Kaiser? Do we like them?

[Lee Lee Can't Log In At Work]

I just switched my insurance at work today. I can change it back, if I want, until Nov 16th. I actually chose Kaiser Permanente this time, and the reason was that my DME is free! I called just to be sure, but they say, yes it's true. They couldn't tell me frequency of new supplies, though.
Now, I'm wary about this. Sounds too good to be true.
Anybody have experience as a Hose Head under Kaiser's care?

[Babette]

Bumping this for Lee Lee.

I haven't any experience with them. My Dad worked for them back in the sixties, but that's all I know.

Hey someone out there has to have an opinion!
B.

[Lee Lee]

Thanks, my Dear! Hope you had a swell birthday!
I just couldn't believe it when I called them and they said my supplies, even my machine would be free! And they didn't have a schedule for replacement, either. So, you just know there's a catch, right? Nothing in life is free.
Cheers!
Lee Ann

[jules]

free isn't probably free ------ what machine they willing to put your way? what masks? how much hell to even get a machine and mask and do you really want to go to one of those training sessions that are what many say are a waste of time

bet you have to start at square 1, do the overnight diagnostic then overnight titration - both at home to be issued a remstar m series Basic machine (no nothing - no cflex - no card - no nothing) with a comfort gel mask with the easily broken clips

get more information fast -----

[Slinky]

I'm in Michigan and to the best of my knowledge we don't have any "Kaiser's" around here. I've never heard a good thing about Kaiser in any of the health forums that I tend to visit. I was delighted when I read our government was looking to Mayo Clinic as a model of quality health care at reduced cost only to read just a day or two later that they were also consulting w/the Kaiser Foundation!!! It scares the hell outta me when I see our government looking to that Kaiser Foundation as a model for revising our health care system!!

[soverytired2]

What your cost will be is determined by what your employer contributes I believe. My share is 20% of dme supplies with kaiser. I have friends who have 100% paid by their employer for dme. Supply refills can also be different. Again my employer allows new equipment at 6 months, while a close friend has hers replaced every 3 months. We both have Kaiser and our dme is Apria here in northern California.

I think they'll likely put you through another test and titration and depending on where you are, will give that basic m series plus. However, I've met several people now who got a great little s8 autoset as their first machine through kaiser as that's what their area dme gives. Kaiser changed my basic machine with no problem when I requested, and I now have the m series pro. They did give me the cheapie comfort gel nasal after I didnt do well with the umff they first gave me. My employer only authorized kaiser for one mask change in that first 30 days.

I was very careful in choosing my doctor when I signed up for Kaiser through my employer, and I have no complaints so far. Now...with my mothers care I hated them with passion so I still say your mileage may vary as it likely would with any healthcare insurance. Its so important to be an advocate for your own health.

Its open enrollment for us this month, and I'll keep the kaiser insurance as the other choice we have is certainly no better.

I work for a company who contracts with kaiser and I literally work in one of their corporate offices. They take great pride that the government has met with them several times about healthcare reform . No comment.
Paula

[pagebypage]

I am on Kaiser (Pacific Northwest); each region may be slightly different, I don't know. Actually, you don't get a DME, but an RT. I'd much prefer an RT any day. They don't get paid by what they sell, so they are pretty good at addressing your issues. I think they are pretty busy, so sometimes I feel like I am being hurried, so I usually ask for the RTs I have had the best experience with. Just as with any of your health providers, it helps if you are your own advocate.
And as mentioned, your cost is determined by your employer's premium payment. My portion is 20%, but remember, it's 20% of list price, not 20% of what you might get online. Still it isn't too bad. No charge for visits with the RT or for sleep studies.
You can get replacement cushions and pillows every 3 months, a new mask every 6 months and a new machine every 5 years. They dumped one of their last REsMed 7's on me when I started on cpap just under 5 years ago. If I had been more informed, I could have refused it for something a bit more modern, smaller, more useful. Still it has been a good machine and quiet, but I think I should have gotten something better. I asked for a new sleep study, and was refused, but they did send me home with a Respironics apap loaner that recorded my condition. That was useful.
I often get replacement cushions or pillows at no cost.
I found my overall care improved when I moved from Salem to Portland. My MD was more willing to send me to specialists. I really am satisfied with all of my providers here in Portland. So your care may vary from one area to another.

[Lee Lee Can't Log In At Work]

Thanks, everyone!
I guess I'll take the plunge and try this. I'm going to hate having another sleep study!