Kaiser Permanente was founded in 1945. It is a nonprofit health insurance provider with years of industry experience. It offers employer-provided plans, Medicaid, Medicare, charitable health insurance, and other private insurance plans. Kaiser Permanente's plan selection makes it easy for people to find good health insurance. Its plans are available in eight states and Washington, D.C.

Kaiser Permanente offers quality patient treatment and care through its networks, which also makes it a good option. Kaiser Permanente health insurance plans provide insurance coverage at Kaiser Permanente hospitals and clinics. Each Kaiser facility is staffed with high quality health care providers including primary care physicians and specialists.

Members can receive several different kinds of medical care and treatment at one medical center, which makes receiving health care treatment convenient. This offering makes Kaiser Permanente stand out from other insurance providers. While some may find the restriction to receiving care only at a Kaiser Permanente Center, it is helpful if there's a Kaiser Permanente clinic or hospital in your community.

View Kaiser Permanente Reviews

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The Good

Positive Customer Reviews
Easy to View Plan Options
Variety of Health Insurance Plans
Charitable Health Insurance
Unique Provider Network Approach
Member Services and Resources
Additional Tools and Perks
Customer Service

Positive Customer Reviews

A majority of Kaiser Permanente's reviews are positive. Reviewers mention good experiences with care providers and the convenience of working with Kaiser Permanente.

Customer Review: Vicki from Clearwater, Florida

"I was with them for years and I really loved them. All your doctors, hospital, tests, specialists and medications are Kaiser and in their facilities. You should check for your nearest Kaiser hospital/medical center first because most of your tests are done there. But being all in one it is incredibly easy to get everything you need done. The web site is also really good. You can check your appointments, test results, re-order prescriptions very easily."

Easy to View Plan Options

The plan selection at Kaiser Permanente is quite admirable. Kaiser Permanente won't require you to give out personal information like your date of birth or parts of your medical history to get even the most basic information about its insurance policy options in your area.

You just say whether you are turning 65 during the year, whether you get insurance through an employer, and whether you are looking for a plan for yourself or for a group. Then you input your zip code to see health insurance options in your area.

Getting the cost information for a plan will require further research because the monthly premium depends on several factors, like age. But the initial questionnaire will give you access to brief descriptions of the types of plans available and the overall coverage you can expect.

Variety of Health Insurance Plans

Kaiser Permanente offers individual, family, and employer-provided health insurance plans. Employer-sponsored plans help employers add value to their employees' benefits package.

Kaiser Permanente also offers Medicaid, Medicare, and charitable health insurance to individuals who qualify. It also offers catastrophic plans. Some Kaiser Permanente plans are compatible with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). An HSA allows you to save pre-tax dollars to use to pay for medical expenses. Funds in your HSA roll over year to year.

Employers interested in adding vision and dental insurance to their employee health benefits can offer dental and vision insurance through Kaiser Permanente.

Premiums, coverage, copayments, coinsurance, annual out-of-pocket limit, and annual deductible, of course, depend on the individual plan. Before purchasing a health insurance plan, it's important to understand the full cost of the plan, which is not just the monthly premiums. In some cases, it may make sense to pay higher insurance premiums to have lower out-of-pocket expenses.

Charitable Health Insurance

Kaiser Permanente also provides charitable health coverage for low-income individuals who don’t qualify for public health insurance or have access to private health insurance. This offering makes it stand out from other health insurers.

Kaiser Permanente provides subsidies on premiums for these plans and additional financial assistance for out-of-pocket costs when care is received at Kaiser Permanente facilities for covered services.

These plans are available in California, Colorado, Georgia, the Mid-Atlantic (Maryland and Virginia), and Oregon. The name of the Kaiser Permanente’s charitable health coverage is different in each region

Unique Provider Network Approach

As you consider Kaiser Permanente medical insurance plans, keep in mind that it does not offer typical network structures, like Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans. Instead, Kaiser Permanete has its own facilities and providers for patient care. Care received elsewhere is not covered by the insurance provider. If you're interested in a plan with more typical network structures, consider other health insurance companies.

Customer Review: Fay Falatea from Kaneohe, Hawaii

"Me and my family have been insured by Kaiser Permanente for 13 years. The Drs I had were great and customer service from the receptionist was always pleasing. Was sad when I had to change to another insurance."

You should also consider the coverage offered by a plan before finalizing enrollment. Most plans fully cover preventive care. See what the coverage looks like for other treatment, care, or services you may need.

Member Services and Resources

Kaiser Permanente members have access to some great benefits, like an online member portal, mobile app, and glossaries of terms. My Health Manager is the name for the online member portal through which you access your account. Through My Health Manager, you can

View the benefits of your health plan
Make a payment
Download a form you need
Set up (or change) a date for a doctor's appointment
Email your primary care physician or specialist about a minor question
View your medical record

Extra abilities like viewing your medical records make this member portal, even more, personalized and convenient. Plus, members can benefit from Kaiser Permanente's mobile app that allows you to do many of these same tasks.

For members, there's also a dedicated FAQ section that gives you answers to questions you may have about getting an ID card, looking up a Kaiser doctor, and paying a bill.

There is also a dedicated member phone number to contact as well. Kaiser Permanente eases not only logistics but also health care education. Members and nonmembers alike can use Kaiser Permanente's glossary of health care terms, which might come in handy when shopping for a plan, learning how to use your benefits, looking up a provider, and more. Resources like these make the company more transparent and customer-centric.

Additional Tools and Perks

Kaiser Permanente offers many of the same added advantages that other health care insurance companies offer: discounts on health-related products, education about health care as an industry, and a mobile app. These added perks demonstrate Kaiser Permanente's dedication to supporting its members' health and well-being. Each company that offers these additional features puts its own twist on these features, and Kaiser Permanente is no exception.

The mobile app for this company is called the Kaiser Permanente Mobile App, and it allows members to do many of the same tasks that the member portal does. These include contacting your doctor, making a payment, finding a health care providers and medical offices, and viewing your medical history.

Kaiser Permanente has a lot of different discounts as well. Some of these are for fitness club memberships and for massage therapy. In addition, Kaiser Permanente has a wealth of information in its health guide.

Kaiser Permanente also offers health classes and healthy lifestyle programs to help people live healthier lives. If you're trying to make a healthy change in your diet, if you're trying to quit smoking or lose weight, or if you're struggling to manage a chronic illness, these resources would be helpful for you.

Customer Service

Kaiser Permanente values high-quality care. The company website is very helpful, with lots of details about the types of plans Kaiser Permanente offers, member resources, and ways to make the most of the plan benefits.

Kaiser Permanente also makes it possible for customers to get help in either English or Spanish as well.

Flexibility is found in other areas, too. With a health plan here, you can switch doctors at any time and use the find a doctor tool to find a different Kaiser physician. Kaiser Permanente has millions of members. With so many customers to serve, the company has developed a wide selection of resources. The company is transparent about its health plans. It makes navigating the member portal easy and intuitive. Kaiser Permantente anticipates customer questions well.

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The Bad

Negative Customer Reviews
Service Areas
Limited to Kaiser Permanente Hospitals and Medical Centers
No International Health Insurance

Negative Customer Reviews

Kaiser Permanente has also received a high percentage of negative reviews on BestCompany.com. A high proportion of negative reviews is not uncommon for health insurers. However, consider issues found in reviews as you decide whether or not to buy a health plan from Kaiser Permanente.

Reviewers who left 1-star reviews on BestCompany.com shared difficulties with claims payments and dissatisfaction with care received from Kaiser Permanente's providers.

Service Areas

One major limitation of Kaiser Permanente is the span of states that Kaiser Permanente can work with. This company limits itself to just several states out of 50, which means its health plans aren't even an option for you if you live outside of these states. If Kaiser Permanente's plans are not available in your area, you'll need to consider another insurance company.

