Who gives better health care, Kaiser Roseville or Sutter Roseville? (centers, rating)

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by 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...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.

I agree that Kaiser is good, but your free coverage for employees and their families is hardly applicable to the average person. And employees are considered VIP's for treatment. Some people nearing retirement age who buy Kaiser independently are paying $915. PER PERSON for 2015. Plus they pay high co-pays.

[2sleepy]

I'm on Medicare but my ex-employer pays for a supplement plan. I've been on Anthem which has no co-pays and no deductibles but at least in Reno it was horrible to get an appointment to see a specialist, my doc said the physician reimbursement on my plan was excellent but that it's tough everywhere to get in to see a specialist. My husband has a medicare advantage plan and the PPO is through Mercy and he had a heck of a time getting in to see a specialist. My PPO even thought it's with Anthem has both Mercy and Sutter physicians. So, I'm thinking of switching to Kaiser, coverage would be about the same but I'm thinking I would have better luck getting in to see specialists. I don't have any chronic medical problems but I tripped on my own shoe (yes a person can actually do that) and hurt my knee a few months ago and I don't think it's going to get better on it's own. Any thoughts, would I be better or worse off?

[caligirlz]

Medicare Advantage is always HMO (not PPO), and there are plus & minuses to the plan. Only you can decide which plan is best for you.

My mom has standard medicare with an Anthem supplement, which she prefers. She rarely has a copay. She lives in Visalia which historically seemed to have greater limited access to care, however, once I moved to Sacramento in 2005, I realized that limited access to care is statewide.

As I mentioned previously, a very good friend, retired teacher with an excellent pension recently joined Kaiser because it was the cheapest option. I do not know how much she is paying. I do take her comments with a grain of salt. Recently she was comparing her care at Sutter vs Kaiser. Basically complaining about the Sutter neurologist who did a lot of testing, vs the Kaiser doc who said it isn't necessary, and therefore her cost is lower. For this reason, she thinks Kaiser is better. Yet, she was the one seeking answers to her condition, and she wanted all of the tests as she was looking for a definitive diagnosis and a way out of the condition.

Here's some info:
Medicare Adv https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Health-...nfo/index.html
Medicare coverage database https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/
Comparing medicare options https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-cha...e-choices.html

[caligirlz]

Originally Posted by Tired of Chicagoland

My wife works with in the retina office in Kaiser Roseville.

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.

This is pretty common around here. My company has these types of things. If we jump through all the hoops, we even get an annual day off and a discount on our insurance costs. We get discounts on at all kinds of stores/services, including computers, phone service, travel. And then there are all the events that happen on campus to make us happy.

I would agree that Kaiser pays their employees well. However, they do have the tendency to have very high production requirements, burn out staff and then cast them aside. I've seen it over & over with RNs and call center staff. I guess it's worth it in the short term.

[boingyman]

I have no clue what is better, but I had great experience at Kaiser Roseville L&D when my wife gave birth.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by caligirlz

Medicare Advantage is always HMO (not PPO), and there are plus & minuses to the plan. Only you can decide which plan is best for you.

You're right, my husband had to change plans when we moved, he has Blue Shield HMO. In Reno he had Anthem Medicare PPO, and while Sacramento only has Advantage HMO's, Reno still offers three Medicare Advantage PPO's- strange, huh?

Without a doubt the plan I have now is superior to Kaiser, the only co-pay it has is for an ambulance if you aren't admitted, but nothing else, it's just that the agency contribution no longer covers 100% of the premium but it does cover Kaiser's. So if I go with Kaiser I will save around $800 a year. Like I said I go to the doc once a year for a 10 minute visit and if I don't like Kaiser, I can change plans next year. Another advantage to Kaiser is a free eye exam and $175 toward lens and frames. so I'm inclined to give it a shot! And thanks for being our resident health ins. expert, it's appreciated
[/quote]

[2sleepy]

One more question, if I sign up with Kaiser should I go to Roseville? (I live in Carmichael)

[Tired of Chicagoland]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

One more question, if I sign up with Kaiser should I go to Roseville? (I live in Carmichael)

The hospital is in Roseville off Eureka. They also have a large medical office area at Riverside and Cirby which may be a little closer to you. However they are all over Im sure you can just plug your zip code in on the site and will give you the closest type of doc you are looking for.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by Tired of Chicagoland

The hospital is in Roseville off Eureka. They also have a large medical office area at Riverside and Cirby which may be a little closer to you. However they are all over Im sure you can just plug your zip code in on the site and will give you the closest type of doc you are looking for.

Thanks! I just looked at the directory on the KP website and they also have a clinic in Fair Oaks, that's pretty close so I would probably just go there.

[caligirlz]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

You're right, my husband had to change plans when we moved, he has Blue Shield HMO. In Reno he had Anthem Medicare PPO, and while Sacramento only has Advantage HMO's, Reno still offers three Medicare Advantage PPO's- strange, huh?

Thanks, I always learn something new. I've never heard of an Medicare Advantage PPO in California.
Here's the scoop on Nevada.
https://www.anthem.com/health-insura...ge-plans-work/

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

Without a doubt the plan I have now is superior to Kaiser, the only co-pay it has is for an ambulance if you aren't admitted, but nothing else, it's just that the agency contribution no longer covers 100% of the premium but it does cover Kaiser's. So if I go with Kaiser I will save around $800 a year. Like I said I go to the doc once a year for a 10 minute visit and if I don't like Kaiser, I can change plans next year. Another advantage to Kaiser is a free eye exam and $175 toward lens and frames. so I'm inclined to give it a shot! And thanks for being our resident health ins. expert, it's appreciated

wow, that's a huge savings! Thank goodness my employer still pays most of my premiums.
If you have any questions about your husband's bills, PM me. I may be able to direct help, or at least direct you to the right person.

Your welcome.