1K a few years back)) I can't afford to stay with them any longer. This means I'm losing the wonderful doctors who got me through the whole ordeal back then. But it can't be helped.

Signing on with Kaiser here in CA reduces my premium costs by about 25% and notably there's no deductible (which with all the scans, etc. I generally tend to max out each year). I've heard good things about them but would be curious to hear if any of our members have or are using them.

Many thankings, all.

That kinda sucks. I feel for those of you that have to pay extra for your health care (although us poor Canadians pay through the nose for pretty much everything else).

KP is a fairly large entity and I bet you'll easily find people who use them. All I know directly about them is that they have a few pretty good dragonboat teams, that always beat my team when we race in Portland or San Francisco.

I've been in and out a few times over the years. not now, on PPO.

Kaiser is cheaper than PPO. It is an HMO so all your specialist visits are through your primary, the gate keeper. The co-pays eat you bit by bit. There are charges for scans. maybe depends on the specific plan.

It is a closed system so you pretty much have to use only their doctors. it is not like other plans that have out of network options. i do believe there are some boundary rules so if a doctor is not available within x miles you can go outside network, i think.

They have an online directory of all doctors so you can read up on them and select them.

Often visits take place at facilities that do it all so it is like one stop shopping which is convenient.

Thanks, Van and Don. I know how Kaiser operates, my girlfriend has been with them for years and I've gone down there with her on numerous occasions, so the protocols won't be surprising to me. I'm figuring I'll probably have to push to be my own advocate a bit more than I'm used it, especially when it comes to getting the regular throat scans. The nearest one is also only a few minutes away (vs. the cross LA trip I've been used to, which was tons of fun during my RT) so it's convenient. We shall see!

Oh and Van - about 10 years ago I did some dragon boating when I was living in Miami. Was seeing a woman at the time who was into rowing and her club decided to get involved. I was brought in initially as the drummer - thought I could handle that - but then one of the team who happened to be a local judge pulled rank on the drumming and I was consigned to steerage. I recall we did a regatta and were wiped out by.... a crew from Toronto! Boy were they good too. Fun times. Especially during the early part (when I was still up front with the drum) and the boat took a sharp turn and I fell out. Thankfully Biscayne Bay is always warm.

Haha, we do occasionally see people fall out of the boat. I hope you didn't get run over. Drummers can take a beating at times, for sure. Ours wears a pair of '80's style legwarmers to reduce the bruising she would otherwise receive from straddling the drum.

Didn't mean to derail your thread. Good luck with the new health care provider, should you choose to switch over.

David, have been with Kaiser for a while, as you mention the economics are better. No complaints, the initial response to symptoms, the biopsy, the planning and communication, robotic surgery, neck dissection, options for radiation, and finally the very regular throat exams and scans across past 3 years have all gone smooth. Excellent outcomes on everything. Finding the right specialist, and advocating for yourself seem to work.

David, my husband's treatment was through Kaiser (sold to Healthspan last year in Ohio). Kaiser did not support treatment in Ohio, so his was outsourced to Metrohealth where he had a wonderful doctor. Good experience with Kaiser doctors in general. He needed (and still needs) an ok from his Healthspan (nee Kaiser) ENT see his MetroHealth doctor for his twice a year checkup. Only negative is the endochrinologist who won't do the thyroid pills, so his primary does that.
Just make sure you find a PCP you like and you should be fine.
Maria

Thanks, all. You've certainly helped put my mind at ease (about everything except dragon boat drumming, that is). My life as a Kaiserian starts tomorrow....