Limited to Kaiser Permanente Hospitals and Medical Centers

Unlike most health plans that allow enrollees to choose the provider network structure (PPO or HMO), Kaiser Permanente plans only offer coverage for its hospitals and medical centers.

If you prefer to have more options when choosing a physician, you may want to consider another insurance provider that offers out-of-network coverage with some of its plans.

No International Health Insurance

Unlike some of Kaiser Permanente's competitors, the insurer does not offer international health plans. If you are looking for an international health plan for your company or yourself, you'll need to find another health insurance company.

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The Bottom Line

Kaiser Permanente is a great company for health insurance because of its industry experience and plan offerings. It offers many different types of health plans, including group plans for employers to offer employees, plans for individuals and families, and charitable health insurance for those who are not eligible for Medicaid but also can't afford to purchase their own health insurance plan. Kaiser Permanente also offers dental and vision coverage, and good member resources.

For specific information on plans, insurance premiums, and out-of-pocket expenses in your area, contact Kaiser Permanente directly or visit its website.

In fact, the main reason you may not want to use Kaiser Permanente's insurance might just be that you don't live in a region that this company services. For that reason, Kaiser Permanente is admittedly more limited than some competing insurance carriers. If Kaiser Permanente's medical facilities are not convenient to you, you may want to consider another insurer for purchasing health coverage.

If you want more flexibility when choosing care providers, you may also want to find an insurance company that offers out-of-network coverage.

Depending on the type of coverage you're looking for, Kaiser Permanente's plan details might not match up either. However, Kaiser Permanente members benefit from great member services. These include an online portal to manage your health plan, a mobile app, and discounts on health-related products. You'll experience these excellent benefits when you buy a plan from Kaiser Permanente.

For the right customers, this company offers transparency and a common goal to keep you healthy, both of which build trust.

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284 Reviews

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30%

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Anna Parks Kenmore, WA

My experience with Kaiser has been absolutely awful. I am struggling with a health condition that has gone on for five months now and none of the many specialists and doctors I have seen have shown me any compassion or empathy for what I am going through. They are unable to diagnose my condition and instead shove me out the door with the "give it time". Well Kaiser, every time you close the door on me and don't give me the time of day I go back to daily pain. I used to think I could go to doctors when I was in pain and needed help. I no longer trust the doctors that Kaiser provides and will be switching my insurance immediately.

4 years ago

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Patricia Hale Atlanta, GA

Make video appointments, doctor checks in 40 minutes before appointment, closes appointment 10 minutes later so can't see doctor. Impossible to get prescriptions refilled out of state, make appointment with kaiser doctor, doctor orders prescription for wrong medication, can't get them to change (due to no response to calls and emails). Have tried all day to get a hold of pharmacy to fill a correct prescription, no answer, so try customer service, on hold here too. You get no medical service with hours and days of trying and even then it is often to no avail. For example, have been trying to get a procedure since 11/1, will finally get it (hopefully) on 3/25.

4 years ago

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BARBARA MILLER Perris, CA

I was billed from collections from two years ago. The problem is they never sent me a bill from two years ago, so I just received a notice my account went collections and must be paid write away. I called kaiser and was transferred four times no one knew who to transfer me to. I was told let me transfer you to someone who could assist me, but finally the last person was someone in Colorado I live in so calif what? yes, they were rude to me after that. I finally spoke with someone in collections who told me kaiser was behind form the covid surg. I had to pay for their mistake. The kaiser reps were not knowledgeable. I paid the bill and called membership services. I did not want my perfect credit score ruined over their mistake. I have requested a refund form kaiser we will see what happens. Watch your billing!

4 years ago

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Richard Eggers Laguna Hills, CA

If you are on Medicare, Kaiser will do its best not to diagnose diseases until they become catastrophic. I had ABPA, clear symptoms included: Head to toe Hives, Rhinitis, Conjunctivitis, Chest pain, shortness of breath, emergency room visit with CT pulmonary which showed lung abnormalities. Dermatology did not look at my hives, I had to suggest showing them. They went on to make up causes from things I had used for years: shampoo-prescribed 2 weeks of Prednisone, After 4 weeks hives return-laundry detergent-2 weeks prednisone. After 4 weeks hives return-2weeks prednisone, but no plan. Change Dermatology Dr. who only worked with me via phone calls! Dr notes omitted worse symptoms completely. I then self diagnosed that I had acquired ABPA (asthma + lung abnormalities) and requested Aspergillosis Blood test. The results were not given to me. Result: 5 months of extreme pain (hives, chest, breathing) and Dr's continued attempts to mis-direct diagnosis. Went to VA clinic (I am a Vietnam era vet) and got immediate and supportive help.

4 years ago

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Mandy Los Angeles, CA

I know you are a big corporation and most likely won’t care about this but I want to make my experience with your company known. I’ve had Kaiser for almost 6 years. At first, when I was younger with no health issues…I thought it was great. Now that I am older and in need of more care, I am stunned at how horrible your company is. I should have known before signing up again how having an insurance company who owns the care is NOT a good mixture. With all my concerns, the doctors have shrugged me off as being “young and healthy” so of course it’s all in my head. I’m beginning to realize that your organization cares only about the bottom line and not actual care of the patient. I have a primary doctor I’ve only seen twice in the last six years. To get an appointment within a reasonable time, it’s with another doctor who doesn’t know you or a NP. I waited 2 months to see a specialist who was 45 minutes away… got there 12 minutes late because of traffic and never being at that big hospital before and was told the doctor most likely won’t see me because I wasn’t on time. (There was one person checking people in which made me 10 more minutes late). I stood my ground and said I’ll wait and then they called my name right away. Really….. I wait 2 months for an appointment but get treated like trash because I’m 12 minutes late!!!! I have been getting ocular headaches. I’ve seen 3 different Kaiser GP who won’t let me see a specialist. I was literally told by the last GP that the doctors get paid regardless of referrals and since I’m young and healthy…. I don’t need to see a specialist. Well thanks for that fact but since you all get paid

4 years ago

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AlainL Dallas, GA

Absolutely the worst experience. I would not recommend kaiser as a insurance provider. I have been in hospitals day after day trying to get my father taking care of and with each visit and with each doctor, nurse, physician, and rep. having to re-explain everything over and over. The communication between departments has been absolutely terrible I mean horrendous. I can't get proper communication from anyone or even the concern resolved. It's as if people are dragging their feet and or just don't care (which is how we feel honestly). Are concerns are not addressed and we have been with kaiser for 20+ years. It's as if everyone we are talking to has been incompetent and clueless of how to move forward. Upon our last visit yesterday I had a nurse ask why we are there (when we had an appointment), then a few minutes later another nurse walk in and asked us the same question - saw neither of them again only to reexplain the same issue to the doctor (third person that walked into the room), for them to tell us we have to contact kaiser again. This process overall has been incredibly frustrating, and inconvenient and with no resolution.

4 years ago

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Steve E. Colorado Springs, CO

Here in Colorado Springs Co. I would never recommend Kaiser Permanente. They have three office locations and they are not staffed with full specialists, they come down from Denver and the wait can be long when you make an appointment. Even though my coverage is HMO not a PPO Kaiser will make you wait to see one of their doctors that come in from Denver a few times a week. If you have something like heart problems you never knew you had you could end up waiting several months or longer for an appointment and that might not even be with a doctor that can actually help you of diagnose the problem, when that happens it could be another two months. KP's mail order prescription service is horrible a tried it for the first two years under my KP plan and they could never get me my prescriptions on time and several times I ran out of my medicine and that is never supposed to happen. I tried the in town KP pharmacies and they never seemed to have the right medication and if they did you might wait two to three hours for them to fill it. Several times they asked me to come back later and pick them up and that was a long drive over twenty miles. It seems that here in Colorado Springs we are secondary to the Denver area where Kaiser has all their facilities and all their specialty doctors like cardiology, dermatology, all except your regular doctor.

