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#188446 02-26-2015 10:59 AM
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David2 Offline OP
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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.


David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
David2 #188449 02-26-2015 11:45 AM
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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. laugh


Dx 2014Jan29 (42 yr old otherwise fit nonsmoker)
SCC tongue stage III T3N0M0
subtotal glossectomy, partial neck dissection, RFFF, trach, NG tube 2014Feb25 16 days in hospital
RAD 25 zaps 2014May5-2014Jun9
Back to work, paddling & hiking shortly afterwards
David2 #188459 02-26-2015 11:41 PM
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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.





Don
Male, 57 - Great health except C
Dec '12
DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes
1 tooth out
Jan '13
2nd tooth out
Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT
4-6/2013
CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150
ended 5/29,6/4
All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com
David2 #188472 02-27-2015 10:29 AM
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Posts: 1,406
David2 Offline OP
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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.


David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
David2 #188478 02-27-2015 02:03 PM
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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. blush Good luck with the new health care provider, should you choose to switch over.


Dx 2014Jan29 (42 yr old otherwise fit nonsmoker)
SCC tongue stage III T3N0M0
subtotal glossectomy, partial neck dissection, RFFF, trach, NG tube 2014Feb25 16 days in hospital
RAD 25 zaps 2014May5-2014Jun9
Back to work, paddling & hiking shortly afterwards
David2 #188482 02-27-2015 05:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 42
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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.


Nov2011Tonsil Cancer Stage3 T1N1 HPV+, Non-smoker, slight drinker
Dec2011 Radical Tonsilectomy (TORS),
Jan2012 Neck Disection areas 2,3,4
Feb2012 Opinions from 5 RO's decision for No Rads/No Chemo
Jan2013 all clear at 1 year , continue regular check-ups
Jan2014 all clear at 2 years, less frequent check-ups
Jan2015 all clear at 3 years, MRI, chest x-ray, blood work all good
David2 #188496 02-28-2015 07:51 AM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 945
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
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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


CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
David2 #188504 02-28-2015 02:13 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,406
David2 Offline OP
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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....


David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18

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