ATL: Do you have Kaiser HMO?

[kattykay]

Insurance re-enrollment time! DH's work offers BCBS but we have to pay $$ each month for it and it has a high deductible. It has also been a total pain in the butt about filing things.

The Kaiser HMO option would be free. We are thinking of doing it, but I have to say I am nervous because I don't know anything about it.

We vax, but on a delayed sched. Was this a problem for you?

I'd rather give birth in a birth center, but since that's not an option, I'd rather do a midwife at a hospital. How was that experience for you? Where did you deliver? Who was your provider?

Any info appreciated!

[bellydance2290]

We have the Kaiser option where we can pick a provider (it's not the HMO). I have used the Kaiser facilities for my daughter and they are all really nice. I have never had a problem. I think with the HMO you have to use their facilities and their doctors so hopefully someone will respond that has that experience. You might be able to call them and ask if they have midwives available. Good luck!

[dachshundqueen]

Originally Posted by bellydance2290

We have the Kaiser option where we can pick a provider (it's not the HMO). I have used the Kaiser facilities for my daughter and they are all really nice. I have never had a problem. I think with the HMO you have to use their facilities and their doctors so hopefully someone will respond that has that experience. You might be able to call them and ask if they have midwives available. Good luck!

Yes to all. They have m/w. There are very limited associated to Kaiser doctors.

Liz

[kattykay]

Sorry, dachsund. Can you elborate?

[LittleBirdie]

Hi: We recently switched to Kaiser HMO. We have had a limited experience with them b/c (knock on wood) no one has been sick in the past 6 months.

At this point, I have only used them for MW/OB services and have had a couple of appointments. Yes, they have MWs. I see Lynette Allen-Pye at the Cascade Kaiser center and really have liked her so far. She was really pleased with a lot of the things we have done/want, doesn't understand why breeches "have to be" c/s babies, supports doulas, applauded when I said I nursed DS to 2 1/2. I have also seen one of the OBs (b/c I am co-managed for being a VBAC -- whatever), but he also gave a good vibe. Some of the Kaiser centers deliver at Piedmont (Cascade and Lithonia, I think?) and then other intown patients go to Northside. I'm sure some of the centers further OTP go to other hospitals. We picked to go to the Cascade center b/c we delivered at Piedmont before and felt comfortable returning there. In general, my impression is that they are a pretty traditional group of practitioners, but because the practice and insurance is integrated they are somewhat motivated in lowering costs and interventions. A perfect example of this: they are very encouraging of me having a VBAC which is cheaper for them. However, they told me they would schedule me now for a c/s if I preferred. I did some research before switching and did hear some positive stories about deliveries with the mw's.

I did have a crummy visit with a perinatologist recently and am waiting to get a reaction from the OBs to see exactly how flexible they are. (Perinatologist wants to move my due date way up, which I think is perfectly ridiculous and unscientific.)

Otherwise, I will say I have had pretty good customer service from Kaiser, appreciate getting email notices about test results, being able to email my care provider, having an electronic record that follows me around, pharmacy on premises, etc.

I have not used their pediatricians, but I am a bit hesitant. My neighbor goes to the Smyrna peds and it seems her son is always getting tons of abx and that the docs have not always been helpful in answering developmental questions for the mom from what I can tell. I'll probably stick with the Cascade center for that.

[wrzos]

I have Kaiser and use the Gwinnett facility. I'm fine with them for my OB care - I see the midwives and deliver at Emory Eastside. I do what I want and ignore anything they do/say that I don't agree with. They seem fine with that approach - but I'm not the type who cares if they disagree with me.

For peds, it is another story. They annoy the hell out of me most of the time. So for a while I was driving all the way over to Dr. Kute - who does accept Kaiser. But quite frankly, I hardly ever go to well-baby visits, just need emergency care and I'm 2 miles from the Gwinnett facility - so I suck it up lately and just deal with whoever I get there. Quite frankly, we are usually only going there if we need emergency stitches or x-rays, etc. They are really fine - they just all annoy me. Very mainstream, pretty cautious CYA type docs. Not mean or judgemental - just follow the book types. kwim?

[curious&eager]

I'm in the same boat. I'm sad. $350 to stay with BCBS or $50 for Kaiser for a family of 3. I'm trying to stay home full-time so I don't really have a choice. I love my BCBS doctors and I've hated Kaiser in the past. But, I have met with several people their concerning the switch and they did apologize for their mistakes in the past and have said they have improved their customer service since then.

As for vax, I asked one of the pediatricians there and they said, "I personally have problems with Dr. Sear's schedule but we would accommodate you and work with what you need." With respect to vax, a director answered, "You have to sign a waiver to get vaccines, so we cannot push anything on you that you do not want. We can work with you." So, not the best answers, but not the worst either. It sounds like you can get what you want as long as you stand for it.

I don't know for sure, but on my kaiser hmo the well child visits are free and vaccines are free, so if you spread them out at least you're not stuck with a bunch of copays.

I don't see a ped that I really like on the list, so I might go with one of the affiliated doctors and avoid the main center. The Kaiser HMO (the signature HMO is the only plan where you are required to use the medical centers only) does allow you to use some affiliated doctors, but not as many as their multi choice plan does. I'm looking at Snellville Pedriatrics. I'll miss my old doctor a bunch though, but I'll have to live with it. Snellville Pedriatrics may be a compromise for me. I just have to pay a copay.

For me, it seems like I'll just go there and know that they are providing a service. I'll listen to what I choose to hear and forget the rest. I'll get the shots that I want in the pace I want.

But, I'm just switching too. I've not been there recently. I hope it all works out for both of us.

Sorry, I don't know about maternity. My friend had them and loved Dr. Tate in Gwinnett. I'm so happy I delievered already. I've heard the midwives are great. You may have a good experience because any meds they use cost them more money, so they may help you have a good natural birth. I'm just guessing though.