4 years ago

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Gemma Estepa Rancho Cordova, CA

Kaiser used to be a good hospital 15 years ago. This year my dad was diagnosed with lymphoma. I brought him to the emergency room and was admitted due to sepsis. He was doing chemo that time and was gonna get his 4th cycle chemo. He was not treated well by nurses at the med surgical unit, There was this nurse named Robin a female MSU nurse, told my dad "can you not stand and go to the bathroom! My dad kept on doing number 2 given the condition of his cancer. And yes I heard that because I was always on FaceTime with my father. Then next day it was the unit secretary for the morning shift 7-3 pm. She went inside my dad's room and said " you cannot have this food. do you know that you are on cardiac diet! She sounds sarcastic and arrogant. Yes, I was on the phone with my dad and yes FaceTime so I heard the secretary and I know her too since I used to work as dialysis nurse. So. I told the MSU unit secretary. My father is a very sick person, he can eat whatever he wants and yes, you can ask his palliative doctor about it. Some Kaiser nurses does not have compassion to patients if your family member goes to Kaiser make sure be by their bedside because some nurses can be so mean and I am a living witness to that. I tell them I am a nurse not to flaunt my profession, that is to let them know that all patients no matter who they are should be treated with compassion and respect. I regret the day, I brought my father to Kaiser. My dad passed away at Kaiser South hospital. He deserved to be treated nicely not roughly.

4 years ago

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Resin Slinger Mesquite, NV

Only giving one star because I have to. Kaiser pediatricians suck! Daughter finally when to a Naturopath Dr to finally get results for the YEAST infection my granddaughter has had for 11 months. Kaiser Pediatrician said “I don’t know what this is, but here, use this hydrocortisone on your baby”. What the AF a steroid on a baby? Daughter finally gets appt with Kaiser Dermatologist “I don’t know what this is, but here, try this stronger hydrocortisone steroid on your baby”. Naturopathic Dr says “I think this is yeast, try this concoction of coconut oil and boric acid. Yeast infection GONE IN 3 days! My god, they let my grandchild SUFFER for 11 months.

4 years ago

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Matt Spokane, WA

Unfortunately I cannot recommend Kaiser to anybody. I haven’t used my insurance much at all, but just about every time I do there are problems. Within the last 6 months: 1) They have not yet payed for a covered emergency visit while out of town when it’s clearly in the plan. The provider said Kaiser didn't respond which has created a huge headache for me to avoid collections and it is still is not resolved (was a simple test/check for lymes and anibio script). Its been 6 months and they haven't yet paid the provider. 2) The Doctor I saw for a checkup after many years (8) was not very thorough (didn’t even look in my mouth) and the other one I saw for something else seemed very “spacey” (but was nice) at the appointment. 3) I had an internal referral to another one of their offices that did not go through or is still in queue after more than a week. When I call them to figure it out I am put on hold by their automated system prompted with “more than an hour wait time”. I Sent a message internally rather than spend my day on hold and didn't hear back either. 4) I made an appointment in their system with a dr the other week and was called just two days before the appointment for them to cancel it on me. Explanation: “The dr is not in that day...” despite being on the appointment schedule in their system that allowed me to book, confirm, AND check in to the appointment. (cancelled on me right before I was going out of town). The lady told me that I can go to a walk in or schedule an appointment for a different time. 5) I had to get an x-ray this year but they didn’t get sufficient imaging the first time, so I had to go in and pay for another one. In my estimation I have paid in maybe 5x what I have ever received in benefits being a customer of Kaiser Permanente. This insurance provider is just not good based on my experience. I am switching to another provider for next year because I have been through far too much headache with them and I am unhappy.

4 years ago

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Meg RP057 Cumming, GA

Kaiser is terrible. Take any other option you have. Some of their doctors are good, but you are just another number to them. My daughter needs mental health care we are very concerned about her and the first available appointment for mental health is 4 MONTHS AWAY. I tried to contact member services about it and got a rude response about using my daughter's account without access even though she had officially given me access through Kaiser. Meanwhile NOTHING was mentioned about her serious issues that my original email was about. They didn't bother to call either of us. I tried to call them but you go through the whole, "if this, press 1, if this, press 2..." When you finally get there you need to have a book to read while you are on hold. My family has been with Kaiser for 25 years and we are finally leaving. They have definitely gone down hill. I would give them negative stars if it was possible

4 years ago

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Christopher Dilts Los Angeles, CA

It is very difficult, if not impossible to receive maintenance or preventative health care from Kaiser. It seems that they are adequate for catastrophic conditions requiring immediate hospitalization such as heart attacks or strokes but forget about making any progress for non-emergency health issues. Doctors miss in-person and phone appointments with no advance notice and are apparently so pressed for time that this is not that unusual. Kaiser truly represents our U.S. Health care system gone awry. :-( In over 4 months of persistent efforts on my part, I have received no assistance with foot, ear, and other non-emergency health conditions.

4 years ago

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Crystal Vancouver, WA

Kaiser is GARBAGE! I don’t even want to give them 1 star. My husband has been waiting over 18 months for carpel tunnel surgery. They have brought him in 4 times to schedule the surgery to just be pushed back over and over. Most recently our 16 year old son agreed to go to counseling (do you have any idea how hard it is to get a 16 year old to agree to counseling!) when we called, they gave us an intake appointment for nearly 3 weeks later! Are you kidding me! And that’s just a phone call with someone! Not even an actual counseling cession. And this is the 3rd time we have attempted to get him seen by a therapist. I don’t know why my husband spends $1100 to have subpar, mediocre healthcare. 🤬 If you can get coverage ANYWHERE ELSE, DO IT! I am aware of all the obstacles with Covid and such, but that is no excuse for the way things have been handled. So disappointing.

5 years ago

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Kimberly McBride Los Angeles, CA

If you don’t get sick, have multiple conditions at the same time, Kaiser is the perfect maintenance plan for you. For me, with multiple conditions that required the elimination of pain before adopting a pain management plan, and real medical care, Kaiser has been the worst place for me and my needs. Doctors and offices didn’t return messages, prescribed conflict medication, pharmacist didn’t inform me of the moderate to severe drug interactions and bounced me around and treated me like a leper because they couldn’t talk me into getting the vaccine until they resolve my pain issue. The grievance area is just as sad and a waste of time as they just copied down dates and sent a letter of information acknowledging my complaint. I just asked for a test concerning my T3 levels which is information necessary to assess thyroid levels and I was basically told they don’t test for that level at Kaiser. Whaaaaaatttt? How can you not test for something that impacts the entire endocrine system? I wouldn’t recommend Kaiser to anyone I care or didn’t care about. This place boast about being the number one teaching and magnet health care system, it should promote their doctors’ medical egos, elitist attitudes, and their limited capacity to create health care plans that promote the real needs and concerns of their patients. Again, I didn’t believe the negative reviews, and my body, peace of mind, and quality of life has paid the price. I have two cabinets full of experimental medication without an ounce of relief. If you chose to ignore this warning, just be prepared to become another medical record number guinea pig as they practice medicine.

