Who gives better health care, Kaiser Roseville or Sutter Roseville? (Sacramento: 2015, how much)

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by KC6ZLV

And make sure you have some flexibility to change doctors if you end up with one who is a flake. I had that problem with Kaiser and they wouldn't let me change doctors, so I dropped Kaiser.

We never had that problem. We changed physicians and ended up with a great primary care doctor.

[karenwpww]

Sutter Roseville IF you have insurance. Lol..I've heard they treat you poorly if you do not. But seriously I would say Sutter. Just not the emergency room. Yikes!

[caligirlz]

Originally Posted by fairytalelover

I'm starting a new job and was wondering which insurance to pick. I live in Rocklin so I would be going to the Roseville facilities. So which give better health care overall, Sutter Roseville or Kaiser Roseville?

I know, old post, but thought I'd include my opinion.

Depends on the medical model you are comfortable with. I'm an RN and avid anti-HMO. I was appalled walking into a Kaiser during the fall & saw all the people lined up.... total herd mentality. I prefer the independent group model like Sutter.

But, some people LOVE Kaiser. They love the one-stop shop idea. Sutter does have the best reputation along with the highest prices in Nor Cal.

[sanmiguel]

Originally Posted by caligirlz

I know, old post, but thought I'd include my opinion.

Depends on the medical model you are comfortable with. I'm an RN and avid anti-HMO. I was appalled walking into a Kaiser during the fall & saw all the people lined up.... total herd mentality. I prefer the independent group model like Sutter.

Is it the quality of care that makes you anti-HMO? I assume the Kaiser "herd mentality" refers to the crowded waiting room. Does that translate to long waiting times, though? Southwest Airlines has a herd mentality too but generally gets good marks for getting folks from place to place on time as well as their luggage. All for usually lower cost.

[caligirlz]

^^
Quality of care in a round about way. More so, the restriction of care. The requirement to jump through the protocol of hoops with the PCP before a specialty referral. Years ago, this happened to me when I needed to see a back surgeon. The required protocols did not change the outcome, I still needed surgery, but it just delayed the required care for way too long. In some ways, diagnosis related protocol requirements have lessened, or increased (I used to write medical policy too). As far as the insurers go, in some cases the insurer does not authorize on the front end, they deny on the back end. After care. That sucks.

I prefer to pay a little more for choice. I always will take a PPO over an HMO. I've had a PPO with HSA for a few years now, and really love how it works.

Regarding the herd mentality, I wasn't really referring to the crowds per se, but more a mindset. My doctor says I must do it, therefore, I will follow. Ha. I negotiate. Preventive care guidelines are guidelines, not a requirement, and I do not believe that the government is always right. In past professional lives, I've pushed the guidelines/protocols, and there is always a financial reward tied to those practitioners who make sure their patients get their preventive care. The rewards can be quite high. The herd does not realize part of the practice motivation is the financial reward. They just follow the leader. You can see the lines that wrap around the building.

HMO's like Kaiser are typically cheaper. Kaiser does have good ratings. And as I said, many people LOVE Kaiser. Again, it's all due which model you are comfortable with, and probably the bottom line is cost.

[sanmiguel]

Thanks

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I've had both Kaiser and other options through employers, I paid for Kaiser when I was self-employed as well as a choice from an employer. I was born in a Kaiser hospital.

I much prefer Kaiser. I found health care provided to be equal. But, Kaiser will never surprise you with a bill after the fact. Other health providers will initially approve a procedure, then change their mind afterwards and send you the bill. Who wants to worry about that?

Kaiser will have you first go through a primary care physician before you can get to a specialist, but so do the others. Either way, if you need the specialist you will get one. With Kaiser, the co-pay is the same whether you're getting a heart transplant or a check-up. I'd always go with Kaiser when given a choice from an employer.

[caligirlz]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

I was born in a Kaiser hospital.
I much prefer Kaiser.

Exactly what I mean. No right or wrong here. You are used to, and prefer the system.

I was just reading about some of the new ACA revisions for 2016. It made me think of my friends, of all ages, who can only afford Kaiser and aren't happy about it. Or the one friend who couldn't get any satsifaction with her Sutter specialists, switched to Kaiser and is now happy. And then there are those who can't afford any of the coverage and have made the decision to pay the penalty. Times certainly have changed.

[Aquaboy]

I've had Kaiser for forty years. It's the highest rated HMO in Norcal. The care we get is outstanding and they won't run you all over town for this and that.
Count me as a Kaiser-lover.

[Tired of Chicagoland]

I'll chip in with my pro Kaiser view. I dont know anything about Sutter so I cannot comment. My wife works with in the retina office in Kaiser Roseville. We previously just moved from IL and what I thought was a great medical benefit plan compared to my previous employee plan and friends and neighbors plans. In IL we had a HMO That cost roughly $400 a month out of my wifes paycheck for family coverage. Office visit co pays were $35 for a specialist or primary car doc. It was $75 for Urgent care and $150 for ER service co pays. In patient hospital was $250. With our Kaiser plan everything is $5 from ER visit (just had to go for my son 2 weeks ago for a broken arm) or prescription. They also provide family health care completely free. We were still in shock and asked several times as far and few offer free health care in this day and age. The amount of health care you get from them is amazing. The doctors that my wife works with are excellent and care about their patients. So much so they have put in extra hours and weekends to serve them. Our children s pediatrician is amazing. Another thing my wife noticed is that the equipment they have is all top notch and current as compared to her old job.

As one other person commented Kaiser goes above and beyond for their employees. They offer fitness incentives, free family events...ect. For instance they give each employee a fitbit to monitor their daily fitness and if they meet and exceed the goals they earn points which they can trade in for event tickets, fitness items..ect. My wife almost has enough points to trade them in on a brand new bicycle for my son. It is certainly an awesome company to work for and my opinion is that you would be hard pressed to find someone who does not enjoy their job there.

The only downside that my wife has run into is that it is unionized (not a bad thing) but you run into the scenario of 'thats not my job, or your job, thats so and so's job to do. So they have different employees that just do specific jobs, where as my wife is the kind of person if something needs to be done and she knows how to do it she just does it. But that is all behind the scenes stuff so the average patient will never run into that.