Kaiser or Blue Cross PPO? (Linda: health insurance, salary, job)

[Lindasuedallas]

Need to make a decision about the best health insurance coverage when I move to California. I'm tempted by Kaiser because the co-pays, unlimited lifetime coverage seems great for a 56 year old, divorced woman with no children. However, I've had experience with Blue Cross in other companies and like their coverage as well but at my company, the lifetime limit is $5,000,000...which with something chronic, I could well run out. I know I'm planning for an unknown future, but if anyone has any experience with either one in the Northridge/Sherman oaks area, please let me know. I would be interested in an internist or general practioner and a cardiologist.

Thoughts or reco's?

[Beth56]

Originally Posted by Lindasuedallas

Need to make a decision about the best health insurance coverage when I move to California. I'm tempted by Kaiser because the co-pays, unlimited lifetime coverage seems great for a 56 year old, divorced woman with no children. However, I've had experience with Blue Cross in other companies and like their coverage as well but at my company, the lifetime limit is $5,000,000...which with something chronic, I could well run out. I know I'm planning for an unknown future, but if anyone has any experience with either one in the Northridge/Sherman oaks area, please let me know. I would be interested in an internist or general practioner and a cardiologist.

Thoughts or reco's?

My personal opinion is that I would never have Kaiser. Some people may have luck with them somewhere, but their reputation is the pits. I'll take a PPO anyday.

[stock66]

Someone explained to me once that the trick with Kaiser is to find yourself a good doctor. Don't settle until you do. The people that I know that have done that are thrilled with the system. The ones that haven't hate it!

[DontH8Me]

Originally Posted by stock66

Someone explained to me once that the trick with Kaiser is to find yourself a good doctor. Don't settle until you do. The people that I know that have done that are thrilled with the system. The ones that haven't hate it!

Good doctor and Kaiser do not belong in the same sentence. They hire the bottom of the barrel - you are not getting top-notch doctors for the salary Kaiser pays. If your friends like their doctor, I am thrilled - but the odds of finding a good doctor in the KP system is like finding an intact snowball on the surface of the sun.

Go with the PPO - there is a reason that few employers offer it and why it costs more than other coverages. When I had BC PPO, I went to the same Dermatologist that works on the celebrities at Raleigh Studios - and the copay was the same as if I had gone to a chop shop. I miss PPO days

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Lindasuedallas

Need to make a decision about the best health insurance coverage when I move to California. I'm tempted by Kaiser because the co-pays, unlimited lifetime coverage seems great for a 56 year old, divorced woman with no children. However, I've had experience with Blue Cross in other companies and like their coverage as well but at my company, the lifetime limit is $5,000,000...which with something chronic, I could well run out. I know I'm planning for an unknown future, but if anyone has any experience with either one in the Northridge/Sherman oaks area, please let me know. I would be interested in an internist or general practioner and a cardiologist.

Thoughts or reco's?

HMOs and PPOs have different philosophies. If you want the best health care go with PPO. You can choose virtually any doctor you want. Want to go to Cedars? Go for it with a PPO. HMOs might not take the extra step or perform the extra test. Also, the quality of the doctor is almost irrelavant. You could have a good doctor in an HMO but his hands might be tied. You could have a crummy doctor in the PPO but his reputation will suffer and he won't get the PPO dollars.

[donnam]

I've had both. I would definitely choose Kaiser. It's part of the reason why we are moving back to California.

I don't want to have to choose which medical procedures I can afford to have. I love HMO's because you get the coverage you need. My Mom had both during her lifetime and I encouraged her to switch to Kaiser when she retired. She ended up with a chronic illness and Kaiser gave her outstanding care over several years until her death. The last few months of her life, they were wonderful to her. They assisted me in end of life issues and medical options, as well. Now that I have Blue Cross, I really appreciate the full-service care patients receive with Kaiser.

[mono#9]

We've been very happy with Kaiser in SoCal. My husband has had four joint replacements (hips and knees) and had wonderful care. Years ago they were considered mediocre but times have changed.

[LALady]

Originally Posted by DontH8Me

Good doctor and Kaiser do not belong in the same sentence. They hire the bottom of the barrel - you are not getting top-notch doctors for the salary Kaiser pays. If your friends like their doctor, I am thrilled - but the odds of finding a good doctor in the KP system is like finding an intact snowball on the surface of the sun.

Go with the PPO - there is a reason that few employers offer it and why it costs more than other coverages. When I had BC PPO, I went to the same Dermatologist that works on the celebrities at Raleigh Studios - and the copay was the same as if I had gone to a chop shop. I miss PPO days

Had Kaiser years ago. it was like having no medical care. I basically gave up and waited until open enrollment to move to another health provider. From what I've seen... young healthy people like Kaiser... people who don't need 'real' medical care yet.

[greggd]

Plans and Companies vary from state to state.

If you are ok with one house treating all your needs go with Kaiser and stand around waiting for that approval while your organs fail.

If you are the type who has a problem and wants to go to the best in the field or one of the group of top dogs, go with a ppo through blue cross of blue shield. Check the rates and plans online and make the choice.

Health insurance is for major illiness. The deductibles and co-pays are substantial if you are a frequent patron to doctor offices. If you are a prescription person, get something that gives you the cheap co-pay on the pills.

If your going to live in West LA, you need to look in west la/santa monica for doctors not the Valley. Whats going on here?

[Good Karma]

I have the BEST doctor at Kaiser !
I had my son at Kaiser Sunset ... which was ok ... not the best though !
Switched insurance when I had my daughter, she was born
at Verdugo Hills Hosp in LaCanada/Montrose area, and was
a much nicer experience !
I went back to Kaiser when I quit my job to raise my kids
and hubby's company only had Kaiser.
I know Kaiser's reputation over the years has
dwindled.... but I think they are recovering from that !