5 years ago

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jeff prentice El Cajon, CA

I’m permanently disfigured and disabled from their failure to reattach a distal biceps rupture. Pretty much all the literature says it should be reattached immediately. I saw an incompetent physicians assistant and three surgeons and they just pass the buck. Physical therapy saw me once and said they couldn’t do anything. The 20 hours of acupuncture was useless. You can’t sue Kaiser you can only do binding arbitration, and my lawyer said that I wouldn’t have a chance against their team of lawyers since technically this wasn’t malpractice it was just a poor choice on their part since conservative treatment is an option… Just one that should never be exercised. It’s also been over a year and I’ve been unable to schedule a surgery for my trigger finger. Attempts to contact orthopedics just goes into a black hole. They’re really good at ghosting people. Member services is useless. They just dropped silver sneakers from their Medicare plan and as usual they point the finger at Covid. That doesn’t really make sense because they could’ve just as easily suspended that benefit and then restarted it when the gyms opened. I do have a great primary care physician, but that’s about it. When you really need them, they aren’t there. That’s been my experience. I’m switching as soon as enrollment opens up.

5 years ago

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MJ Vancouver, WA

Some of the staff are terrific but management sucks. Over an hour waiting on phone to make a same day appointment because my doctor told me to come in that day. Had surgery on Sept 1. 21 days later I get a letter in my Kaiser account stating that certain products had been approved to be sent to me for changing the dressing on my surgical wound. This was to be done daily. I had already purchased the supplies at a local pharmacy. There was a phone number to call if I had any questions which I did. I called and found that it was a company that Kaiser contracts with. The company rep told me they just received the order on September 21. Kaiser had received the request from the doctor on the 7th of September. It then had to be approved by someone. The company rep sending the supplies assured me I would have them the following day, the 22nd of September. It is now the 25th and I still don’t have them. As to medical care: I had an emergency 2 days after my surgery. I was told to come in to the local clinic. When I was finally seen I was told there was nobody there that day experienced with the mechanical device that I had to wear in connection with my surgery. I was sent to the local hospital where this particular brand of this device is not used. However, a staff member was able to reach my doctor and she told me to come in Tuesday but to call first for an appointment time. She told me not to turn the device off even though it would sound an alarm every hour. Now this was on Saturday and I couldn’t be seen until Tuesday because Monday was a holiday. So for over 3 days I got to be irritated with an alarm going off every hour. How much sleep do you think I got? In addition to this poor care I had to travel 70+ miles for the surgery and follow up appointments. Speaking of appointments, my first appointment prior to the surgery was with the two surgeons involved or at least that was what I was told. When I called to make the appointment I was told 8:00 am was the only time available which meant a 4:00am arising in order to get there on time. I took the appointment and when I got there only 1 doctor came into the room. I asked where the other doctor was. The doctor didn’t know what I meant. Then I explained and she was totally unaware and apologized. She knew nothing about the other doctor being present at this consultation visit and besides I had already seen him days earlier. She said she would look into it with the appointment maker, but to date I have not heard anything. I cannot wait to change health providers.

5 years ago

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kawonia bernstine San Bernardino, CA

I’ve been a member of and a former employee of Kaiser. I’m very saddened by the treatment that has been provided to my 80 year old mother who suffers from dementia, she’s been denied medical care denied appointments, appointments not booked. She’s retired and has excellent insurance that is payed for, to be treated with less compassion is just horrible. I’ve filed grievances with member services more than once they have been of no help just awful. By far the worse customer service care ever from a very known company. I will be filing a complaint to corporate for patient neglect and for providing my mother with a medication that has worsen her dementia.

5 years ago

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Claudette Cooper San Diego, CA

Kaiser is the worst health care I've ever experienced. I can't wait for open enrollment on Nov. 1st. They are so slow at getting to the route cause of a problem it's beyond pathetic, it's life endangerment. I hope I make it to a PPO by Nov. 1st and am able to get the right care and the right testing for my ailments. Heart Disease and Vascular Disease run in my family. I have high cholestoral and high blood pressure, I have pressure and pain in my ears, head, neck, left arm. In the last 12 weeks this has happened and in the last 8 weeks this pain has traveled to my calves and top of my feet where I can't walk more than 2 blocks without excruciating pain. Prior to this I excersized walking 5 miles. I also work out with a personal trainer at Cross Fit.

5 years ago

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munchkin7803 Fredericksburg, VA

Kaiser has the worst customer service and the worst health care. My child has not been able to get care for her health issues. She receives text messages from the dr. But is not allowed to actually see the dr. If I was still receiving health care from Blue Cross Blue Shield, my daughter would have been feeling better way before now, now she has to go away to college feeling sick every day because the Dr. would not see her before she left and has prescribed her medication that did not help at all and is making her wait until October so she can come see the dr. If she was able to see the dr. In the first place none of this would have happened

5 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Amanda Lynne CO

If I could give them zero stars I would. I had to fight for years to receive treatment for an adrenal tumor. During that 18 month fight my health severely degraded and still treatment is limited. Online PT, limited follow up, my Dr went on sabbatical, couldn't even get an emergency life saving steroid injection kit that is a standard treatment for AI. Their refusal to diagnose has destroyed me and there is absolutely nothing I can do -no lawyer in the state seems to be willing to fight KP since they only allow arbitration. 2nd incident- my daughter had to go to urgent care. They treated her like a drug addict, did a little blood work and sent her on her way. I picked her up because she was in so much pain she could barely walk. About an hour later she checked her blood test results and had seriously high levels - I rushed her to the ER this time. Within 30 minutes she was admitted - pancreatitis and gall stones. She stayed for 3 days before surgery and 2 after. They should have never sent her out of UC but they just don't care. Now me again- broken foot. No pain meds because all the pill seekers in Oregon. Orthopedics is supposed to call to set an appointment, instead they send a message through KP.org which I don't see because I have a job until it's too late to schedule. Had to wait until Monday. call to schedule and no appointments until January- JANUARY. For a broken bone. For real? I can do a phone appointment which is useless. Whatever you do, I don't care how cheap it is. Stay far far far away from Kaiser. They don't care about people, or their health. You would be better off being treated by the clowns at the circus.

5 years ago Edited December 7, 2021

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R, Gipson Boulder Creek, CA

I had good experiences with Kaiser in Stockton, CA, but horrible with Kaiser in Santa Cruz, CA. I went into urgent care with an excruciating sprained ankle and could not walk without the use of cars, the hand rails, and inside Kaiser I used furniture and walls to get around. The front desk person was rude in her tone and would not look away from her monitor to even look at me when we spoke. She saw that I was having trouble walking and was in pain but not once did she offer me a wheelchair or even a crutch. Besides, she had me come up to the counter twice - then had me walk down a long hallway and back to her desk twice to see the x-ray tech and the onsite pharmacist for my prescription. I had to walk past 5 well chairs just behind her desk area around the corner to do so yet she did offer me one once! I was leaning on the walls and door knobs, limping, and on occasion grunting because my ankle hurt so bad to walk on it. I passed a security guard, multiple medical "professionals", and even the physician's assistant I saw did not offer me anything to assist in walking. Eventually, after I had already walked throughout the urgent care facility and was quite frustrated, the medical assistant assigned to me asked me if I wanted a wheelchair. I say "It's a little late for that now since I've already had to walk the entire facility without help." Before I was done talking, she turned around and said "Ok." as if to just brush me off. *These are the kinds of people we can expect expert medical care from? It gets worse... I was seen by a physician's assistant(PA)- I asked to see a doctor. The PA looked at my xrays and essentially questioned if anything was wrong with me at all. (I had already been limping around for two days and called into work bc I couldn't perform my duties). So now I'm lying...? The only reason I was there is bc my ankle hurt severely and I'm almost 50 so my wife thought it best for me to have it looked at. Now, this woman who is not a doctor is treating me like an idiot, asking me "How have you been walking on your ankle." As if there was something "I" have been doing to exacerbate the problem - if there was one at all in her opinion. She said she could not see anything wrong on the x-ray then turned the screen to show me. I had already asked the x-ray if anything regarding a sprain would show on an x-ray of bone. (The x-ray tech was a really nice guy.) He said the "Dr" would be able to see swollen tendons or ligaments, etc, and see the problem. When this PA showed me the x-ray, it only showed bone! Therefore, she could see nothing of relevance. Which was my thought in the first place and the reason I asked the x-ray tech. I said to the PA, "That x-ray only shows bone - not anything in regard to a sprained ankle." She tried to save face and to explain that sometimes she would see a "bone spur, etc...." I tried to explain again what I had been going through but she was not convinced but then gave me her "recommendation" of time off work and prescription strength Advil. She never brought up that I was also there to get a note to let my employer know why I was calling in and that I had a valid reason. I had to remind this "PA" that I needed a note before she left the room. She returned with the note, explained it, and then left the room and was off to see her next patient - me still limping behind her and her medical assistants, and numerous medical staff - still none offered me a wheelchair or even a crutch. On the way to get my Advil, I took one of the wheelchairs that were collecting dust by the front office and used it to get my meds. During my visit to Kaiser yesterday, 7/19/21, I had walked more on my sprained ankle than I had the entire day and left neglected and with a bottle of Advil. Are these the people we consider "essential"??? To whom? Obviously to their own echo but not to their patients. Needless to say, I won't be going back to any Kaiser of my own accord, and I will be posting this same review wherever possible. This is what happens when you deem some people's employment as "necessary" above everyone else's. You just create ego-maniacs who think they're doing you a favor while doing their job poorly. Now my Kaiser Insurance is entirely useless. *Breakdown: 1. Pharmacist was nice - He and I had some good laughs. Very personable. 2. X-ray tech - He was great also. Also very personable and genuine. 3. Physician assistant - She was not knowledgeable, pompous, nor helpful, and made me feel like I was being dishonest about my condition. (Empathy, compassion?) This woman should not be seeing patients - at least those who want to get well and leave with any dignity. 4. Front office lady - She was rude in her tone and complacent 5. Medical assistant - She was short and complacent and cocky!

5 years ago

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WT Vienna, VA

I'm trying to find a Black primary care physician and there don't seem to be any. I have made three visits - one to a podiatrist and another to a new primary care physician and another to an optometrist and all left me feeling like I was just another MRN instead of a patient. I had to state my concerns repeatedly and had to keep probing before anything reasonable was offered. I'm not sure what information a doctor can get from listening to one's heart for less than 2 seconds - I guess hearing one beat is enough. I was given diagnoses that weren't communicated to me - only written in the report. After getting lab results, instead of responding to each result, the lazy doctor copied and pasted the same thing for each report which generic suggestions. I have receive no follow up regarding some of my lab work. Feeling like Kaiser if more like a free clinic. I initially thought I'd like the idea of having most specialties on one place, but this is not IT. I will be switching insurance plans if I am unable to find physicians who care about patient care and not getting people in/out as quickly as possible. #SayingNOtoKaiserPermanente

5 years ago

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Kerri Fiero West Linn, OR

Kaiser is the worst there is they delay care tell you you dont need care and provide the worst care for pain or chronic conditions Very long waits to get to see a doctor even longer for specialty care Their Physical therapy is a waste they talk to you and give you a paper with exercises to do at home. dont even see if you are even physically able to do them. I fell a month and a half ago did go in for MRI I have dislocated nerve roots other never roots being squished and many other problems in my back My legs go numb and wont move often Still cant get in to see a doctor PCP is still a moth out specialty care is 3 months out to get care. They refuse to refer me out of network so I can get care as they do have those doctors but you cant access them in timely manner Referral to surgeon got denied and referred to physiatry instead that is 3 months out but i can have a phone appointment 2weeks from now what can they do for you over the phone ? Kaiser is the worst McDonalds of health care give you the least possible care make you wait get the order wrong and get you out as fast as they can. One phone appt doctor lied told me no changes on MRI and yes there were i had it open in front of me and i can read I worked in healthcare there were many bad changes and that I should take the gabapentin she prescribed sorry I am allergic to gabapentin and its on my allergy list. Worthless appointment and that the only doctor i have seen yet a month and a half I have been trying to get care. Kaiser sucks would not refer a pig to go to Kaiser. terrible health plan and health care.

5 years ago

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Linda Inglewood, CA

Kaiser Permanente's "care" has deteriorated to the point where I'm scared to go to them for anything! It's impossible to get an appointment with your primary care physician, ESPECIALLY when you're sick, which means you are left with seeing a stranger who doesn't know or even care about you in their urgent "care" department or the emergency room. I have had too many extremely negative experiences with incompetent or totally uncaring Kaiser doctors over the past two or three years to count. I really want to get out of this plan, but I'm trapped until the enrollment period opens up in November. If I could, I would sue them to recover all the premiums that have been paid by my employer for this crappy plan -- more than $1100 per month!!! For nothing! It's a ruthless shakedown! I know that many health plans in the U.S. are pretty unimpressive but, believe me, Kaiser is the absolute worst! Beware.

5 years ago

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Marko Vrtikapa Arvada, CO

June 24, 2021 OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SUCKS! Two days ago I had a bad night. I was short of breath, coughing which leads gagging, a slight fever and could not get ANY sleep. The next day, I call my primary provider - with whom I have my insurance through - Kaiser. I am hacking on the phone, my voice in garbled because on sore throat, etc. I CANNOT have another night like that - not two days in a row - I got maybe 2 hours of sleep. I speak with the nurse for my md and I am told that they can get me in on July 12th. I laughed - they are worthless! Kaiser is horrible! Sidenote: I went to Instant Care - paid out of pocket for meds and appointment and saved $50. That's right - Kaiser, my insurance company, would have charged me $50 bucks more for the same service.

5 years ago

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Jennie Brennan Loveland, CO

Made an appointment over a month ago at the Loveland, CO office. Over 45 minutes wait after the appointment time. No one came out to acknowledge I was even there and that they were running late. Once I got back to the examination room I sat waiting for the doctor, the assistance came in and was rude and asked me if I wanted to reschedule. After being asked that 3 times, I just walked out. Terrible service for the amount of money I pay every month. Haven't seen a doctor in a year and it will probably be many more before I go back. The Loveland CO office is terrible and I would not recommend it and if I could give it NO STARS I would

5 years ago

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Larisa Ashburn, VA

BEWARE OF BEING OVERCHARGED!! I always ask for a cost before doing ANYTHING. They always say this is covered or this is a low price. Every single time I get a big bill in the mail. They will say a video visit with your doctor is at no charge to you. I have done 3 so far and every single bill came out to be $300, $650, and $200. I had to call for all of them to get them to correct the bill which was supposed to be AT NO CHARGE TO ME. This is ridiculous. This constantly happens to other family members too and for small stuff too. Every time I need something from them it needs to be a whole big stressful situation. I can’t imagine the amount of people who just pay these incorrect bills. I now keep documentation of every time they tell me the cost of something because I already know they will try and scam me.

5 years ago

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Sam Seattle, WA

Terrible insurer. They are provided free through my employer, which is great because they have no record of me even though I have an insurance card and packet they sent me and have used them once already for a virtual consultation with a particularly useless physician. Nearly impossible to get any assistance and they claim to have no record of me, even though I have already set up an online account. To top it all off thier help line is only open during normal business hours (you know, when people work) so it becomes nearly impossible to get a hold of anyone so that they can attempt to do their job.

5 years ago

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Lu Lu Stanley Woodstock, GA

1. I cannot get anyone to answer the phone at my nearest Kaiser office. 2. My child has a printed insurance card from Kaiser but cannot be found anywhere in their system online or at the local urgent care across the street from the Kaiser building. 3. I had to use the urgent care for my children's ear infection because no one could be reached at the Kaiser office. 4. I tried to register my other child online for her first pediatrician appointment. The website is not working properly and I cannot get her an appointment online and trying to call in the middle of the pandemic is a lost cause. 5. Kaiser's app for video appointments is shoddy at best and my husband had to miss an emergency mental health appointment because of it. 6. The Kaiser building closest to us is in the next county. It is extremely difficult to pick up regular prescriptions from another county. For this reason my husband had a gap in his depression medication. 7. Over all, the switch from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Kaiser has been nothing but stressful. Having to use Kaiser has contributed to our mental health issues and Kaiser had also failed to provide care for our children.

5 years ago

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duncan Aurora, IL

Have a nail in your head causing headaches? - Sounds like Covid! Have a toe infection causing fever? - Sounds like Covid! Wear your mask, social distance, answer the Covid questions, listen to the Covid recordings over and over while on hold & being transferred, have staff treat you like a Leper...Did i mention they are concerned about Covid? Better have symptoms of Covid, because that is all Kaiser treats apparently, and they will place appointment after appointment in your way of treating your potentially fatal illness, all to rule out Covid (~%99 survival rate). Too bad I never had any Covid symptoms, because I could not wait any longer and gave up trying to get help from Kaiser after 3 appointments and multiple months jumping through their hoops.

5 years ago

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Lawrence Wayne ,

I took a position in September for the Public Health Institute as a Case Investigator for COVID-19. My insurance, including Kaiser Permanente Medical coverage, should have activated and allowed me to see doctors by the end of October. Despite my constant urging, dozens of email messages, several phone calls, a visit to a location to provide blood and make an appointment in person, AFTER ALL THIS TIME AND EFFORT . . . I HAVE YET TO ACTUALLY SEE A DOCTOR!! The doctor assigned to me conducted a phone interview several weeks ago and due to NUMEROUS PRESSING MEDICAL NEEDS, including follow-up to surgical procedures that I was unable to have addressed while suffering under Medi-Cal the last several years, IT WAS AGREED I NEED(ED) AN IN-OFFICE APPOINTMENT IN ORDER TO PROPERLY ADDRESS. Then, after driving in the pouring rain to make the appointment and to provide the blood ahead of the appointment, after twice going to test for Covid and after taking work off for an afternoon in order to attend the appointment, THE CALLOUS, FLIPPANT DOCTOR CLAIMED THE SHE HAD A “SCHEDULE” CHANGE” AND CHANGED MY APPOINTMENT BACK TO ANOTHER POINTLESS PHONE CALL! After waiting 40 minutes for that call that never came . . . well, I left in complete and utter disgust. And when you call or write or ask or create a grievance, THEY DO NOTHING BUT STALL AND LIE AND WASTE MORE OF YOUR TIME AND NEVER EVEN ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS ANYTHING. I am now forced to implore my employer to change my insurance as soon as possible TO ANY OTHER OPTION THRU WHICH I MIGHT ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO HAVE MY VERY SERIOUS AND PRESSING MEDICAL NEEDS ADDRESSED! Kaiser “Permanente” will hopefully be only“Temporarily”.

5 years ago

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vickie charrier Redondo Beach, CA

I recently had prolapse surgery and an eye exam! Kaiser triples the charges and I was left owing an extremely amount of money! 5 months later bills are still coming in! The eye exam they gave me was just a simple exam! Without insurance I could get an exam and fitting for glasses for $100! Kaiser charged me $320 for the simple exam and $77 for the fitting of my glasses ! I paid $80 upfront assuming that would cover all of my cost! Wow was I ever surprised to receive that bill! This will be my last year with Kaiser now that I am aware they triple the charges to patients! As far as my surgery, they damaged my thumb during surgery! I never had any hand issues, 2 weeks later and being bed ridden, my thumb and palm of my hand started hurting so bad, I couldn’t even turn the door knob! Went to the Dr and discovered I now have trigger thumb that will need surgery!! So how did that happen since I was bed ridden! Had to happen during surgery! DO NOT use Kaiser they triple their charges and they are not looking out for their patients!

5 years ago

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val Oak Harbor, WA

Where to start. First they deny an asthma drug because I hadn't yet used a particular inhaler. OK, tried that one for a month all it did was make the coughing worse to the point I felt as if I were drowning. Dr said now they have to give you what he prescribed. They said no again because I hadn't first tried this other inhaler. My dr's office had to argue with them for 3 days that I had JUST USED IT at their insistence and their "approval". Then, company laid me off with severance and insurance coverage for severance period through cobra. Oh dear god, what a long painful process that was. I finally contacted my former employer and the dept set up to help with cobra. When I mentioned to the young man just who my insurance was through he actually said "oh boy, it felt like you just ripped my heart out" because they have nothing but problems with KP. great. Now, my dr wants me to get and MRI for a known back issue so I can get cortisone shots. Nope, I don't meet criteria. They would rather I pop opioids and lose the use of my leg because they don't want to pay. This will now draw into next year and cause me to spend more money on deductibles while my dr and I fight our way through this. Run like the wind AWAY from this company unless you like having every decision made by your physician questioned and argued with. They do not like to take care of their clients and will fight you for every little item at every turn. Can not WAIT to be able to switch to a different insurance carrier. KP is absolutely the worst at customer care.

5 years ago

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Kipton Solmonson Coeur d'Alene, ID

Terrible, greedy, money-centered filth of an insurance company. One time I went to pick up a prescription from Costco for my sick infant, and I got there only to be told they don't take KP insurance. I proceeded to call the KP member line to find out what was awry. The first two of their "in-network" pharmacies in our area he told me I could go to were businesses (former shoko and former kmart) that had been closed and out of business for months, even years. Another time, you'll love this, I work in a high school building that actually added a Community Clinic right within our building to make ease of service to students, families, & staff without the loss of instructional time (and this project was completely funded by KP itself mind you). It was over a half-million dollar investment by KP. I thought great, how convenient, because I was coming down with a flu bug and wanted to get it taken care of... I attempted to schedule an appointment and the office secretary asks for my insurance card (with kp) and she proceeds to hand it back to me saying, "I'm sorry sir, we don't accept KP insurance here." I proceeded to call member services and berate them on how completely asinine and absurd that was. The grand finale occurred today when my wife's pre-authoriztion request for an MRI on her lower lumbar area (requested by our chiropractor) was simply denied for no apparent reason other than what I'm assuming is they don't want to pay for it and the appeals process will simply elongate the approval well beyond the calendar year that we will no longer even be a member by the time the service would occur. Fair warning, if you need any pre-authorized service and its past October in the year, good freaking luck trying to get them to approve it in a timely manner. It can take 14 to 45 days the customer service agent says. This is the absolute worst health insurance provider there has ever been. Avoid them at all costs, no matter what you have to do. Terrible, greedy, money-centered filth of a business.

5 years ago

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Hyunghee Chun Severna Park, MD

I had a plan with Kaiser Permanente for a little over 5 years. Saturday they sent me an e-mail telling me that my plan is terminated because my last reoccurring payment did not go through. I called to pay it (having to wait until Monday because they don't operate on weekends) and they told me they aren't allowed to re-activate terminated plans. I moved over 3 years ago and tried to update my address with them, but apparently it did not go through because they can't even change an address of their active plan holders who have signed up via MD Health Connection. I received no paperwork about my 1 time reoccurring payment that did not process before they decided to terminate.

5 years ago

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linda panchea Rancho Cucamonga, CA

I had Kaiser for many years and each year it gets worse. They absolutely don't care about their patients and they sent you home and ask you to take over the counter medicine. It's been 4 years since I haven't had a routine blood test and when I disputed that , I received a letter home saying that I basically don't need routine blood test for another 2 years, because 4 years ago my blood tests were fine. It's unbelievable but it's true, i am paying over $800/a month for me and my daughter and I don't even have the right to a routine check-up. I will absolutely change my insurance and they because I have insurance for my company they will love my employees as well.

5 years ago

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Shuchismita Hassan Silver Spring, MD

My coverage started one day ago and I already regret getting involved with Kaiser. I needed to get a Covid test URGENTLY to get back to work, and they said they would only cover the cost if it was at a Kaiser clinic. I got a referral from the physician they connected me with, and she booked an appointment for 1pm. I went in to the drive through (they don't let people in without a car, I don't have a car so my friend had to take the time to drive me) and they said they had no record of an appointment and they're not even open at 1pm. They were also closed over the weekend, so basically, I would have to wait till Monday or go to a more organized and competent clinic and pay out of pocket. If I wait, I have to miss another week of work for the stupidest reason. If I get a test somewhere else, they said (after talking to 3 departments and being on hold for 2 hours) I might qualify for a reimbursement but I would have to waste more hours of my life to file a reimbursement appeal. Oh and this needs to be done on their online portal, which I have not been able to register for on their website, and their IT department has failed to help me with it.

6 years ago

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Nicole Wenzel Cartersville, GA

I've had Kaiser as my insurance for three years now. The first two years were good. Professional doctors and good coverage. Then the third year hit. My husband and I were going through some health issues that required help outside of KP. KP referred us to the clinic we needed to go through and after that everything went downhill. There has been so many horrible experience I don't know where to start... 1) The worst part of the whole experience has been trying to get test results back. The ordering doctor (outside of KP) is not getting any of the tests results he ordered. So I, the patient am having to call KP, check the app multiple times a day, and go as far as to e-mail my husband's urologist and have him send me the results via IM which I then screenshot and send to the ordering doctor. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS that the patient is having to do all of this. They didn't even call to give us the test results! 2) Every time I call KP I am transferred 2-3 times after an original HOUR WAIT. Then, once someone finally picks up I have had to re-explain our circumstances to each person who picks up the phone. Everytime I have to call KP it is guaranteed to be a lesson in frustration. 3) The coverage plan for anything OUTSIDE the KP buildings is horrible. Meaning 0 coverage. I am so disappointed in KP. I pay a lot of money out of every check and don't appreciate the rudeness, lack of empathy, and overall absolutely horrible customer service. I will NOT be choosing KP for my healthcare again in November and HIGHLY, HIGHLY encourage anyone that has a health issue more than routine medical care to NOT choose KP as their health insurance.

6 years ago

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Juan Gamarro Norwalk, CA

Kaiser does not want to help their patients. Kaiser will send you home or tell you to take care of yourself and might tall you to take any over the counter medicine so that they don't have to supply the medicine for you. They do not respect or take your wellbeing into any consideration. They treated me like nothing, I have so many bad experiences with then it's too much too list all. I wish it was easier to change coverage, I wish there was more help for consumers to fight against big medical companies like Kaiser, I feel that during this pandemic, Kaiser must be affiliated with the President's campaign or they absolutely subscribe to his agenda and they are avoiding testing their patients so that the real number of infections is not revealed. They act as if they want everyone in your home or surroundings to be gravely I'll or I'm not sure what it would take for then to offer real care. I am so upset and discouraged by Kaiser, I have never felt so helpless and in need.

6 years ago

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Adriana Ward, CO

I can only speak for Kaiser Permanente in Boulder & Denver Colorado. My experience is related exclusively to back issues and pain. If you have back issues as a result of an injury, do yourself a favor and do not sign up for Kaiser. Their approach to patient care is poor as best. You will have to spend your time fighting the system to get the correct diagnosis. The doctors will not listen to you or your injury concerns. The physical therapy department in Boulder, CO is really horrible. One of the worst I have ever been to. You will waste precious hours trying to find a practitioner that will listen to your concerns. As a patient, I have been dismissed in many occasions. No answers. No rehabilitation suggestions. Nothing. Just literature on how to live your life in chronic pain. I have had experience with their physiatrists and physical therapists. If you are in the Boulder/Denver area, consider Pace West Physical Therapy. Basically, given how precious time is, stay away from Kaiser Permanente. Spine West in Boulder, CO is also really good. Don't waste your time navigating the system at Kaiser Permanente.

6 years ago

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M Washington, DC

We've been with Kaiser for several years and have been generally satisfied with the service until now. Our family member was having some health problems that required medical attention, so we called his Kaiser doctor for medical advice/set up an appointment. We were told that because the insurance plan does not start until February 1, they could not help us THOUGH WE'VE BEEN WITH KAISER FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THE PLAN LAPSED ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. We asked if we could speak with our primary care provider over the phone. Again, they said we would have to wait until February 1 to speak to the family doctor. Our family member is an elderly patient with a history of stroke and a heart condition. We told the Kaiser representative (and later, member services) that we would like to speak with the primary care provider earlier than February 1 given the patient's medical history. The representative then connected us to member services to see if member services could expedite the activation (again, as a reminder, we had been Kaiser members for several years. Had it not been for Kaiser cancelling the plan, we would not even be in this situation), who repeated the same canned spiel about the February 1 start date. Did not seem to care one bit about the patient's health situation and circumstance, not to mention our concerns. At this point, we're exasperated --- it's stressful enough worrying about a family member's health, but add the administrative regs on top of it --- so then we ask then what our options are. Member services says we can go see another doctor outside of Kaiser --- to clarify, this would mean FINDING A NEW DOCTOR OUTSIDE OF THE KAISER NETWORK (calling various providers, asking for availability and whether they would take new patients, etc.) WHEN IN FACT THE KAISER PRIMARY PROVIDER HAS/KNOWS ALL OF THE PATIENTS MEDICAL HISTORY. Efficiency here? We pointed out the great inconvenience and really, utter lack of common sense in the member services rep's recommendation. We pressed on the urgency of the health issue. All we needed was one call with the primary care provider, but Kaiser, due to some strict and unproductive set of regulations, would not budge. At this point, there was no utility in continuing the conversation. So point-blank, we asked member services, "So do you expect the patient to just drop dead after waiting until February 1?" After a few seconds, they said they would talk to someone, put us on hold for at least several minutes (perhaps longer), and later, the line was disconnected so we did not even get to hear what they had to say. Had we been brand new members to Kaiser, it would be another story. But we have been dealing with Kaiser network for several years, and the patient has already established a lengthy medical record within Kaiser. On top of that, the patient has a medical history. So for Kaiser to refuse to accommodate and leave the patient with no choice but to either WAIT OUT THE SICKNESS until February 1, or see another doctor outside the network, to us, seemed counterproductive and not at all sympathetic or cognizant of the role and mission of providing medical care to sick patients. Apathy, laziness, and the "we don't really care because we're following regs and it's not our fault if the patient is unable to receive the proper medical care in due time" puts the interests of the corporation and bureaucracy first before patient care. I would also add that Kaiser still employs a doctor who has received dismal reviews from multiple patients for her incompetence, condescension, and laziness. Our family member had initially received medical care from Dr. Yu Sung K, but switched doctors as Ms. K always returned our calls several weeks late (with no apologies, just orders for the patient to take XYZ medication, to set up an appt, etc.), talked over the patient, and was overall an inattentive, poor medical "expert" who really should reconsider why she's in the field to begin with. If you look up her name, you might still be able to see some of the bad reviews from previous/current patients. Pure disappointment. We are most likely going to cancel or switch out of Kaiser, thanks to our stressful and frustrating experiences with the facility, the providers, and member services.

6 years ago

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patrick w bennett Ridgefield, WA

I Have been with Kaiser several years and have been somewhat satisfied with them. Recently I have had an umbilical hernia. I have been to two different doctors and was told that because I was a smoker that they would not do the surgery. At my last visit with Doctor Kim, I was told that if I quit smoking that day he would schedule the surgery in one month. Before surgery I would have to take a UA to make sure I was nicotine free, if not he would not do the surgery. When I asked him about someone that was a drug addict or alcoholic, he said they would also need a UA. He also said that anyone that was over weight would have to lose weight before they would do surgery. I told Doctor Kim that I would just wait and go to the emergency when it ruptured and he said they would just push it back in and send me home, really? When I complained to Kaiser, I received a letter and a phone call from them telling me they would look into it and get back to me. I still haven't heard a word. Don't waste your time with Kaiser.

6 years ago

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Guardian of Light Fort Collins, CO

Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance here in Northern Colorado is absolutely the worst you can have. After signing up you'll find Kaiser doesn't have enough physicians to care for you. As a result, you can expect to be forced to drive as far away as 90 miles just to see your PCP! The same or worse applies to specialists! Know this, despite having a major medical center here in Fort Collins as well as a Banner Medical CEnter & Hospital which is the affiliate of Kaiser, The Poudre Valley Fire Department and all the EMTs frequently refuse to take a patient in crisis to Kaiser/Banner because they are completely incapable of treating a major medical event. Does that make you feel good when your life hangs in the balance and the health insurance you bought from Kaiser Permanente is comprised of physicians some 90 miles away or simply doesn't have the necessary medical skills or equipment to save your life? Think about folks, think long and hard.

6 years ago

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Madeline (Maddi) Cohen Colorado Springs, CO

Richard, MY Love, Had a stroke a little over 2 weeks ago. We are both Kaiser Permanente customers. No rheab today or tomorrow as the center works with patients only on weekdays. It is time to call Kaiser to task. Richard is getting 1. Phisycal therapy, 2. Occupational therapy and 3. speech therapy. Kaiser denied him Accute Rehab because Kaiser said he didn't qualify by needing 3 types of therapy. It seems they don't know how to count anything but $$$$. All three of his KAISER doctors said he was a PRIME candidate for ACCUTE rehab ( 3 hours per day 7 days per week). Kaiser had a peer confrence with his dr. and still denied him the care he required to REGAIN his quality of life. He is getting about 2.5 hours of therapy 5 days per week. KAISER took over a week to do their process at which time Richard got minimal therapy. I am told that first week of therapy is the most important. Kaiser advertises THRIVE But their real ads should be "If it costs more than we want to pay GO DIE". Each time I see their ads I want to vomit. PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE TO YOUR FRIENDS WHO MAY HAVE KAISER OR MAY BE LOOKING FOR COVERAGE.

6 years ago

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WestSea Seattle, WA

You need Prior Auth for just about everything that you need. I got a referral for massage from my primary care provider, and they approved me to see a massage therapist that performed accupuncture on me! What a violation. I didn't want to go to that provider so I went to a different massage therapist. Now they are not covering the claims, and I tried to appeal, but it was denied because they said my massage therapist didn't get prior auth before performing the services. I was in a lot of pain and needed treatment right away. It's like they prefer you to be on drugs, which will probably be covered faster, than getting alternative therapy.

7 years ago

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Belinda Rachman Carlsbad, CA

Prescribed a high blood pressure meds that deplete potassium without telling me to take potassium tablets. When my potassium got so low that I fainted AND CRACKED MY HEAD OPEN they forgot to tell me I had a concussion. Later my primary care physician emailed me to ask if they had given me the concussion conversation. NO! I wasn’t supposed to be watching tv, reading, playing on my phone or computer. My mind was supposed to be resting. Gee thanks for not warning me! Yesterday I went to urgent care for ex rays to see if I fractured my humerus. After many ex rays the urgent care doctor gave me an emergency referral to orthopedics without telling me what he saw in the ex rays. A nurse felt sorry for me and slipped me a sling and said something about having a fracture. I called my emergency referral number first thing this morning. There wasn’t a single doctor at any location who could see me today. I leave tomorrow morning for 5 weeks. NO ONE WILL TELL ME HOW TO TREAT THIS UNTIL I GET BACK IN MID OCTOBER!!!! I have never seen such incompetence in my life!!!! I can’t wait to get Medicare next year and switch to Scripps!

7 years ago

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E.G. Silver Spring, MD

For 20 years I was a Kaiser client and rarely went there before I had kidney stones. A year ago, due to the incompetence of the attending physician and an erroneous diagnosis, I lost one kidney. Over the past year, I have had several operations. Now I have a firm belief that Kaiser is overwhelmingly losers and doctors from other countries who have received their diplomas based on the standards of backward educational institutions. Kaiser is 90% of hypocrites covering each other. Kaiser will offer you a flu vaccine every day, but you will never have an expensive operation. Instead, Kaiser will conduct hundreds of cheap tests and prescribe cheap drugs that will cost him nothing and will never do what is good for your health, but will be costly for Kaiser. If you value your health, run away from Kaiser before it's too late!

7 years ago

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Calista M Seattle, WA

First of all- I would like to express my upset and concern that I have now heard from TWO of your doctors that breast exams are not included in Preventative Health Checks. That is outrageous. Breast health is an important part of a women's overall health. I expect the general public does not know that KP does not think so. Secondly- I went into the clinic to see a new primary care doctor, and SPECIFICALLY ASKED for a breast exam at my appointment, which was my yearly preventative health check up. I told her I was experiencing pain and was concerned. She told me that KP doesn't bother to do breast exams anymore, as they turn up nothing. I told her that my friend just had a lump found in an exam (not at your clinic, clearly) and it was cancer (her reply was "well now I feel stupid"). Dr B did not perform and exam as I requested, nor did she order an exam (physical, mammogram, ultrasound, or other) for me. After leaving, and realizing nothing had been done about my request. I called to get another appointment, which was a ways out, with a new doctor. I no longer wished to see Dr B as I do not trust her judgement or skill. KP clinic called and changed my appointment several times and with several people. I then ended up seeing a fill-in physician, who really can do nothing for me, since she isn't a primary care provider. She also reiterated that breast health is not covered in KP preventative care. (Had I known this prior to switching to KP insurance/group I would have NEVER chosen the company). She did find a lump, and has referred me to get further testing. This should have been dealt with in my original appointment. . Dealing with KP has been a nightmare.

7 years ago

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marianne Finkel American Canyon, CA

After being a member for over 30 years, and lately going to routine mammogram, they told me that by copay is 472 dollars, so I cancelled appointment and contacted both our union benefit office and Kaiser patient services via email. After no responses, I walked into patient services office, where I was given a runaround. She told me that I have to contact my doctor about the coding of the mammogram, She never bothered to say, I will find out for you why this happened! and then she asked if I wanted her to mail the benefit booklet, obviously she was very bothered by me asking her questions. So I did now email my doctor, and waiting to hear from her. There is more to tell, but all i want to tell, that I feel like they are just herding me like cattle, no one has any answers, and no one cares.

7 years ago

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Mary M Littleton, CO

Kaiser Permanente is not healthcare but in fact, a big scam. The employees there don't take any ownership of wrongdoing. They messed up our accounts and our names and they sent the account to collection, even though my account states a ZERO balance AND my husband was paying a payment plan. When I called the office of financial counselling and I explained to them that the account has discrepancy and we needed to verify our payments and they said "sorry we will pull the file from collection and will contact you to verify." They never did and when I called them on June 21, they said we decided not to pull the file from collection. Not to mention that they hung up the phone while I was talking with them. They are very difficult to deal with and when you ask any questions they will transfer you to another department without answering. Please be warned the nightmare you are getting yourself into when you sign up for Kaiser.

7 years ago